At a recent meeting of Business Networking South Leicestershire, members were treated to an engaging and eye-opening 10-minute presentation from Clare McCabe of Purple Star Design and Purple Star Books.
Clare’s talk blended humour, experience, and practical insight — shining a spotlight on something many businesses overlook: the true impact of good (and bad) design.
A Lifetime in Design
Clare began by sharing her impressive background in the creative industry, highlighting a career that spans decades:
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22 years running Purple Star Design
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40 years working as a graphic designer
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18 years as a digital designer
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15 years in packaging design
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9 years as a Canva trainer
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18 years in marketing
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10 years as a book publisher
Her passion for design was clear, proudly describing herself as a #typographygeek, #creative director, and #marketing enthusiast.
When Design Goes Wrong…
Clare then took the room on a very entertaining journey through 17 examples of poor design — and this is where the presentation really came to life.
Some examples were genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, particularly those involving bad kerning (letter spacing). Classic design mishaps like:
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“Bull Titan US”
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“Massage Therapist”
…became something very different (and unintended!) when spacing went wrong.
Other examples highlighted common pitfalls such as:
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Overcrowded layouts
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Too many fonts competing for attention
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Spelling mistakes
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Poor hierarchy and readability
The key takeaway?
Bad design doesn’t just look unprofessional — it can completely change your message.
How Good Design Solves the Problem
Clare didn’t just highlight problems — she showed how her structured design process avoids them.
By focusing on clarity, consistency, and purpose, she ensures that every piece of branding or marketing material:
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Communicates clearly
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Reflects the client’s values
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Engages the intended audience
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Avoids costly or embarrassing mistakes
Real-World Design in Action
To bring everything together, Clare showcased examples of her own work, including projects for:
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Creature Comforts Upholstery
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Bright Owl Copywriting
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NinjaHR
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Gifted with ADHD
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Claire Baker Coaching
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Mojo Accounting
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Sarah Lane Independent Celebrant
Each example demonstrated how thoughtful, professional design elevates a brand and strengthens its message.
The Key Message
Clare left the room with a simple but powerful message:
Good branding is good communication.
It’s not just about making things look nice — it’s about making sure your audience understands you clearly, instantly, and correctly.
Fall in Love with Networking Again
Business Networking South Leicestershire is a friendly and supportive networking group where local businesses connect in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.
There’s no hard selling — just genuine conversations, great people, and plenty of opportunities to learn (and laugh!).
⭐ Your first meeting is free and includes breakfast.
Find out more here:
👉 https://businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk/
Or get in touch to book your visit:
👉 https://businessnetworkingleicestershire.co.uk/contact-us/
Come along and fall in love with networking again.
