How to Recognize Good Design

(Or at least why you like that one Instagram account so much.)

You know that moment when you land on someone’s profile, website, or brand and think: "This just looks… good."

You might not know exactly why. But it feels clean. Connected. Professional.

It just works.

That’s good design.

And no – you don’t need to be a designer to recognize it. Good design isn’t just about aesthetics.

It guides your attention, calms your eyes, and leaves an impression. It knows what it wants to say – and knows when to stay silent.

Everything in it's place (and nothing screaming)

When a layout is well-designed, you feel it.

You know where to look. What matters most.

Your eyes move naturally – from headline to subhead, from image to button.

In bad design? Everything shouts at once.

And nothing sticks.

Good design breathes. Bad design pushes.

Typography speaks before the words do

Fonts are one of the easiest ways to recognize good design — even before you read a single word.

They have voice. Emotion. Style.

A sleek serif on a perfume bottle says luxury.

Comic Sans on an invoice says… yikes.

A good font doesn’t have to be “pretty.” But it has to be right.

Color isn’t decoration. It’s direction.

Colors in design are not confetti. They set the tone and lead emotions. Connect – or confuse.

Good design uses color with intention.

It knows which color invites action, and which one lets you rest.

Too many colors = visual noise. Two or three intentional ones = visual poetry.

Spacing, Alignment, and the Invisible Ways We Recognize Good Design

No one says, “Wow, look at those margins!” But when they’re off – you feel it.

Something’s just… not quite right.

Good design respects the tiny things. Because empty space isn’t empty. It’s alive.

Even the spacing between letters can change the entire vibe.

In the end – it’s what lingers

Good design is like good music.

You don’t need to understand the theory to feel when it flows.

That’s why that Instagram account feels cohesive.

That’s why that website looks polished.

Because someone cared. Someone connected the dots and created a space that looks and feels just right.

Final thoughts?

Good design doesn’t shout. It knows how to pause.

It knows who it’s speaking to.

And it leaves a mark that lasts longer than the scroll.

If you want your brand to feel like “yes, this is it” – you know where to find me. 😉

hello@koranaart.com