Drawing inspiration for designers
Don’t reinvent the wheel
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You usually feel that you need to have original ideas. Working in the creative field is mostly subjective and our ideas are what we get paid for, so it makes sense to feel that your work has to be completely new. However, this mindset is actually detrimental to your work and development as a designer. Taking inspiration from the work of others is not “copying”; designers do it all the time.Even big companies imitate styles or UI elements. For example, Instagram “borrowed” Snapchat stories and repurposed them in a way that made more sense for their platform.Using other models as a springboard is a great way to get started with a focus on understanding what works and how they can be used. It also saves you time trying to do something completely new for UI elements that are in heavy use and don’t need to be reimagined. Trying to make something completely different from what the original model looks like will prove not only difficult but also counterproductive. When using different elements, make sure that they are user-friendly.Learn to look at different designs and pick up small parts that you think would make sense for your project, whether it’s the layout, size, or navigation designs.Find inspiration
Having a list of ideas for design inspiration is good for any designer, but it’s also important to know what to look out for and how to use them. It’s a good idea to keep a regular eye on current trends in the design world, even if you’re not working on a specific feature. There are many talented designers you can follow for general research or aesthetic inspiration. When we are looking for ideas related to a new project, there are many different places where we can draw inspiration, but these are mostly divided into three categories.Website design:
Well-known sites like Dribbble and Behance act as a portfolio and social networks for designers. Using websites for inspiration and web design is a great way to challenge yourself to improve your skills and explore how others have imagined the features you’re working on and see the feedback they’ve received on their work.An important caveat when browsing these models is that many times you are much more focused on the user interface and not so focused on the user experience. This isn’t always important, but sometimes upon closer inspection, you’ll see elements that lack functionality or just cause confusion.Even if the designs look very impressive or are created by respected designers, still look for where they can be improved. Your opinions and insights are always important, no matter whose design you’re reviewing.Relevant apps and websites
When you are given a task that has already been done on other platforms, you should first look at how they approached the design. This will set the standard for what’s already out there and give you ideas on how a similar view might work on your platform. Sometimes very different products overlap or complement each other.For example, video streaming apps may have a “my list” feature that allows you to save videos for later viewing, but the nature of the platform will dictate how the feature is used. The show list is much lower than the course list, so the video streaming platform can present shows that you have saved but are not currently watching on your home page.The courses are long and require your full attention. Seeing a long list of such content every time you open a page can quickly overwhelm you. The context of the platform has a big impact on how the app works, and sometimes it’s what will drive the design forward.Competitors
It’s likely that more of your features will overlap with your competition since you have similar platforms. While it’s difficult to try to build something different from what you already see, it’s a great design challenge and an opportunity to make something better than what your competitors have. They set the bar; now it’s your turn to pick it up.If you’re not the only one in your space, you might be implementing a feature that one or more competitors have already built. Obviously, you should never copy someone else, but when you’re doing tasks already created by competitors, it’s important to have fundamental differences.Ask yourself the following questions
How does this feature specifically fit your product and suit your user base? This will determine what separates your features from your competitors. What steps can you skip? Where can the layout be changed? These questions sometimes allow you to figure out how to better articulate your core value in contrast to your competition.Yes and no
Make sure you use your time productively by taking inspiration from other models. The best time to look for inspiration is before you start any design work on a feature or are in the preliminary drawing stage. If you don’t start looking for inspiration until you’re deep into the design, you may not be as receptive to making changes that could improve it, or you may be forced to undo work you’ve already done.Avoid classic pitfalls by following these rules
What makes sense to do and how to properly approach the work of looking for inspiration from the outside:- Find items to include. Learn to look at different designs and pick up the little bits that you think would make sense for your project, whether it’s layout designs, text sizes, or navigation.
- Rethink your approach. Go into the process with an open mind and be willing to let go of ideas you previously had, especially if they didn’t work for you.
- Find out what you like or don’t like about design and think: How can I approach this differently? We all have different sensibilities when it comes to design and you can bring something to the table that no one else can.
- Don’t copy something as it is. You should always remake things to make them your own, using an idea rather than copying the exact design.
- Obsessing over a particular design that is impractical due to your skills or lead time is pointless. Always know your weaknesses and play to your strengths. If the design is difficult to illustrate or beyond your ability, it’s best to move on to something that will work better with your skills.
- You look at the polished work and feel deflated or intimidated. If you see something you like but think you can’t reproduce it, it might not be for you. Consider other ways to achieve a similar result. If you think you can learn it, you can use it as an opportunity to learn a new skill. Find a specific practice method or take an online course. If you talk to your employer (and there is time) they will probably encourage you and allow you to do this in the company. After all, development also benefits them.