How To Reach Design Mastery

In the last five years of learning to how to design, first in my spare time, then for other people and eventually becoming a full time freelance designer.

The art of mastery as a designer is really hard, I am not that there yet but I learned a lot through practice and trial and error over last five years (Last newsletter).

However, there are only a few lessons I keep in mind everyday to help me progress that 1% towards design mastery:

1. If you want to improve your any skill - practice daily, even if it’s 5 minutes it compounds over time - like an investment portfolio for your design abilities

   

   Compound your knowledge

2. Write down all your thoughts, ideas and feelings in a journal or Notes app - I often have creative ideas when I’m not working. I try to write them down, then act on them.

3. Drink water - 2L to 3L I find the right amount for me to clear brain fog - keeps my thoughts clear.

4. Exercise daily - Doesn’t have to be working out, walking up to the peak of a mountain. Just got outside or into the gym for at least 30-90 minutes a day. Keeps my energy level high.

5. Streamline client onboarding - this doesn’t have to be a advanced process, just having a set of questions you can ask client so you know exactly identify what their problem is, details about the client and how you can solve the problem. Helps the designer > client process be less stressful…

6. Don’t compare, Steal Like An artist - Comparing your work to others leads to imposture syndrome, study those who are better then you and try to copy the techniques they implement then create something original using your ideas.

7. Sharing what you learn - sharing what you learn with others forces you to condense what you are learning into a digestible format helping you retain that knowledge much easier.

8. Simple ideas are the best ideas - you put loads effort into the discovery phase of a project and come with loads of complex concepts, but keeping a design simple always works for the end users of a project. The cohesiveness of project is the most important factor.

Simple tools I use daily to make my life easier:

Zoho Invoices - free Invoicing and client portal software that’s easy to use

Cal.com - Having a quick 15-30 minute call with a client is the best way to get to know what they really want. (Also filters out loads of bad commission requests)

Font share - 100 of the best free fonts (use can actually use in your design work)

Cool products:

NuPhy - Just love the product design of this keyboard

Gift

As a gift for all my subscribers I am giving away my Vintage Textures and Scribbles pack 🛠️