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As a designer, I’ve had the opportunity to work on various projects and with different clients, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities for learning. Through these experiences, I have gained valuable insights that have helped me become a better designer. In this article, I will share with you five important lessons that I have learned as a designer.

Lesson 1: Simplicity is key

The first lesson I learned is that simplicity is key. Design that is cluttered and overly complicated can detract from its purpose and effectiveness. A simple and minimal design allows for the content to shine and the message to be conveyed clearly.

It’s important to understand that simplicity is not about being lazy or taking shortcuts. It’s about understanding the purpose of the design and conveying the message in the most effective and efficient way possible. When creating a design, it’s crucial to keep in mind the end user and the purpose of the design. Ask yourself, “what is the most important message I want to convey?” and design around that. By keeping things simple, you can create a design that is memorable and effective.

With my own design portfolio, I always opt for a minimalistic design style, and instead let my work speak for itself. I often find that a cluttered and openly designed portfolio overshadows the actual case studies mentioned. To avoid this, I design for a clutter-free and easily digestible portfolio, in which my work is the key point of attraction here.

Lesson 2: Collaboration is essential

Design is not a solitary activity. Collaboration is essential to creating the best possible design. Collaborating with clients, team members, and other stakeholders helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the design is meeting the needs of all parties involved.

Through collaboration, you can gain valuable insights and feedback that can help you improve your design. It can also lead to new ideas and approaches that you may not have thought of on your own. As a designer, it’s important to be open to feedback and to be willing to make changes as needed. Embrace collaboration as an opportunity to learn, grow, and create better designs.

Lesson 3: Iteration is necessary

Creating a great design is not a one-time activity. It takes time and iteration to get it right. The first version of a design is rarely the best, and it’s important to be open to making changes and adjustments as needed.

Through iteration, you can refine your design and make it more effective. Seek feedback and be willing to make changes, even if it means going back to the drawing board. Iteration is a necessary part of the design process, and it can lead to a much better end product.

However, it’s important to note that there’s a fine line between iteration and overthinking. At times, designers can get caught up in making too many changes and end up taking away from the initial concept. As a designer, it’s important to know when to step back and trust your instincts.

As an over-thinker myself, I try to find a balance between iteration and obsession. With the overthinking comes the overanalysis, so when I do iterate, I make sure to set appropriate boundaries with how much is too much. Another helpful note here is that with iteration, collaboration also goes hand in hand. Receiving feedback on the work you do is critical, and this is especially key when iterating on your design work.

Lesson 4: Stay up to date with trends and tools

Design is constantly evolving, and it’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends and tools. Whether it’s new design software or the latest color palettes, being aware of what’s happening in the design world can help you create more current and relevant designs.

Staying up to date with the latest trends and tools is not only beneficial for your own growth as a designer but also for meeting client expectations. By staying informed, you can provide clients with the latest design solutions and demonstrate that you are an expert in your field.

To stay current, take time to explore new tools and techniques and experiment with them in your designs. Attend design conferences and workshops, read design blogs and books, and stay active in the design community. By staying up to date, you can continue to grow and improve as a designer.

Real Life Example:

One of close friends in the design community always priorities the importance of staying on stop of all trends and latest design releases, whether this be virtually attending the latest Figma convention, or downloading the latest most popular Figma plugins, she always is on the hunt for the latest and greatest. This reflects in her design work, because there is always a differentiator present between her work and mine, and this is often due to how much she prioritizes staying on top of trends, instead of staying static with her design style.

Lesson 5: Take risks with confidence

Finally, as a designer, it’s important to take risks and push boundaries. While it’s important to follow best practices and design principles, sometimes the most memorable designs come from taking risks and trying something new.

I hope these 5 lessons help guide and refocus you on your design journey, best of luck for whatever is next in your path, you got this!