Yes, there are rules to follow when designing! (some designer's may not believe this and some client's may not realise this!)

My personal 'code of conduct' as a designer or 'recipe' to successful creative design:
Your clients opinion, ideas, wants and needs
The target audience, how will they perceive the design, what are they expecting to see
Current trends, what is currently popular, in-fashion, funky?
Your ideas! Creativity and influences
Fourth is last for a reason and if applied correctly, the difference between good and great creative design.

A perfect solution can be achieved.