The design cycle
The initial step in constructing any product is the planning phase, where we consider the look, feel , and goals of the project.
Following the planning phase is the design phase, where we transform all the information gathered during planning into a tangible reality.
After design comes the development phase, where the design from the previous phase is implemented on a live website.
The subsequent phase is the launch phase, involving the delivery of the product to the public.
Once launched, the post-launch phase commences, during which we closely monitor user behaviour and feedback to learn and iterate on the product.
!useful Info?
Graphic Design
involves the utilization of colors, color theory, layout, typography, sketching, fonts, imagery, and storytelling to convey specific feelings and target specific audiences. It revolves around creating visually appealing experiences.
User Experience
to become a proficient mobile and web designer, one must study User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design. The goal is to design products that offer users the best possible experience, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable flow through the product. Understanding the customer is crucial in this process.
Goal Conversion
entails designing products that drive the desired results for clients. This involves increasing conversions, which means motivating users to take specific actions.
Here are some platforms that might come in handy throughout your journey.
Goodui.org: Learn about effective patterns and UI practices that you can incorporate.
Awards.com: [Please provide additional information for this platform.]
Behance.net: Discover and showcase creative design projects.
Flaticon.com: Access a vast collection of icons for your designs.
Uxwing.com: Explore UX-related resources and inspiration.
Thenounproject.com: Find a wide range of icons for various purposes.
Unsplash.com: Access a vast library of high-quality, royalty-free images for your designs.
Sketching
Generate
The goal is to quickly generate and explore numerous approaches without getting caught up in the details.
Sketch
Focus on getting ideas out there swiftly, and then evaluate and determine the most efficient approach.
Detail
Once you have established your initial sketch, it is time to incorporate and the details.
Refine
Think about various user scenarios and explore different interactions that users may have with the product.
Get ready
1.
Prepare your tools beforehand.
2.
What are your goals, should be the centre of your attention.
3.
Who is your audience?
4.
Time yourself, timebox everything.
Start
5.
Draw a frame of your device.
6.
Start basic with the most simple elements.
7.
Advance to more detailed interactions.
8.
Annotate and document your sketches and keep them safe.
9.
Keep sketching.
10.
Share your sketches.
3 Questions
You need to ask yourself 3 important questions when designing User Flows.
Uno
Which way certain actions will lead the users?
Dos
Where do you want them to go?
Tres
What does the user need to get there?
Think about different options the users have at specific points in their journey.
I’m pretty sure you can do it better than this.
You want to understand where they come in and where they leave and how the experience is like.
Think about the users journey , what are some potential pain points, is the user happy or frustrated.
Pick up opportunities where you can improve the experience to them.
Think of different scenarios.
Think about who our users are and what experience they want to encounter when they move through your product.
Figure out which options your users can choose & sketch the directions they can move in various parts of your product.
This helps define your navigation and your hierarchies within.
Sketching tips.
- Don’t worry about being messy, just start, jump right in ask yourself those questions and keep going.
- Be lean, agile, sketch quickly and save yourself some time.
- Don’t worry about the details.
- Don’t loose your sketches.
- Always be prepared to sketch.
- Hang your sketches up for inspiration.
- Communicate(every product starts from a messy sketch).
- Sketch on a whiteboard, it’s more collaborative.
Where to find inspiration.
You need to constantly stimulate your creativity.
Talk to your peers.
Study others.
Surround yourself with great design.
Stay educated on a variety of topics.
Design for yourself.
Travel and explore the world.
Take a walk.
Where to find inspiration online.
Here are some platforms that might come in handy throughout your journey.
Dribbble.com: Study your peers, world top designers, inspiration from all fields, post content and get feedback.
Pinterest.com: For a more targeted search because there is a lot of clutter (use pinterest plugin extension)
Behance.net: Discover and showcase creative design projects.
Pttrns.com: Limited due to pricing but you can see solutions for different ui elements (good for individual problems)