Getting better at design

I think it's the other way around, design is harder to learn. I have been working as a web designer for a year now, sure I'm coding only markup and stylesheets in the front-end part — but code is for a computer. When designing you work for the human brain (and computer restrictions), that’s more complex. I can spend 3 – 4 weeks on a design and then it takes a day or two creating a static page of it. The rule book is defined — I just follow our web standards. I don’t have that same book when i design. It’s another form of problem solving. Sure, we now more and more how the human brain works, what users are familiar with, what works and what doesn’t. But the rules are not as clear.

For improving web designs skills, I think is a good idea to always ask yourself why. If you find a design you like, why do you like it? Maybe try creating the same layout in your software for practice, but think why the designer have made that solution — maybe ask him, learn from each other. I read a lot about how our brain works in front of screens, and I hang out on Dribbble to get inspired and gathering feedback. I also collect web design that I like with Ember.

And then their are different type of design. I think everyone can learn to be a designer, but maybe it’s easier to learn to be a web designer then a graphic designer. It's more about alignment, positioning, grouping — not same type of design as someone who creates a logotype. I think.

As far as I'm concerned, coding is the real gift but anyone can learn design. I love design too and Treehouse has already taught me some good things about making design with CSS rather than just graphics intensive websites. Anyone can learn to design, in my opinion. :)

Have you used any resources? Inspiration? Activities?

No, I'm simply referring to my experiences on treehouse which has already taught me one or 2 things about responsive design, but I have another of sites I check out for design inspiration, things like Smashing mag, web designer depot, etc. Tutorial and blog sites.

Have you ever thought about designing an app or a site? You should do that then ask any of us students to develop it. I am sure someone will hop on it in a second! Then they can ask you all questions a designer will get - I think you will learn a lot that way.

This might be a little late to add to the discussion but with that being said you can totally improve your design skills! I love following and looking up people that aren't necessarily "web designers". One person who has been a great source of inspiration is Jessica Hische, she is an amazing typographer, and her website is beautiful! http://jessicahische.is/awesome Also one of my favorite sites is for a design and illustration company www.thesearethings.com They coded and designed their site themselves and even wrote a blog about it and their design and development process. Definitely worth checking out! Here's the link for the blog... http://www.makingit.co/2012/07/how-to-build-a-website-in-nine-exceedingly-difficult-steps/

Thanks for all the info everyone. I'll definitely start looking for inspiration. Lately I've been taking designs that I see and figuring out how to make them my own or "better" and it seems to be working.