I've been reviewing beginner portfolios for years, and the same mistakes come up over and over. Not technique — fundamentals.

1. Hierarchy isn't optional. If everything is the same size, nothing matters. Pick ONE thing you want people to see first. Make it bigger, bolder, or brighter than everything else.

2. White space is a feature. Beginners fill every pixel. Pros let the design breathe. When in doubt, add more space — not more stuff.

3. Limit your palette. Two to three colours max until you really understand colour theory. A tight palette always looks more polished than a rainbow.

4. Typography carries 80% of the design. A great layout with bad font choices will always look off. Learn to pair fonts properly — it's the fastest way to level up.

5. Steal like an artist. Every great designer started by studying what already works. Rebuild designs you admire. Not to copy — to understand the decisions behind them.

If any of these hit home, that's exactly what we dig into inside The Design Lab. We break down real design decisions, share resources, and give honest feedback.