4 levels of UI/UX design (and BIG mistakes to avoid)

Summary

In this video, a designer takes us through their journey of evolving from a beginner to a senior level, highlighting key mistakes made at each stage. From ineffective copywriting, overuse of flashy visuals, and poor color choices at the beginner stage to the more refined yet still imperfect designs of junior and mid-level designers, each phase shows progress while maintaining common pitfalls. The video also delves into the hidden mistake many senior designers make, focusing only on static UI design instead of crafting truly memorable, interactive experiences. The goal is to provide insights that accelerate your design growth and set you apart in the AI era.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mistakes in design are common at every level of a designer's career, and recognizing these patterns can help accelerate growth.
• 😀 At the beginner level, the primary mistakes include unclear copywriting, overuse of flashy visual effects, poor color choices, inconsistent font usage, and misalignment in design elements.
• 😀 A key principle for beginners is to keep things simple—opt for clarity over flashiness in visuals and color choices.
• 😀 The 60-30-10 color ratio is a useful guideline: 60% neutral color, 30% complementary color, and 10% primary brand color.
• 😀 Reducing font sizes and weights can significantly improve design consistency. Try to use no more than four font sizes and two weights.
• 😀 Beginners should aim to align and space elements properly using a system like the eight-point grid, which helps achieve a more professional layout.
• 😀 Junior designers, with 1-3 years of experience, still struggle with copywriting, often adding unnecessary words or misusing terms. It's important to improve this aspect.
• 😀 Junior designers tend to overuse colors or underuse them, making the interface feel either overwhelming or dull. Finding the right balance is key.
• 😀 By the mid-level stage (3-6 years of experience), designers understand the importance of clear communication, even if the visual design can sometimes be overworked.
• 😀 Mid-level designers begin to understand the value of using shades or tints of a single color, rather than multiple colors, for a cleaner UI.
• 😀 Senior designers (7+ years of experience) create designs that balance aesthetics with business metrics, using simpler, clearer, and more effective visuals, colors, and fonts.
• 😀 The hidden mistake even senior designers make is focusing too much on static designs and neglecting the potential for dynamic, memorable user experiences that go beyond just visuals.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The main theme of the video is to highlight the common mistakes designers make at various stages of their career (beginner, junior, mid-level, and senior), and provide insights on how to avoid them in order to level up design skills.

What is one of the biggest mistakes beginners make in design?

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is unclear and overly complex copywriting, such as using unnecessary words or having labels that don't accurately reflect the action, like using 'earn tokens' when it's about 'claiming voting rewards'.

How can beginners improve their use of colors in design?

Beginners should avoid using too much of one strong color, like red, which can make the UI stressful to look at. A good guideline is the 603010 approach, where 60% of the UI is neutral, 30% is a complementary color, and 10% is the main brand color.

What is the recommended font approach for beginners?

Beginners should reduce the number of font sizes and weights to create a more coherent design. A good rule of thumb is to limit the design to four font sizes and two font weights.

What is a key tip for improving spacing in designs?

A useful tip for improving spacing is to use the 8-point grid system, where spacing values are divisible by 8 or 4 (e.g., 24px instead of 25px), helping to create a more consistent and professional layout.

What mistakes do junior designers typically make?

Junior designers often struggle with unclear copy, overworked visuals, and inconsistent font sizes. They may also misuse color, either by overusing it or not using it enough.

How can junior designers improve their copywriting?

Junior designers can improve their copywriting by using tools like ChatGPT to generate concise, clear, and contextually appropriate copy. This can help them write shorter labels and avoid unnecessary words.

What visual mistake do mid-level designers commonly make?

Mid-level designers sometimes overwork visuals by adding too many effects or elements, which can make the design look cluttered. While they have a better-trained design eye than beginners, they can still fall into the trap of excess.

What is the key difference between junior and mid-level designers in terms of color usage?

Mid-level designers have a better understanding of color balance and can use different shades or tints of one color instead of using many different colors. They aim for a more cohesive and professional look.

What is the hidden mistake that even senior designers make?

The hidden mistake is focusing too much on static UI design. To stand out, senior designers need to think beyond static screens and create memorable, immersive experiences, similar to how apps like Phantom Wallet and Airbnb use dynamic design to engage users.

How can senior designers increase their value and stand out in the market?

Senior designers can increase their value by creating delightful and memorable user experiences that go beyond static designs. By designing apps that feel like a cohesive journey, they can significantly raise their price tags and deliver higher value to clients.