Structure is key
No matter how creative the task, success in creating a website is a discipline. Following the site production script and maintaining consistency significantly helps to get a satisfactory result.
You can’t work on a project you hate
The field of design is not catering, and the customer is not always right. Building communication, in this case, is more difficult, but the designer needs to learn not to love, but at least to respect the client’s business. A professional designer is distinguished by the ability to set himself up in a positive way and get carried away with the project.
Any development begins with pain and dissatisfaction
If we assume that design is a solution to problems, then designers are “problem solvers”. To fix the problem and find an effective solution, you need to first conduct research and pinpoint the problem, then focus on specific “pain points”. To do this, you need to understand what the people for whom you are creating a website are doing, why they are doing it, how they see the world around them, what their values and needs are.
Listening is the First thing a designer should learn
It is easy to solve the problems of people who are close in spirit, interests, and social status. However, very often the designer has to dive into the specific context.
It is necessary to understand the world in which a person works. Each of us has a unique experience that determines our attitude to the world. Often we say: “Yes, I know it, I understand everything.” But it turns out that the difference lies in the details and it can be fundamental. Therefore, when we listen to a person, we need to try to get used to his imagery, as actors do. Feel yourself in his place.
An idea takes time
After you have formulated the task, do not torment your brain, give your subconscious mind time to find a solution.
Switch to another task, or even better, take a break: play sports, take a walk around the city, chat with friends. The advice is not new, but it works — after some time, the idea will appear.
Use mind mapping to generate ideas
If time is tight and you need to speed up the process, you can use the idea generation technique — mind mapping. Take a large piece of paper and start writing out all the project-related associations that come to mind, gradually structuring them. Shake your brain, adjust it to the desired area. In the search for associations of the second or third level, you will get interesting ideas and finds that will surprise you. This technique is often used by students when planning university assignments. In addition to mind mapping, I do my homework with classmates which is also very helpful in the initial phase of various writing tasks.
Conduct research
Research is what helps to develop a high-quality creative concept in a limited time. Research immerses the designer in the context, and the decisions become reasoned.
The designer offers not just something interesting but builds logical relationships. This allows you to more effectively build relationships with the customer and get a predictable result.
Getting inspired
For a good designer, viewing other projects is a daily routine, the same duty as drawing layouts. Hundreds of styles and directions should fit in your head. An art director differs from a novice designer not only in that he has made hundreds of sites but also in that the art director has seen a lot of projects. He saw everything.
Good design is the result of your self-development and self-education
Don’t stop learning. The world is changing very quickly, and if you want to win the competition, you need to constantly learn new things. Follow the trends, study design theory to understand the fundamental things. This will help you find meaning in what you are doing. Good design doesn’t start in the computer but your head. Fill it with high-quality knowledge.
Learn more than just web design
A distinctive feature of web design is its multidisciplinary nature. Find out what’s new in architecture, interiors, fashion, culture, branding, illustration, photography, video, and mobile apps.
The designer solves different tasks all the time, and the more you understand different areas, the easier it will be to communicate with colleagues and customers. You will have to set tasks for an illustrator or photographer, and it will be easier to do this when you can quickly collect references and show what you want to see.
Find inspiring people
Subscribe to Twitter, Facebook, or blogs of designers whose work inspires you. Keep track of what they share. Professionals are usually distributors of high-quality information, and through them, you can learn something new. By following them, you will understand how they think and be able to adapt their value system.