Embracing the Dreaded “Default”

Recently I was working on a design in Photoshop, and I needed some text. I did what any experienced Photoshop user would do in that situation: wait for the program to reopen after it crashed. All jesting aside, I grabbed the text tool and typed out some text. Then (wait for it), I stopped. That’s right, I left the text exactly as it was with the default font, tracking, and even size. And you know what? It looked great.

Now, if you are not a designer, first of all, why are you even here? Second, you’re probably thinking, “So what?” But let’s face it, if you’re here reading this blog, then you’re probably a designer.

There’s a reason that Adobe chose these defaults. It’s because they look good.

Continuing from this logic, you might be shocked, even offended, that I would even consider using the default typography that our favorite graphics app gave me. There’s a reason, though, that Adobe chose these defaults. It’s because they look good.

As designers, we have this insatiable obsession with being unique. It probably sounds ridiculous to you that I would propose this as a bad thing, but sometimes it really is.

Does our obsession with distinguishing ourselves go as far as to refuse the default options even if they fit with our design? In the situation I described earlier, the out-of-the-box typography blended well with the design I was working with, so I kept it. Later, I ended up tweaking the tracking a little, but fundamentally it was still the same as it was when I first plonked my finger down on the beloved “T” shortcut.

As much as our desire to be unique defines us as designers, it also cripples our ability to adapt to situations where we might not have the customization options we require. A blog, for instance, might not have the settings you want to display this title just right on the homepage. Too bad. We make do.

Man, I’m talking an awful lot about us and we, aren’t I? Can I just talk about me for a second?

I’ve always been one of those guys who immediately resets all the defaults. Be it a business card or web page, I simply loved knocking down everything and starting from scratch.

the default options are there to build upon, not destroy.

Recently, though, I’ve come to a realization: the default options are there to build upon, not destroy. They’re there as a starting point, from which you can reach your destination. Adobe has given you the building blocks, it’s high time you used them to make something beautiful.

What I’m asking isn’t crazy. All I want is for you to turn around and recognize the fact that defaults are there to help you, not hinder you. Reach out, and embrace them, for defaults are your friends.