Recently, a group of new students asked me how to become a qualified designer. I realized that it's not easy to explain in just a few words. So, I decided to write a detailed article based on my experience and understanding of the design industry. In this piece, I'll outline the key skills and mindset a visual designer should develop to be effective in their role.
1. Understand business needs, product positioning, and interaction logic
2. Establish a rational design style and conduct preliminary reviews
3. Combine requirements during the design process and optimize thoughtfully
4. Maintain clear communication, deliver designs, and follow through with implementation
First and foremost, it's important for a visual designer to understand the role they play within the product lifecycle. Is the goal to provide users with an aesthetically pleasing experience, or to make the product more intuitive and functional? Visual design also plays a crucial role in brand differentiation—helping users recognize, remember, and connect with the product. Ultimately, all these elements contribute to achieving business goals. Therefore, a good designer should go beyond surface-level aesthetics and deeply understand the business context and user behavior to create meaningful and impactful designs.
1. Understand Business Needs, Product Positioning, and Interaction LogicI once had a colleague who made a mistake early in his career. He jumped into designing right after receiving a request or prototype, without fully understanding the purpose. The final design looked great, but the product manager and boss were unhappy. The website was meant for internal use, so it should have focused on efficiency and ease of access rather than complex multi-screen scrolling. Even though the boss didn’t know design, he knew the business, and that’s why the design failed to meet expectations. This shows that design isn't about style alone—it must align with the business needs and user experience.
Once you receive a project, take time to ask yourself: What is the product for? Who are the target users? What is the core function? If you're still unsure, talk to the interaction designer or product manager—they can help clarify things. Understanding the product's positioning means knowing whether it's for internal or external use, B2B or B2C, and what the main features and user characteristics are. You can even get involved in early product research to better shape the visual identity and brand direction.
To grasp the interaction logic, look at the prototype and map out the flow. Break down the product into major sections, determine the homepage structure, and use framework diagrams if needed. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if something isn’t clear. Key points to understand include layout methods, information hierarchy, page relationships, control states, and content display under different conditions.
2. Rationally Establish Design Style and Conduct Preliminary ReviewsOnce you have a clear understanding, it’s time to define your design style. Design isn’t about personal expression—it’s about solving problems and meeting user needs. Avoid being too rigid or overly creative; instead, focus on finding a balance between common design trends and unique brand personality. Many designers start by studying others in the same industry. Analyze what works and adapt it to fit the product’s positioning and brand tone.
If the product already has a design system in place, follow it closely. However, even within those constraints, there's room for creativity—especially in small details that can elevate the user experience. For example, using subtle animations or custom icons can make a big difference. Once the style is set, conduct a preliminary review to ensure it aligns with the project’s goals and makes the design process smoother moving forward.
3. Combine Requirements During the Design Process and Optimize ThoughtfullyDuring actual design work, you’ll often face unclear instructions or conflicting ideas. Communication is key here. For instance, when designing an app’s announcement pop-up, if the message is long, you might need to adjust the layout to ensure readability. Instead of making each pop-up different in size, consider a consistent design that adapts to content length. This not only improves the user experience but also maintains a professional appearance.
As a designer, it's essential to understand the product from a user perspective. Reading books like "User Experience Design" can help you think more critically about how people interact with products. Concepts like ease of learning, efficiency, and satisfaction are important to keep in mind. Design is not just about looking good—it’s about creating meaningful experiences that support the product and business goals.
It’s also important to explain your design choices clearly. If you can’t justify your decisions, it may indicate a lack of deeper understanding. Some designers rely too much on copying existing work without adding their own insights. While this might work in the short term, it limits growth and reduces your sense of ownership over the project. True design involves thoughtful problem-solving and collaboration.
4. Maintain Effective Communication, Deliver, and Follow Up on ImplementationThroughout the design process, requirements can change. Staying in constant communication with the team ensures that you’re always aligned. After completing the design, don’t stop there—outputting the work properly is equally important. Prioritize key modules, organize them logically, and use standardized naming conventions for clarity and efficiency. A well-structured file system helps both developers and other designers work more smoothly.
Finally, follow up on the implementation. Check for any issues during development and stay engaged throughout the process. This ensures that the final product stays true to the original vision and meets all the necessary standards.
In SummaryVisual designers should constantly practice, study great examples, maintain strong aesthetic senses, and improve the overall user experience. They should also analyze the motivations behind different design choices. At the end of the day, visual design is more than just making things look good—it’s about creating value through thoughtful and purposeful design.
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