Design patterns are potent tools that solve recurring problems and form the backbone of maintainable, scalable, and robust systems. However, every silver lining has its cloud. In this session, we delve into the often-overlooked downsides of specific design patterns that, when misapplied, can lead to unintended complexity, reduced maintainability, and diminished productivity. Through real-world scenarios and practical examples, we'll expose how even well-respected patterns sometimes result in convoluted code, performance bottlenecks, and challenging debugging sessions. Join us to uncover these hidden pitfalls and learn how to harness design patterns without falling prey to their dark side.

Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate Common Pitfalls: Examine real-world examples to identify when a design pattern might be doing more harm than good, and learn to spot the early signs of over-engineering.

- Balance Trade-Offs Effectively: Develop a deep understanding of the trade-offs inherent in popular design patterns and discover strategies to navigate these complexities while maintaining code clarity and performance.

- Optimize Your Pattern Usage: Gain practical, actionable techniques for applying design patterns judiciously—knowing when to adapt, simplify, or even avoid a pattern in favor of more straightforward solutions.