Why “Good Enough” Design Can Be Better Than Perfect

When I first started designing, I thought my job was to chase perfection.
Every poster, every logo, every social media visual,I obsessed over details most people would never notice. I’d spend hours moving text by a few pixels, testing out twenty shades of blue, or rewriting a copy until it sounded “clever enough.”

Back then, I believed that perfection was what made design good.

But the more I worked on real-world projects,branding international festivals, building campaigns for wellness platforms, designing print and digital assets for clients across industries,the more I realized something surprising: clients didn’t care about perfection. They cared about effectiveness.

When Perfection Backfires

One story sticks with me. I was working on a campaign for a wellness startup. I created three versions of a social media graphic: clean, minimal layouts with carefully chosen typography and color palettes. I spent days refining them.

When I finally shared the designs, the client immediately chose the first draft. “This one works,” they said.

They didn’t ask about the subtle gradient I’d finessed in version two. They didn’t notice the new font pairing in version three. What mattered was that version one already communicated the message clearly, fit their brand, and was ready to go live.

That was a wake-up call. All my extra hours of polishing weren’t adding value,they were just adding delay.

The Lesson From Events & Festivals

The same thing happened when I worked on branding for international food and wine festivals. With events of that scale, deadlines are tight and stakes are high. Posters, flyers, billboards, gates, stalls, digital ads,all have to go out on schedule.

There’s simply no room for perfectionism. What matters is consistency, clarity, and speed. A “perfect” design delivered too late is worse than a “good enough” design that’s up in front of thousands of people on time.

And you know what? The audience never noticed the “imperfections.” What they noticed was that the event felt cohesive, professional, and inviting.

Redefining “Good Enough”

When I say “good enough,” I don’t mean careless or sloppy. I mean:

• The message is clear.

• The visuals align with the brand.

• The design works across mediums.

• It’s delivered when it’s needed.

That’s good enough. And in practice, it’s often better than perfect because it’s real, live, and useful.

What This Changed For Me

Now, instead of obsessing over polish, I focus on impact. I ask myself:

• Will this design help the client reach their audience faster?

• Is this something their customers will understand immediately?

• Is this design solving the actual problem?

If the answer is yes, then the design is already successful.

When I applied this mindset, I noticed something else: clients were happier. Instead of waiting weeks for “perfect,” they got what they needed sooner. They could test, iterate, and come back with real feedback. And that feedback led to better design than my solo perfectionism ever could.

As designers, we’re wired to care about the details. And yes, details matter. But the deeper truth I’ve learned through years of designing,from wellness brands to international festivals to startups,is this:

Design is not about being perfect. It’s about being useful at the right time.✨

The next time I catch myself over-polishing, I remind myself: a poster that goes live and gets people to a festival, or a post that reaches someone on a tough day, will always matter more than a perfect design no one ever sees.

Sometimes, “good enough” isn’t just enough,it’s exactly what’s needed.