5 Secrets of Great Designers: What Separates the Best From the Rest?

Introduction

You may think you know what it takes to be a great designer, but do you? There's more to it than just having a good eye and knowing the right software. To truly excel in this field, you need to develop the habits of great designers.

So what separates the best from the rest? Here are five secrets that all great designers know and practice daily:

1. They think differently.

2. They exceptionally manage their work

3. They Constantly make their work better

4. They get feedback from peers

5. They have a broad skill set.

1. They Think Differently

The best designers think differently. They question everything. They're not afraid to experiment and dare to pursue their ideas, no matter how crazy they may seem.

But it's not just about having great ideas. Execution is key, and the best designers are relentless in their pursuit of perfection. They're never satisfied with their work, always pushing themselves to improve.

So how can you adopt these same habits and become a great designer? Here are five secrets to get you started:

1. Think differently

2. Be open to new ideas

3. Pursue your passions

4. Experiment and take risks

5. Don't be afraid to fail

2. They Exceptionally Manage Their Time

The best designers are exceptional at managing their time.

They understand that it's not about working long hours; it's about working smart hours. They're ruthless in cutting out distractions and focusing on their work. As a result, they can produce better results in less time.

How do they do this? They have a few key habits that help them manage their time effectively:

- They start their day with a plan and a goal in mind.

- They set deadlines for themselves and stick to them.

- They know when to say no to distractions.

- They work in short bursts with breaks in between.

- They use tools to help them stay organized and productive.

3. They Constantly Make Their Work Better

The best designers are never satisfied with their work. They're always pushing themselves to improve, to come up with new and better ideas. They're constantly learning and growing and never afraid to experiment.

This is something that separates the best from the rest. The best designers are always working on getting better, while the mediocre ones are happy to stick with what they know. If you want to be a great designer, you need to be constantly learning and evolving. You need to be willing to experiment and take risks.

4. They Get Feedback From Peers

If you're not already getting feedback from your peers, you're missing out on a crucial step in becoming a great designer. Feedback allows you to get perspective on your work and help you identify areas that need improvement.

When getting feedback, be open to what your peers have to say. It can be easy to get defensive, but try to take their feedback with a grain of salt and use it to improve your work.

And when you give feedback, make sure it's constructive. No one likes being critiqued, but if you can offer specific suggestions on improving someone's work, they'll be more likely to take your feedback in the spirit it's intended.

5. They Have a Broad Skill Set

You might be thinking, "I'm just a web designer. I don't need to know how to do all that stuff." But the best designers have a broad skill set to draw from to create their designs.

Here's the thing: the best designs come from a multidisciplinary approach. So while you might be primarily a web designer, if you have skills in other areas like branding, marketing, and user experience, you can create designs that are much more holistic and effective.

So how can you develop a broad skill set? The best way is to simply get out there and start doing it. There are plenty of online resources and courses that can teach you the basics of other design disciplines. And once you have the basics down, you can start experimenting and incorporating those techniques into your own work.

Conclusion

If you're not a great designer yet, don't fret. With a bit of practice and incorporating these five habits into your design process, you'll be well on your way to becoming a great designer. Who knows, maybe someday you'll even be considered one of the best.

FAQS