Design 101: How to Take Your Designs to the Next Level and Leverage the Power of LinkedIn

Design 101: How to Take Your Designs to the Next Level and Leverage the Power of LinkedIn

Introduction:

Design is a holistic experience that encompasses usefulness, usability, and beauty. In the world of design, there is a bias for action, where building quickly and efficiently is prioritized over spending excessive time perfecting every detail. This article explores the key elements of design and how they can be applied to elevate your designs. Additionally, we will delve into the cringe-worthy nature of LinkedIn and how users often showcase their achievements in a way that may seem insincere.

The Three Pillars of Great Design:

The best designs are a combination of usefulness, usability, and beauty. Useful designs serve a purpose and provide value to the end-user. Usable designs are intuitive and easy to navigate, ensuring a seamless user experience. Beautiful designs are visually appealing and aesthetically pleasing. By focusing on these three aspects, designers can create impactful and engaging designs that resonate with their audience.

The CHATS Framework:

To enhance the visual appeal of your designs, consider implementing the CHATS framework: Color/Contrast, Hierarchy, Alignment, Type, and Spacing. These elements play a crucial role in creating a cohesive and visually pleasing design. By carefully selecting colors, establishing a clear hierarchy, aligning elements harmoniously, choosing appropriate typography, and maintaining consistent spacing, designers can elevate their designs to the next level.

Taking Action and Embracing Imperfection:

In the creative process, it is essential to take action and iterate rather than striving for perfection from the start. As demonstrated by a photography class experiment, the group that produced better pictures was the one that focused on taking a large volume of photos, embracing imperfections, and learning through continuous iterations. By adopting this approach, designers can overcome the fear of failure and unlock their creativity.

Writing with Intent:

When creating content, whether it's a blog post, social media caption, or LinkedIn update, it is crucial to have a clear goal in mind. Determine the primary action you want the reader to take and craft your message accordingly. By writing with intent, you can create compelling content that resonates with your audience and encourages them to engage with your work.

Leveraging the Power of LinkedIn:

LinkedIn, despite its cringe-worthy nature, can be a valuable tool for professionals, especially job-seekers. The platform allows users to showcase their achievements and attract potential employers. While some may perceive the self-promotion on LinkedIn as insincere, it is important to recognize the underlying intention of catching the attention of employers and creating opportunities.

Expanding Your Reach:

To maximize your chances of success on the internet, it is essential to expand your reach beyond a single platform. Just like buying multiple lottery tickets increases your chances of winning, crossposting your content on various platforms such as Hacker News and Reddit can significantly increase your visibility and reach. By placing your bets accordingly and diversifying your online presence, you can increase your opportunities for success.

Embracing Your Journey:

As a designer or creative professional, it is important to avoid comparing yourself to others who may be further along in their journey. Like a baby learning to walk, it takes time, practice, and perseverance to master new skills. Embrace your own progress and focus on continuous growth rather than comparing yourself to industry giants or feeling discouraged by the achievements of others.

Three Actionable Advice:

• 1. Embrace imperfection and iterate: Instead of striving for perfection from the start, take action and embrace the iterative process. Learn from each iteration and use it as an opportunity to grow and improve your designs.

• 2. Expand your online presence: Don't limit yourself to a single platform or social media channel. Crosspost your content on various platforms to increase your visibility and reach a wider audience.

• 3. Focus on your own journey: Avoid comparing yourself to others and their accomplishments. Embrace your own progress and focus on continuous growth and improvement.

Conclusion:

By prioritizing usefulness, usability, and beauty in your designs, implementing the CHATS framework, taking action, writing with intent, and leveraging the power of platforms like LinkedIn, you can elevate your designs and create more opportunities for success. Embrace imperfection, expand your online presence, and focus on your own journey to unlock your full potential as a designer or creative professional. Remember, it's not about comparing yourself to others, but rather about embracing your own unique path and continuously striving for improvement.