What visual design mistakes are you making in your content strategy?

This is something I have done for a long, long time. Coherence and consistency are the two C's I strictly adhere to. That subconsciously builds a brand recognition in the minds of people who see it on a day to day basis.

Steve Jobs once said, "Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." This underscores the importance of a consistent visual style. It's not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a seamless user experience. Brands need to ensure that their visual identity is not only appealing but also functional across various platforms.

Proper use of white space is crucial. It's not just empty space; it’s a powerful tool for organizing content and improving readability. Peter Drucker’s insight, "The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said," applies here. White space communicates as effectively as words or images.

The impact of color choices cannot be overstated. Andrew Carnegie’s belief that "Attention is the currency of the modern world" holds true here. Colors attract attention and evoke emotions, making them a pivotal aspect of effective content strategy.

Business requirement: "We have this great story we want the world to know but we took no images. Oh wait... here's something.... a screenshot of a screenshot of something that was on a screen at a conference. Use that.". Possible solutions: - firstly, ask for what you need to produce quality content (and keep asking) - secondly (because you're a go-getter), use all existing low-res images for the story "en masse" to create a collage, or - thirdly, use graphic elements instead of images or a combination of low-res images + grahpic elements, or - lastly, abandon the use of the images and create an infographic Whatever the case, please don't use irrelevant images. You break brand trust and devalue the message you're trying to convey.

High-quality, relevant images reinforce your message. Bill Gates’ statement, "Content is king," highlights the importance of content quality, which extends to imagery. The right images can elevate content, making it more engaging and memorable.

Ignoring accessibility and usability is a significant oversight. As Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, suggests, "The fastest way to change yourself is to hang out with people who are already the way you want to be." Similarly, designing with accessibility in mind means aligning your content with the best practices and standards that exemplify exceptional user experiences.

Designs have been the main content key to an effective communication for a long time. While we are all looking for the new trends and eye catching designs. It’s important to note that being consistent in every element matters.

One visual design mistake I've realized I'm making in my content strategy is not optimizing for different platforms. Each platform has its unique layout, audience, and best practices. For instance, what works visually on a desktop may not translate well on mobile. I need to ensure that my visual content is responsive and looks good on any device or platform it's viewed on. This includes considering aspect ratios, image resolution, and how elements scale on various screens. Additionally, I should pay attention to the load times of visual elements, as heavy graphics can slow down page loading, negatively impacting user experience and SEO. Moving forward, I'll be addressing these aspects to refine my visual content strategy further.