The Process of Discovery

Visions in design don’t come fully formed; they feel like discoveries. Starting with a blank canvas, a quick brush stroke without too much thought can be built on and adjusted. The same principle applies to UI design. You wait until you see something taking shape and then use the tools at your disposal to build and refine it to the best of your ability.

Importance of Feedback

Feedback is crucial in my design process. I involve stakeholders early and often, gathering all types of feedback — verbal comments, physical reactions, and emotional responses. A laugh or a shocked face, whether it’s due to a humorous element or an unexpected design flaw, provides valuable insights. This diverse feedback helps me understand how different people interact with and perceive the design.

Continuous Improvement

Using the feedback collected, I apply everything I know about art and design to improve, optimize, and simplify the work. This process is iterative and ongoing. Each iteration brings the design closer to its final form, ensuring it meets both functional requirements and aesthetic goals.

Empathy and Connection

Designing with empathy is at the core of my process. I aim to see through the eyes of those who provided feedback. Personas shaped by this feedback guide my decisions, helping me create more inclusive and impactful designs. This empathetic approach ensures that the final product resonates with a diverse audience, fostering a deeper connection between the design and its users.

Achieving Flow and Focus

Achieving a state of flow is essential for deep creative work. Music plays a significant role in this aspect, helping me stay focused and immersed in the design process. Whether it’s the intense energy of Slipknot or the soothing tones of ambient tracks, music helps me maintain concentration and push through complex design challenges.

Creativity and Ritual

Incorporating rituals into my design routine, such as listening to music, helps signal the start of a creative session. This consistency prepares me mentally and allows for a smoother transition into a productive mindset. It also stimulates creativity, encouraging free thinking and exploration, which are vital for finding unique solutions to design challenges.

Defining Success

I like to call a project finished when it meets the deadline I set or when I can interact with it as an outsider and feel a sense of delight. This moment of separation and satisfaction indicates that the design is capable of transferring that feeling to its users. It’s a sign that the iterative process has successfully transformed initial visions into a polished, user-centric design.