Why You Should Start Squinting at Your Designs (Seriously)

Lessons from a painter’s studio that still hold up in Figma.

When you squint, the fluff fades — and what matters most comes into focus. Try it.

When I was learning to paint, one of the first techniques I picked up had nothing to do with brushes, color theory, or canvas prep.

It was this: squint.

Literally, narrow your eyes until the world blurs.

Painters do this to simplify what they’re looking at. It removes the noise. Contrast becomes clearer. Big shapes pop forward. The little things? They fade into the background, where they often belong.

What’s wild is — I never stopped doing it.

Now, as a designer, I catch myself squinting at a screen full of UI components the same way I once squinted at a still life. And guess what?

It works just as well.

🔍 Why Squinting Matters in Design

Whether you’re designing an interface, a logo, or a landing page — squinting is a fast-track to clarity. Here’s why:

1. It forces hierarchy to emerge.

If your button disappears when you squint, your user will probably miss it too. If your heading isn’t jumping out? Time to adjust your type scale or contrast.

2. It filters out the noise.

A busy layout full of textures, images, and micro-copy? Squint, and you’ll see what actually commands attention. If too much still does — start cutting.

3. It reveals balance and structure.

Design, at its core, is arrangement. Squinting shows you if things feel lopsided, overly dense, or uncomfortably spaced. Think of it as a crude but powerful composition check.

4. It stops you from getting too precious.

When you’re zoomed in on the pixel level, every decision feels monumental. Squinting zooms you back out — not just literally, but mentally. It reminds you what really matters: function, clarity, intent.

👀 How to Make Squinting a Design Habit

1. Step away from the zoom. Look at your design at 50%, 25%, even thumbnail size. Then squint.
2. Ask: what stands out? Is it what should stand out?
3. Use it during feedback. Squint together with your team. Make it part of your design review ritual.
4. Pair it with grayscale. Temporarily remove color and squint — you’ll learn a lot about weight and contrast.

🎨 A Tip From the Easel

Back in the studio, I’d squint not just at what I was painting — but at the canvas itself.

The goal? Harmony.
You want the eye to know where to go.

That’s what we’re doing in UX too.

Squinting might feel silly, but it’s a designer’s secret weapon. It’s the quickest way to get out of your own head and into your user’s experience — one blurred view at a time.

Try it. And then try not doing it.

You’ll notice the difference.