Things I wish I knew when I was learning UI/UX Designing
Self-teaching UX design or transitioning to a career in UX design from a different field can be challenging, but it is possible with dedication and hard work. Some tips for getting started include:
1. A picture is worth a thousand words via Inspect Element
Inspect Element is a tool that allows you to inspect the HTML and CSS of a website and make temporary changes to the layout and design. It can be a helpful tool for learning UI/UX design because it allows you to:
- Understand how a website is built and how the different elements are structured
- See how the design decisions made by the original designer affect the user experience
- Experiment with different design changes and see the results in real-time
- Learn how to use CSS to make design changes
To use Inspect Element, you will need to open a website in a web browser and right-click on an element of the webpage that you want to inspect. Select the “Inspect” option from the menu, and the browser’s developer tools will open. You can then use the tools to inspect the HTML and CSS of the website and make temporary changes to the layout and design.
Keep in mind that the changes you make using Inspect Element are temporary and will not be saved once you close the browser. It’s only for learning and testing purposes.
Here are some links for your reference so you can learn more about how to use this on YouTube.
2. Learn to use right plugins
Learning to use plugins can be a great way to enhance the functionality of your website. Plugins are add-ons that can be installed on your website to add new features or extend the capabilities of your website. You will learn a lot of new things as you practice more and build websites, and one of those new things is adding animations and gifs in your designs simply by using the correct plugins. Do some plugin research and get your hands dirty by creating anything random. Try creating animations and gifs on your own without the use of plugins. You’ll gain knowledge, but you’ll also feel more assured in your abilities as a designer. Plugins can be a great way to add new features and functionality to your website, but it’s important to be selective and only install the plugins that are necessary for your website, and keep them updated for security reasons. With practice and patience, you’ll be able to master the use of plugins in no time.
Here are some links to websites and plugins that can assist you with your designs:
- https://blog.adplist.org/post/top-11-figma-plugins-every-designer-must-have
- https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ui-design/best-free-animation-libraries/
- https://iconscout.com/lotties/ui-ux-design
3. Learning typography
Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. It plays a crucial role in the design of digital products and can greatly affect the user experience.
Having knowledge of typography can help a UI/UX designer to:
- Create a clear and consistent visual hierarchy
- Improve readability
- Enhance the overall aesthetic
- Create a consistent Branding
- Optimize the layout for different devices
Take note of how websites in the real world employ typography. Additionally, while designing a website, try to limit the number of fonts to one or two to avoid breaking the uniformity and creating an unnoticed distraction. Make a list of the styles you like and dislike, giving good reasoning for each. Discover the psychology behind a particular typeface. Study up on the font family and font styles as much as you can. Stay informed on the corresponding trends. Examine the font that Whatsapp, Instagram, or any other website uses, for instance, and try to identify the motivations behind it. Observe some websites with poor typography as well to understand the difference & the significance of typeface.
Listed below are some websites that may be helpful.
4. Choose a theme for the website.
One popular theme that can be used to maintain consistency on a website is a minimalistic theme. Minimalistic themes are characterized by a clean, simple, and uncluttered design. They use a limited color palette, typography, and visual elements to create a cohesive look and feel throughout the website.
A minimalistic theme can be beneficial for maintaining consistency because:
- It focuses on the content: Minimalistic designs prioritize the content, making it easy for users to find what they’re looking for.
- It is easy to navigate: The simple layout and limited visual elements make it easy for users to navigate the website.
- It is versatile: Minimalistic themes can be adapted to different types of websites and industries, from blogs to e-commerce sites.
- It is easy to maintain: With fewer elements to manage, it is easier to keep the website up-to-date and consistent.
- It is consistent across all devices: A minimalistic design is responsive, which means it adjusts well to different screen sizes, providing a consistent user experience across all devices.
- Branding: A minimalistic theme can be used to reflect the company’s branding.
Read up on the latest themes and try to incorporate them into your websites for your practice, but be sure to innovate in the real world in your own unique style.
Some lovely websites I admired helped me develop my portfolios-
5. The untold secret of wireframes
As a beginner designer, you want to bypass pre-design preparation and simply leap onto the canvas with your colors and contents. However, I can guarantee you that wireframes are not only crucial for your design but also beneficial to developers. Although learning to code is not necessary for UI/UX designers. But, if your design cannot be coded, it is useless. For developers, wireframes provide a clear understanding of the structure and functionality of the website or app, which helps them to plan and build the front-end and back-end systems more efficiently. They can also be used to identify any technical constraints or challenges that may need to be addressed and using your wireframes makes it very simple to visualize and create content. I’ve written a piece about it already.
6. Ask as many questions as you can
When performing UI/UX, you must consider business considerations such as when, how, goals/targets, etc. And all of these inquiries will affect your designs. Do you know the saying, “You become what you think about”? Because you create what you think, Your design should convey the emotions you want your users to have, so first, define these emotions to yourself. That’s where human-centered design comes in.
7. Communication is important.
Keep records from the beginning that will aid and hasten the presentation and designing processes. The most typical beginner error is failing to write down or make a note of the needs and points. Considering that you’ll remember it. In my opinion, you won’t. By the time your design is finished. If you forget what the client requested, it can be challenging to communicate your design in his exact words. So, it would be wise to take notes.
8. Identify your process and communicate them well.
It’s crucial to be aware of your needs. With time, it will happen, but it’s advantageous if you can spot them early. Understand the prerequisites for your designing process. For me, for instance, it would be things like content, purpose, functionality, target audience, etc. To ask questions and keep your records up to date, break them down into manageable pieces.
9. Learn the basics of excel for your future jobs.
Excel is one tool for documentation. You will be asked to estimate how long a design would take or what factors you took into account when creating a certain design. Excel is the ideal tool for presenting information, and speaking their language fluently in the workplace will help you stand out, right?
