Anti-Patterns
Things that make plugins look like boring traditional VSTs. Avoid these to create distinctive designs.
Visualizer Mistakes
Giant Meters Taking Over
❌ Vertical level meters taking 30%+ of the faceplate ✅ Right-size meters for their purpose
Wrong Visualizer for Plugin
❌ Clinical spectrum analyzer on a vintage tape plugin ✅ Visualizer matches plugin personality
Multiple Similar Visualizers
❌ Two spectrum analyzers side by side ✅ One visualizer that serves the primary purpose
Decoration-Only Visualizer
❌ Plasma effect on a utility gain plugin ✅ Visualizer shows relevant audio information
Layout Mistakes
Perfect Symmetry
❌ Everything perfectly centered and symmetric ✅ Intentional asymmetry creates interest
Crowded Controls
❌ Controls crammed to edges, no breathing room ✅ Generous margins and spacing
Uniform Sizes
❌ Every knob exactly the same size ✅ Size variation creates visual hierarchy
Tiny Plugin Name
❌ Plugin name crammed small at edge ✅ Prominent name, confident typography
Too Many Controls
❌ 15+ controls on one faceplate ✅ 10 or fewer, each earning its place
Section Overload
❌ Formal bordered sections everywhere ✅ Use proximity for grouping, sections sparingly
Naming Mistakes
Technical Names
❌ “Threshold (dB)” ❌ “Attack Time (ms)” ❌ “Cutoff Frequency” ✅ “CRUSH”, “SNAP”, “FREQ”
Unclear Abbreviations
❌ “Thrs”, “Atk”, “Rel” ✅ Full evocative words or clear abbreviations
Long Descriptive Names
❌ “Pre-Delay Time” ❌ “Modulation Depth” ✅ “GAP”, “DEPTH”
Boring Verb+Noun
❌ “Adjust Gain” ❌ “Set Level” ✅ “GAIN”, “LEVEL”
Sizing Mistakes
Faceplate Too Big
❌ Making faceplate huge to fit everything ✅ Resize controls, reduce count
Wrong Aspect Ratio
❌ Square when content is horizontal ❌ Very narrow without purpose ✅ Aspect ratio serves the layout
Ignoring Content
❌ Starting with faceplate size, cramming controls ✅ Start with controls, size faceplate to fit
Color Mistakes
Too Many Colors
❌ Different accent color for each control ✅ One cohesive palette, 3-4 colors max
No Temperature Consistency
❌ Mixing warm orange with cool blue ✅ Consistent warm OR cool palette
Wrong Personality
❌ Cold clinical colors on vintage plugin ✅ Colors match sonic character
Poor Contrast
❌ Light indicator on light background ✅ Sufficient contrast for readability
Style Mistakes
Inconsistent Widgets
❌ Mixing vintage knobs with digital sliders ✅ One consistent style throughout
Following Trends Blindly
❌ Copying whatever’s popular ✅ Designing for your plugin’s personality
Ignoring Platform
❌ Skeuomorphic design in minimal DAW ✅ Consider where plugin will live
The “Settings Panel” Look
Your plugin shouldn’t look like a software settings dialog.
Signs you’ve created a settings panel:
- Too many bordered sections
- Uniform control sizes
- Technical labels
- Gray/neutral colors only
- No visual hierarchy
- No personality
Signs you’ve created a plugin:
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Evocative control names
- Colors match sonic character
- One dominant element
- Breathing room
- Personality
Quick Checklist
Before finalizing, ask:
- Can I identify this plugin by silhouette alone?
- Does the design match the plugin’s sound?
- Is there one clear focal point?
- Do the colors feel right for the sonic character?
- Are the control names evocative?
- Is there enough breathing room?
- Does every element serve a purpose?
- Would I be proud to show this?
If you can’t check all boxes, revisit the design.
Recovery Tips
Too Crowded?
- Remove least important controls
- Increase spacing
- Make faceplate slightly larger
Too Boring?
- Add size variation
- Use evocative names
- Add one hero element
- Try asymmetric layout
Wrong Personality?
- Change color palette
- Switch visualizer type
- Update control names
- Reconsider widget styles
Too Cluttered?
- Remove sections, use proximity
- Reduce visualizer count to one
- Simplify color palette
- Remove decorative elements