When designing a website or app, it’s essential to ensure that users can easily navigate, understand, and achieve their goals. This is where the UX design process comes in. This systematic approach focuses on creating meaningful and satisfying experiences for users when interacting with digital products.
Don’t limit yourself to looking at designs within your field. Explore other sources of inspiration, such as magazines, paintings, or furniture. This can help you discover new ideas and challenge your preconceptions about what good design should look like.
The principles of design are the basic rules that guide good design practice. They tap into user behavior to influence how users interact with your design. Understanding these principles can help you create more effective and appealing designs.
Take the time to break down the designs of others, both those you love and those you don’t. Try to figure out what makes them work or not work. Is it the color palette? The typography? The interaction design? Analyzing other designs can help you develop your taste and style.
The difference between a good design and a great design often lies in the details. When looking at other designs, pay attention to small things that make a big difference, such as rounded corners or font sizes.
Design is everywhere, both intentional and accidental. Start noticing the design of everything around you, from packages to signs to natural phenomena. Try to understand why they are designed the way they are and what they communicate.
Remember to put what you observe into practice. Observing design is not enough if you don’t apply it to your own work. By practicing what you observe, you can deepen your understanding of how and why design works, which will improve your eye for design and make you a better designer.
Some additional skills that can help you develop your eye for design in 2023 are:
Using design tools. There are many tools available for designers, such as Adobe Photoshop, Sketch, Figma, or Canva. These tools can help you create and edit designs more easily and efficiently. They can also help you learn from other designers by accessing templates, tutorials, or feedback features.
Getting feedback. Feedback is essential for improving your design skills and eye. You can get feedback from other designers, clients, users, or friends. Feedback can help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your designs, as well as new ideas or perspectives that you might not have considered.
Experimenting with different styles. Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore different styles of design. You can learn from different genres, cultures, eras, or trends of design. Experimenting with different styles can help you expand your creativity and find your own voice as a designer.