{"id":114,"date":"2007-05-17T13:45:23","date_gmt":"2007-05-17T13:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gosquared.com\/liquidicity\/archives\/114"},"modified":"2020-10-01T14:05:02","modified_gmt":"2020-10-01T14:05:02","slug":"50-ways-to-become-a-better-designer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gosquared.com\/blog\/50-ways-to-become-a-better-designer","title":{"rendered":"70+ Ways to Become a Better Designer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Being a successful creative has a lot to do with the way you work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might not be able to teach taste or talent, but you can definitely sharpen your skills and make the most of what you’ve got.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We love design. It’s a fundamental part of our business. We can help you automate your sales process, make customer service more efficient, and understand how your business is performing<\/a> so that you can get back to designing a brilliant product and growing your SaaS business. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Update September 2020: We are back with this updated list featuring not only James’ original list but more great advice from our friends\u00a0Will Kinchin<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Manifesto Studios<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find new ways to open your mind and not get stuck.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1. <\/strong>Use metaphors to expand your imagination.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Great ideas can stem from using themes and metaphors. As an exercise try thinking about your site design or concept as a building – a school, for example. This can open up a whole avenue of new ideas. Remember that great design is more than just a pretty face, it works because the theme houses the content seamlessly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Don\u2019t take all day to brainstorm.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It always helps to throw ideas around with a colleague or friend. Try to have a couple of short sessions of brainstorming rather than one massive one as ideas can quickly go cold or you can get into a loop of the same thought patterns. Though it’s useful to tap up your designer friends for ideas and brainstorming sessions, think outside the box and ask someone different – your mum, a friend who doesn’t design, a colleague from a different department. Sometimes getting outside of your project can really help you to find original ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Get off that computer!<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most problems can be solved, or at least made to feel better, by getting off your computer and out into the world, so, take a break. Getting outside, particularly if you can get into nature, is often the respite your mind needs to generate new ideas. If you really can’t leave your desk try listening to some music you’ve never listened to before, watching a short video online, making a cup of tea, or taking your jumper off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Join a forum.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

A lot of creatives work from home, but that doesn\u2019t mean they can\u2019t talk to anyone. There are a lot of really helpful and talented people out there willing to have a chat about design, you just need to find them. Here are some of my favourite forums:<\/p>\n\n\n\n