Regarding your thought, there's an aspect of design known as typography that directly deals with easing and encouraging reading. So I'm inclined to say no -- this is not a common designer anti-pattern -- and to say it is implies the ideal of the design profession lies with the least capable of its practitioners.
That's insincere.
May we please demonstrate respect and professionalism when discussing designers?
Making unsupported assertions about a perceived defect in an entire profession doesn't seem right to me, but I was very tempted to just write, "'Look at those dumb designers' seems to be a common developer anti-pattern." I don't think that sort of comment is necessary.
Thank you for understanding.