What to Do When You Dislike Your Own Design

If you have designed absolutely anything ever, chances are you have designed something you ended up hating. Whether it was an invite, a card, or a website — most people have created something, hated it, and started over. 

What happens if your job is strictly to design these things every day? What do you do when you hate your own work, but you’re on a deadline?   

At Ceisler Media, many of our clients need digital and print collateral to get their message out. I design social media graphics, newsletters, reports, fact sheets, post cards and even billboards – five days a week. 

Spending hours creating something only to absolutely hate it is one of the most frustrating and stressful feelings in the world. However, it doesn’t make you a bad designer. It’s more often a sign that your taste and style is evolving. Your usual method didn’t work in this instance, so you need to adapt and change it to fit the project. 

Here’s how to handle it productively. 

Pause Before You Panic 

Step away for 30 minutes. Sometimes you need a break from working on the same thing for a long period of time. 

Ask yourself: 

• Do I hate this design because it’s bad or because I’ve stared at it too long? 

• Is it actually not working and the design principles are off or is it just boring? 

Figure Out What You Hate  

Break your design down. What’s the issue? 

• Is the color palette off? 

• Is the typography plain or inconsistent? 

• Does the layout feel cluttered or empty? 

• Is there a need for an additional visual element? 

Consider the Original Request 

• Does the design meet the client’s requests/goals? 

• Is the message clear? 

• Is it accessible and usable? 

Do a Quick Redesign 

Instead of editing the piece into oblivion, do the following. A new look will usually reveal a better direction much more quickly.

• Create 3 radically different versions in 30–60 minutes. 
• Change the layouts and structure, not just minor details. 
• Experiment with different hierarchies, grids and concepts. 

Get Outside Feedback 

Share the work with another designer or a colleague. 

Ask specific questions: 

• Does the layout feel balanced? 

• Where do your eyes go first? 

• Is this too much copy? 

• Is there not enough info?  

• Do the colors feel appropriate? 

Know When to Let Go and Move On 

Sometimes a design is simply good enough. It may not feel extraordinary or align with your personal preferences, but a simple solution is often exactly what the client needs to achieve their goal. 

You can dislike a design and still recognize that it does its job well. Creating work outside your usual style doesn’t make the final design bad. It just means you prioritized effectiveness over ego.Disliking your own design doesn’t mean you’re a bad designer. Sometimes growth requires stepping away from your usual style, adapting to new trends or experimenting with techniques that feel unfamiliar. 

It’s unrealistic to love every project you create. The real goal is to improve with each piece, even if it means being a little uncomfortable along the way.