How to get better at design?

Question

So im a pretty good programmer and am trying to get better at design. I have a really tough time putting my thoughts onto paper or really just making sites 'flow' and look professional. You can see what i mean on my site and my portfolio.. premiumfldesigns.com ... Does anyone have any tips or any good online resources with tips and practices to learn web design? How can i become a a better designer?

Answer 1

If you don't have formal education (College, Univ, etc.) in design, I advice you to start by looking at inspirational sites, such as Dribbble or looking for "interface" on Flickr, for example.

Also, subscribe to design magazines (smashing magazine, for instance) and look at what other people design. Also, try getting some good design books dealing with basic theory (principles of separation, repetition, etc.)

Think about what do you like about your favorite designs and go in that direction. For example, if you like a "clean and simple page" try designing something that way.

From there, just keep designing! Practice is the key!

Answer 2

For me design is three things: understanding the user, nice looking graphics, and usable systems.

I like to take a user's requirements, strip it back to the bare minimum, optimize it for what they actually want to do, then built it back up into a concept.

From a programmer's point of view design can seem quite different and difficult. My suggestion is that it's just a collection of rules and techniques like everything else.

I follow the Shu Ha Ri model of mastery:

1. Shu - First know the rules. In this situation the rules are how users act, what makes a good design, and how to build user interfaces.
2. Ha - Know the rules so well you know when to break them. Design isn't something that can be completely learnt from a book. Try techniques, push the limits of concepts.
3. Ri - Make your own rules. At this point you understand how everything comes together well enough to forge ahead in a new direction.

I suggest doing research in the following areas:

• Psychology (for example the book How We Decide)
• Design (for example the book The Design of Everyday Things)
• Human Computer Interaction
• Graphic and Print Design

Answer 3

Read Jakob Nielsen's website on Usability and Web Design.

Answer 4

This is a pretty broad question. But, in general google web sites and buy books on any/all of the following subjects:

• typography
• color
• drawing
• graphic design
• art history
• commercial art
• logo design
• branding
• package design
• web/interaction design
• usability
• accessibility

Or, if ambition, check out local art schools. Lots of places have continuing education classes on graphic design.

Answer 5

I suppose it depends on what you mean and understand by "design". If you mean putting together web pages ( and applications, but that is part of the normal development approach ), then treat it as a new programming language, which it is, and learn how to use html, css, js/jq/ajax. They are languages where the output is visual, not data. Then you can study or explore graphic design even more to pursue this - doing some "formal"* training is worth while, if you want to pursue it more.