Sometimes the best work is the one that bends the grid.
There’s beauty in restraint—but there’s also power in rebellion. In this project, I intentionally broke alignment and hierarchy rules to capture attention. I break down why I did it, how I knew it could still function, and what happened when it launched.
This Design Broke The Rules (And It Worked)
There’s something exhilarating about breaking the rules—especially in design, where grids, alignment, and hierarchy often feel like sacred laws. Don’t get me wrong, I love a clean, well-structured layout as much as the next creative. But sometimes, the best work comes from bending those rules just enough to make people stop and take notice.
I recently worked on a project where I purposely threw out some traditional design guidelines. Instead of perfectly aligning every element, I let things collide. Instead of strictly following hierarchy, I played with scale and placement to create tension. Why? Because the goal was to capture attention in a crowded space where perfectly polished designs were just blending into the background.
Of course, this wasn’t a reckless decision. I trusted my experience and instincts, knowing when and where to break the rules without losing clarity. I kept usability front and center, making sure the key information remained easy to find and understand. Before the final launch, I shared the design internally to catch any rough spots and fine-tune the balance between chaos and coherence.
The result? The design didn’t just stand out—it sparked conversations. It felt alive, dynamic, and unexpected. People weren’t just scrolling past; they were stopping, engaging, and remembering the brand behind it.
Here’s the takeaway: design rules exist for good reasons—they keep things clear, readable, and professional. But every once in a while, breaking those rules with intention can lead to something fresh and powerful. The key is knowing why you’re breaking them, and making sure the design still works for the people who need it.
