3 things that helped me improve my UI designs
Everything I did when I started out and still doing, with actionable steps at the end
As a UI designer, I understand the importance of constantly improving my skills and knowledge in order to stay competitive in the industry.
Over my journey, I have gained valuable experience and have come across a variety of techniques and resources that have helped me in my journey to become a better designer. Hope that helps you too.
These things range from building a strong design foundation to seeking feedback and sharing my work online.
By incorporating these practices into your own workflow, I believe you can improve your UI design skills and create more effective and visually appealing designs.
1. Building a strong design foundation
When I started my journey as a UI designer, I had some basic knowledge of creating graphic design, but I realized that I needed to go deeper if I wanted to create truly great designs.
I spent a lot of time learning about color theory and how to use it to create eye-catching designs that are pleasing to the eye. I also learned about typography and how to use fonts to create a hierarchy of information in my designs.
I studied layout principles and how to create a balance between different design elements. I learned how to use grids and spacing to create visual harmony in my designs.
The resource that I would highly recommend to whoever is starting out with UI design Please read the Material Guidelines & Human Interface Guidelines these are like Bibles for UI designers please don't miss this and jump directly to design UI screens.
By mastering the basics of design theory, color theory, typography, and layout, I was able to create more cohesive, visually appealing, and user-friendly designs and so can you.
2. Paying attention and start questioning
This even I started doing recently we are all surrounded by products that we interact with it could be apps/websites or random objects but most of the time we run in auto-pilot mode we barely pay attention to them.
So recently I started to concisely pay attention to the apps I am interacting with and start questioning why they used this component only and why not something else.
I use mobbin and appshorts to see the complete UI design of apps that's quite helpful to get inspiration of how apps are designing.
To learn how to pay attention to details in UI design, I started analyzing these products and others like them to see what makes them so effective. I also studied the principles of design theory, including color theory, typography, and layout.
By applying these principles in my own designs, I was able to create more cohesive and visually appealing interfaces.
Great design is in the details.
By focusing on the little things, you can elevate your design and create a more delightful user experience.
3. Daily UI
Practicing daily UI challenges has been a game-changer for me in terms of improving my design skills. By setting aside time every day to work on a specific UI design challenge, I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone and experiment with new design techniques and styles.
Daily UI challenges also helped me stay up-to-date with the latest design trends. By tackling new challenges every day, I was able to stay on top of what was happening in the design world and incorporate those trends into my work. It also helped me build an online portfolio of work that showcased my design skills.
In addition, daily UI challenges helped me develop a routine and discipline when it comes to design. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks of a project and neglect your design skills. By dedicating time every day to focus on UI design, I was able to make it a habit and improve my skills consistently over time.
Daily UI challenges also helped me stay up-to-date with the latest design trends. By tackling new challenges every day, I was able to stay on top of what was happening in the design world and incorporate those trends into my work. It also helped me build a solid portfolio of work that showcased my design skills.
If you’re interested here's the link : Daily UI
If you want to check my daily UI design you can check my Instagram I share every new thing I learn there.
You can check my daily UI day 01–20 designs here.
Sharing my UI design work online was a game-changer in my skill development journey. Platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Behance, and Dribbble allowed me to showcase my designs and connect with fellow designers. The feedback I received was invaluable, providing me with fresh perspectives and constructive criticism. It not only improved my UI design skills but also fostered a sense of community and inspiration among fellow designers, propelling my growth as a designer.
Actionable steps that you can follow:
- Build your design foundation by learning design theory, color theory, typography, and layout.
- Read material guidelines or human interface guidelines before designing. (Please)
- Start designing daily and practice consistently.
- Show your work online and start asking for feedback.
Hey there I am Nidhi (or design by Nidhi) a UX Designer, I write about my experience and learnings. I post a new article every Sunday.
You can find me on I am quite active there: Instagram | Behance | LinkedIn | Portfolio
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