Starting out in UI/UX design can feel exciting—but also overwhelming. With so many tools, trends, and principles to learn, it’s easy to fall into common traps. The truth is, even talented beginners can make UI/UX design mistakes that hurt their growth, projects, and portfolios.
This article breaks down the most common mistakes new designers make—and how to avoid them. If you’re just getting started or currently enrolled in the UI/UX Design course, you’ll want to read this carefully.
Mistake 1: Skipping the UX Process
Don’t Jump Straight to Designing
It’s tempting to dive into Figma or Photoshop and start designing screens. But without understanding user needs, you’re just decorating pixels.
Good UX starts with:
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User research
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Problem statements
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Wireframes
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User flows
Odurinde’s UI/UX Design course walks you through this process step-by-step so you develop a strategy before style.
Mistake 2: Designing Without a Grid
Layouts Need Structure
A design without a grid is like a building without a blueprint.
Common layout issues:
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Misaligned content
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Inconsistent spacing
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Unbalanced visual hierarchy
Always use a grid system to create structure, readability, and consistency. Tools like Adobe XD and Figma make it easy, and they’re covered in detail inside the course.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Accessibility
Design for Everyone
Many new designers forget that users come with different needs—visual, motor, or cognitive.
Simple accessibility practices include:
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Adequate contrast between text and background
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Clear labels on form fields
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Avoiding color as the only indicator
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Keyboard navigation support
Learn how to implement these best practices in the Odurinde UI/UX Design course. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about being usable for everyone.
Mistake 4: Using Too Many Fonts or Colors
Simplicity Wins
It’s easy to get carried away with decorative fonts and a rainbow of colors. But that leads to clutter and confusion.
Tips for visual consistency:
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Stick to 1-2 typefaces (with 2–3 weights max)
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Use a single color palette (primary, secondary, neutral)
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Define a UI style guide with button, form, and link standards
Consistency improves user trust and aesthetic appeal. The UI/UX Design course includes lessons on typography, color theory, and branding in design.
Mistake 5: No User Testing or Feedback
Always Test, Always Iterate
Don’t assume your design works just because it looks good. The best designers test early and often—even if it’s informal.
Simple testing methods:
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Clickable prototypes
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5-second tests
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A/B comparisons
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Asking peers for honest feedback
Odurinde’s course teaches you how to create and share prototypes using tools like Figma and Adobe XD—plus how to run quick tests that inform better decisions.
Mistake 6: Overusing Trends
Trends Fade, Principles Stay
Neumorphism, glassmorphism, super-rounded corners—they’re cool now, but they might not work everywhere. Following every trend can dilute your design’s usability.
Instead:
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Master timeless design principles (contrast, proximity, balance)
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Understand why a trend works, not just how it looks
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Adapt trends to fit user needs, not the other way around
Inside the UI/UX Design course, you’ll learn how to combine creativity with usability—so you never sacrifice function for style.
Mistake 7: Poor Mobile Responsiveness
Think Mobile First (or at Least Mobile Friendly)
Many new designers focus only on desktop views. But mobile users make up more than half of web traffic. If your design isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s not user-friendly.
Avoid:
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Tiny tap targets
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Horizontal scrolling
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Hard-to-read text sizes on mobile
The course teaches responsive principles and adaptive layouts so you can confidently design for all screen sizes.
Mistake 8: Not Explaining Design Decisions
Case Studies Need Context
If you’re building a portfolio, don’t just upload final screens. Employers want to know:
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What was the problem?
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What did you try?
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Why did you choose this direction?
Explain your thinking. The Odurinde UI/UX Design course teaches storytelling for case studies, which makes your portfolio 10x more compelling.
Mistake 9: Not Mastering the Tools
Figma, XD, Photoshop, Illustrator
You don’t need to be an expert in everything, but you should be comfortable with the major tools. Many beginners only learn one tool and ignore the others.
Why that’s risky:
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Different teams use different tools
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Some tools are better for prototyping, others for branding
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It limits your flexibility and job opportunities
That’s why the UI/UX Design course covers multiple tools, helping you stay adaptable and professional.
Final Thoughts
UI/UX design is a powerful skill—but only if it’s practiced thoughtfully. Avoiding these beginner mistakes can fast-track your growth and help you create meaningful, user-centered work.
The best way to learn all of this in one place? Take the UI/UX Design course by Odurinde. It’s project-based, beginner-friendly, and designed to help you avoid the pitfalls that hold most designers back.
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