Personal thoughts on what makes a good designer
One of the key skills that designers should possess is the ability to think creatively. To not be afraid to take risks, and to always be looking for ways to push the boundaries of what is possible. Being good at communicating their ideas to others, whether it is through sketches, wireframes, or prototypes is important, sure. But after years of experience in the field, I can guaranty that what matters is the idea more than a beautiful sketch that would have taken hours.
Good designers should also possess a great attention to detail. Spotting even the smallest issues and correcting it before any of them rises really makes the difference on long term projects. Which mean collaborating with others, they should be able to explain their thoughts process and why certain design decisions were made. If they are not the decision maker on the matter they have to explain how they foresee problems (most often technical) and why they think they could impact the project negatively.
Having a strong sense of style won’t hurt you. But what is more important is creating beautiful, cohesive designs that are both functional and visually appealing is a key to the success of a product. Basing this on a User-centered design involves putting the needs and preferences of users at the forefront of the product development process.
Empathy is what I would consider the « trait » that every designer should have. The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand their feelings and perspectives will bring your work to another level. A good design has to understand the needs, wants, and pain points of the users they’re designing for. This involves conducting research, talking to users, and observing their behavior.
Our creativity is the key to your future success.
