A common creed among designers of various disciplines states that a design’s form should follow it’s function. That is to say: well designed products, documents, images, etc. should value practical utility over flashy decoration. This principle is especially true when designing typography. Despite having the benefit of language, poorly designed typographical elements can still fail to effectively communicate ideas. As we can see in the image above, the meaning of a design can quickly be lost by poor layout. While the styling of the text in this example helps readers connect the phrase “don’t worry, be happy,” its layout communicates the opposite sentiment, “don’t be happy, worry.” It’s safe to say that a graphic that leaves views with the opposite impression the designer intended, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
Pro Tip: Hire a quality designer!