Mistakes, ADHD, and the Human Side of Branding
The photograph captures a work desk cluttered with papers, with someone using a computer and a drawing pad. The image has a notebook and a pair of glasses on either side of a keyboard.
Blind Spots, Brain Quirks, and Brand Consistency: Why Attention to Detail Isn’t About Perfection
Recently, I reached out to two design agencies about potential positions. I spent hours crafting what I thought was the perfect email — polished, enthusiastic, professional. And then… I sent one agency an email that mentioned the other agency by name.
My heart sank the moment I realised.
For most people, attention to detail is automatic. For me, with dyslexia and ADHD, it’s something I literally can’t see until it hits me in the face. And this isn’t a one-off. It’s been my biggest challenge throughout my working career. Small mistakes have repeatedly been pointed out to me, often without support or guidance to address them. I’ve no doubt it’s been a subtle but significant factor in moments like redundancy — and even had a manager quietly assume I was incompetent and not cut out for design work because of it, which made me question everything about myself, even though I know my work speaks for itself.
And because ADHD loves to pile on, I didn’t just shrug it off. I spent days overthinking that email, replaying it in my head, and almost hating myself for it. Thank you, ADHD.
Yes, I spend hours writing emails and applications — not because I’m slow, but because it genuinely takes me that long to think of the right words to sell myself. To get the tone right. To show my value. To sound like the confident, capable designer I know I am. I personally have to take a little longer to get it right, and I physically have to force myself to slow down when I’m working — something I’m actively working on with a psychologist. And yet, even then, details can slip through.
But here’s the thing: even those who seem “perfect” make mistakes. Everyone does. The difference is that in design, mistakes aren’t just small — they can make or break a project, a campaign, or a brand. That pressure amplifies the impact of errors for designers, which is why systems are so crucial.
Checklists, templates, peer reviews, spell-check tools, design workflows — these aren’t just “extra steps.” They’re safeguards. They make sure the creative work we pour ourselves into isn’t undermined by the things our brains skip over. They’re especially vital for those of us whose neurodivergence means our eyes — and sometimes our brains — just don’t catch what others do.
And here’s where it ties back to branding. Brand consistency lives or dies by attention to detail. Small inconsistencies — like a misaligned logo, a typo, or the wrong colour — chip away at recognition and trust. But there’s another side too: the human factor. Brands aren’t just perfect systems; they’re created and maintained by humans, each with their own strengths and blind spots.
Maybe that’s why kindness matters here. Giving a little grace to those who struggle with details doesn’t mean lowering standards. It means acknowledging that human error is inevitable, and that thoughtful systems and processes are what keep a brand strong. In fact, how a brand — or a company — responds to imperfections can become part of its personality, its authenticity, and its trustworthiness.
So yes, I make mistakes. I occasionally send out the wrong name in an email. I occasionally overthink and hate myself for days. But with smart systems, self-awareness, and a bit of kindness — both to ourselves and others — I can still deliver polished, consistent, and authentic work that strengthens brands and relationships. Attention to detail isn’t about perfection. It’s about building processes that respect human limitations and support excellence. It’s about remembering that brands — like people — are built on trust, and trust comes from consistency, transparency, and a little bit of grace.
