Top 7 UI/UX Mistakes I See New Designers Make

If you're just starting out as a UI/UX designer, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and confusion. I remember when I first opened Figma and saw all those tools and frames—I had no idea where to begin. I just wanted to make things look good.

But here's the thing: UI/UX design is not only about how something looks. It's about how it works. And as I kept learning, exploring design communities, watching tutorials, and studying apps and websites, I began to notice some common patterns.

There are a few mistakes that many beginner designers (including myself) make in the early days. These mistakes are very normal, but the sooner you recognize them, the faster you’ll grow.

So here are the Top 7 UI/UX Mistakes I See New Designers Make, based on what I’ve observed, learned, and struggled with.

1. Designing Without Thinking About the User

Many new designers jump straight into designing the screen without asking a simple question: Who is this for?

If you don’t know who your user is, you might end up designing something that looks cool but is difficult to use.

For example, imagine you’re designing a website for kids, but you use very small fonts and dull colours. It might look clean to you, but it won’t connect with the user.

What to do instead:
Take a few minutes to imagine your user. Are they young or old? Tech-savvy or not? What problem are they trying to solve with your app or website? Write it down and keep it in mind while designing.

2. Focusing Too Much on the Visuals, Not the Experience

When I first started, I spent hours choosing the perfect color palette and font pairing. But I didn’t think about how users would actually move through the app or where they might get stuck.

A good-looking design is useless if people don’t know how to use it.

Examples of this mistake:

• No feedback after clicking a button

• A confusing layout with too many options

• Putting important buttons in hard-to-reach places

What to do instead:
Try to imagine how someone would use the screen step-by-step. Can they easily understand where to click? Are the next steps clear? If you can, ask someone else to look at your design and explain what they think each button or section does.

3. No Clear Spacing or Visual Hierarchy

This one is super common. Everything is the same size, close together, and nothing stands out.

When users look at your screen, they should be able to quickly understand what’s important. Big headlines, smaller text, and clear spacing help them scan and find what they need.

What to do instead:
Use larger font sizes for headings. Leave space between sections. Group similar elements together. Let your design breathe. Don’t be afraid of white space—it helps organize everything.

4. Using Too Many Effects Like Shadows, Gradients, or Colors

At first, I thought adding shadows, gradients, and colorful backgrounds made my design “modern.” But in reality, it often made things messy and hard to focus on.

Too many effects can make your design feel heavy and confusing.

What to do instead:
Keep it simple. Use effects only when needed. One soft shadow is enough. One or two colors are better than five. Always ask yourself: does this effect help the user, or is it just decoration?

5. Inconsistent Styles Across Screens

Sometimes, a design has different font sizes on every screen, buttons that look different, or icons that don’t match. This happens when you design one screen at a time without a clear system.

Why this matters:
Consistency makes your design feel professional. It also makes it easier for users to understand your product quickly.

What to do instead:
Create a small design system. Pick one font for headings and one for body text. Use the same button style everywhere. Choose one icon set and stick with it. This doesn’t have to be fancy—just keep it simple and repeatable.

6. Not Thinking About Mobile Screens

This is something many new designers forget. Most people today use websites and apps on their phones. If you design only for desktop, you might miss a big part of your audience.

What goes wrong:

• Text becomes too small on mobile

• Buttons are hard to tap

• Layouts break or look awkward

What to do instead:
Always check your designs on mobile screen sizes. Figma has mobile frame options—use them. Make sure your buttons are big enough for thumbs and your text is easy to read on small screens.

7. Waiting Too Long to Ask for Feedback

In the beginning, I felt nervous showing my work to others. I wanted it to be “perfect” first. But what I learned is—design gets better when you share early.

If you wait too long to get feedback, you might spend hours going in the wrong direction.

What to do instead:
Share your work even if it’s not finished. Ask a friend, classmate, or online community what they think. You’ll learn faster, fix mistakes early, and grow more confident over time.

Final Thoughts

Making mistakes is part of learning. Everyone does it—including professional designers. What matters is that you stay open to learning, keep asking questions, and continue improving your process.

If you're reading this and thinking, “I’ve made all of these mistakes,” that’s okay. So did I. The important thing is that you’re here, learning and trying to get better.

Design is a journey. And every screen you create, every feedback you receive, every mistake you fix—it all helps you grow.