Hey there, fellow designers! Let’s talk about something we all experience but rarely address: overthinking. It’s that nagging voice in our heads that tells us our work isn’t quite there yet, pushing us to tweak and perfect until we’re too exhausted to create. We’ve all been there, obsessing over every pixel and second-guessing every choice. Here are 15 signs that you’re overthinking your design, each a little too relatable.

1. Endless Font Hunt

If you’ve spent more time scrolling through font libraries than actually designing, you’re overthinking it. Choosing fonts becomes a rabbit hole, where you audition more fonts than a Broadway casting call. Just pick one already; Helvetica isn’t holding a grudge.

2. Color Palette Paralysis

Your color palette has more variations than a rainbow on steroids. Does anyone even notice the difference between #FF5733 and #FF5734? Probably not. Commit to a palette and move on before your eyes start bleeding.

3. Perfection Paralysis

You’re endlessly tweaking every tiny detail, convinced the universe’s fate hinges on the kerning of a single letter. Remember, perfection is subjective and often overrated. Sometimes, good enough really is good enough​.

4. Too Many Drafts

If you’ve saved more drafts of your design than the number of episodes in your favorite Netflix series, you’re overthinking. At some point, you’ve got to hit “publish” and let it go. Your 27th draft probably isn’t that different from your 5th.

5. Obsession with Trends

Redesigning your project five times because a new design trend popped up on Dribbble? Trends are fleeting; good design is timeless. Focus on creating something lasting rather than chasing every new shiny thing that comes along.

6. Constant Second-Guessing

You’ve asked for feedback from everyone, including the office cat. When you can’t make a decision without consulting every living being around, it’s a clear sign you’re overthinking. Trust yourself a little more.

7. Multiple Versions for Feedback

You create 20 versions of the same design just to gather opinions. At this rate, you might as well run for public office with all the polling you’re doing. Stick with your gut on the first or second draft and refine from there.

8. Fear of Publishing

Your design is 99% done, but that last 1% is holding you hostage. Fear of imperfection keeps you from releasing your work. Newsflash: nothing is ever perfect. Just do it. Done is better than perfect​.

9. Neglecting Intuition

You’ve stopped trusting your gut and rely solely on analytics and feedback. While data is important, sometimes your initial instinct is spot on. Trust it. Your intuition got you into design in the first place.

10. Overloading on Tutorials

You’ve watched every design tutorial on YouTube, convinced the secret to perfection is out there. Spoiler: it’s not. Practice and experience trump tutorials. Sometimes you just need to dive in and get your hands dirty.

11. Compulsive Redesigning

You keep redesigning the same project, convinced the next iteration will be “the one.” It’s a vicious cycle. Ship it and let the feedback guide your improvements. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in redesign purgatory forever.

12. Infinite Research Loop

Your “research” phase has turned into a never-ending black hole of Pinterest boards and design blogs. Research is great, but at some point, you’ve got to start creating. Don’t let inspiration turn into procrastination.

13. Micromanaging Pixels

You’re zoomed in at 800%, fixing the tiniest pixel misalignment. Unless your user base has bionic eyes, they won’t notice. Step back and look at the big picture. Your design should work as a whole, not just up close.

14. Fear of Criticism

You’re so afraid of negative feedback that you never show your work. Criticism is part of growth. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep designing. The best designs come from iteration and feedback, not isolation.

15. And Finally – You’ve Lost the Fun

Remember when designing was fun? Now it feels like a chore because you’re overthinking everything. Rediscover the joy of creation and let go of the tiny details sometimes. Design should be fulfilling, not stressful.

Conclusion

Overthinking is a common trap for us designers, often leading to endless tweaks and a loss of joy in our work. By recognizing these signs and trusting our instincts, we can reclaim our creativity and efficiency. Remember, perfection is subjective, and done is better than perfect. Embrace the fun in design, accept constructive feedback, and keep moving forward. Let’s stop sweating the small stuff and focus on what really matters – creating designs that resonate and inspire. Keep it light, keep it fun, and don’t let overthinking steal your creative thunder.