Sense of Design
from Subjectivity to Objectivity.
At its core, a sense of design is our ability to distinguish between good, bad, and mediocre design. Without a well-developed sense of design, our judgments tend to be subjective, often doing more harm than good when creating or evaluating design work. The key to improving as a designer lies in refining this sense — turning our evaluation from something instinctual and personal into something objective and informed.
Why Does a Sense of Design Matter?
When starting out, many aspiring designers believe their work is good simply because they like it. However, design isn’t just about personal preference — it serves a purpose. A design that doesn’t solve the problem it was meant to address, no matter how visually appealing, ultimately falls short. Without a refined sense of design, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of creating work that feels right but fails to be effective.
The “Design Puberty Phase”
Every designer goes through what I call the Design Puberty Phase — a period where we create a lot of subpar work, yet perceive it as good. At this stage, we take pride in what we make, but our creations don’t truly meet design standards or fulfill their intended purpose. This phase is natural, but staying in it for too long can be limiting. The sooner we develop an objective sense of design, the sooner we start producing work that has real value.
How to Develop Your Sense of Design
The easiest way to sharpen your design sense is by immersing yourself in high-quality design. Surround yourself with well-designed work, attend events, and engage with individuals who have a more refined design sense than you do. Over time, you’ll start to recognize patterns, understand what makes a design successful, and differentiate between what simply looks good and what actually works.
My Personal Journey
When I first started, my designs were — objectively speaking — bad. I used to create overly busy banners and amateurish raster logos using an app called Photoshop Touch on my phone. At the time, I thought they were great. But after countless iterations, I started to notice that my work felt substandard compared to the design industry’s accepted norms.
This realization was a turning point. I began studying objectively good designs, following established designers, and replicating their work to understand what made them effective. Through this process, I developed my own design sensibilities. I also became more aware of technical aspects like how a design appears on a screen versus how it translates to print or large-scale formats.
The Path to Developing Good S.O.D
Once you start actively refining your sense of design, you’ll not only improve but also gain awareness of your weaknesses. Recognizing these shortcomings allows you to focus on specific areas of improvement, ultimately leading to stronger, more purposeful work.
If you’re a design aspirant, your primary focus should be on developing this skill. A strong sense of design will guide you through every project, helping you move beyond subjective taste and into the realm of objective, impactful design.
Let’s Connect
Thanks for reading! Cheers 🥂
