What to do when a design isn't working

 Ran into this interesting idea:

Designers .... follow the fundamental principles of classic design: 

• emphasis, 
• balance and alignment, 
• contrast, 
• repetition, 
• proportion, 
• movement, 
• white space

to ... solve problems, and to create beautiful and functional spaces. 

When a solution, isn't working, just check off how each principle is addressed.  This will usually identify where the problem is, and how to fix it.