Every designer has been there: tweaking a button alignment by half a pixel, reworking a shadow for the tenth time, or agonizing over a font size. It’s the quest for pixel-perfect perfection, and while it feels noble, it can be a slippery slope into overworking—and overrunning deadlines. The flip side? Settling for “that’ll do” can leave your work feeling half-baked. So how do you strike the right balance?

Let’s explore how to deliver exceptional designs without getting bogged down by perfectionism—or compromising on quality.

The Pixel Perfect Trap

Pixel perfection is often the designer’s Achilles’ heel. We want everything to align, balance, and harmonize so perfectly that it borders on obsession. But perfection is subjective, and in the real world, users care more about usability and functionality than whether your grid system is flawless.

Why it’s a problem:

• Time Sink: Endless fine-tuning eats up valuable time that could be spent on more impactful tasks.

• Diminishing Returns: Minor adjustments often don’t provide noticeable benefits to the user.

• Scope Creep: Over-perfection can lead to expanding the project scope without realizing it.

Key takeaway: Perfectionism has its place, but it shouldn’t derail progress or burn you out.

When “That’ll Do” Isn’t Enough

On the flip side, settling for “good enough” can be just as harmful. Designs that aren’t polished or functional can damage user trust, fail to meet goals, or reflect poorly on your skills as a designer.

Signs you’ve settled too soon:

• Users struggle to navigate your design.

• The branding feels inconsistent or unclear.

• The client isn’t happy with the results (and neither are you).

Pro Tip: If the design doesn’t meet the project’s core objectives, “that’ll do” is not an option.

The 85% Rule: Knowing When to Stop

One way to balance perfection and progress is what I call the 85% Rule. Aim to get your design to 85% perfection—where it’s functional, polished, and meets the project’s goals—then stop tweaking. The last 15% often involves diminishing returns, where the changes only satisfy your inner perfectionist.

How to apply the 85% Rule:

1. Focus on Priorities: What elements have the biggest impact on the user experience? Perfect those first.

2. Set Time Limits: Allocate a fixed amount of time for refinement and stick to it.

3. Get Feedback Early: Share work-in-progress designs with stakeholders to ensure you’re on the right track before you overcommit to details.

Example: In a recent project, I spent hours trying to make the hover states on buttons feel just right. Then I realized the users were more concerned with how fast the page loaded than how smooth the animation was. I shifted focus, and the client was thrilled.

How to Decide When to Push for Perfection

There are times when pushing for perfection is absolutely worth it. Knowing when to put in that extra effort is key.

When to go the extra mile:

• High-Visibility Areas: Hero sections, branding elements, or CTAs deserve extra attention.

• Key User Interactions: If it affects how users engage with the product, invest the time to make it great.

• Portfolio Pieces: If it’s a project you’re proud of and plan to showcase, polish it to your heart’s content.

Pro Tip: Always ask yourself, “Will the user notice or care about this detail?” If the answer is no, move on.

Tools and Techniques to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Streamlining your design process can help you avoid the pitfalls of over-perfection or under-delivery. Here’s what works:

• Use Design Systems: Pre-built components and consistent guidelines save time and ensure quality.

• Automate Repetitive Tasks: Tools like Figma plugins can handle spacing, alignment, and consistency checks for you.

• Leverage Collaboration: Feedback from peers or clients can help you spot what needs refining and what’s already good enough.

The Client Perspective: Managing Expectations

Sometimes, the “pixel perfect vs. that’ll do” debate isn’t even yours—it’s the client’s. Some clients expect perfection down to the pixel, while others are happy with quick-and-dirty solutions. Managing their expectations is critical.

How to navigate client expectations:

• Set Benchmarks: Clearly define what success looks like in the brief (e.g., functional prototypes vs. polished designs).

• Show Progress: Share drafts early and explain what’s still in progress to avoid unrealistic expectations.

• Be Transparent About Trade-offs: Explain how spending time on one area may mean cutting corners elsewhere.

Final Thoughts

The sweet spot between “pixel perfect” and “that’ll do” is where great design lives. It’s about knowing when to push for perfection and when to move on, always keeping the user’s needs and the project’s goals at the forefront.

Remember: users don’t care if a shadow is 5% too dark or if the button is two pixels out of alignment. They care about whether your design works and delivers value. Strive for excellence, not obsession, and you’ll create designs that truly make an impact.

What’s your approach to balancing perfection and progress? Let me know—I’d love to hear your take.