Aspire to be a “B” (design) student
This advice is specifically for folks who aren't web designers but want to enhance their web design skills. Too often design advice (and advice in general) is given without consideration of the recipient's goals.
If you're a programmer and you want to level up your design skills, you’re probably not looking to transition into a career as a designer. So striving to reach the expertise level of a designer like Jormor isn't a good use of your time.
Instead, I recommend you aspire to be a “B” grade designer.
They Embrace Time Constraints
It takes 20 hours to get decent at something. If your primary expertise is in programming, the benefits of practicing web design start to diminish after this 20-hour mark. That’s ok, because you’ve still learned a lot. A proficient web developer with “B” level UI or visual design skills is still a valuable asset to any team.
They Seek Foundational Knowledge
If you allocate 20 hours to learning web design, don’t focus on advanced topics. Don’t dive into framer animations, 3D modeling, or specific web design styles like skeuomorphism.
A “B” designer focuses on foundational knowledge. They learn design skills that apply to every design project. Foundational knowledge means learning things like alignment, hierarchy, and proximity. I usually write about these foundational topics here.
Great vs Good Websites
Here's another way to look at it. The types of websites you wish to create can influence the level of designer you aim to become. Do you want to make good or great looking websites? My designer friends may disagree, but not every site needs to be visually stunning. A plumber doesn't need an incredible looking website.
Good and great looking websites generally have some of these characteristics:
Good websites:
• Use free (but high-quality) fonts
• Use stock photography
• Use stock illustrations
• Created by single person
• B2B audience
• Use a template like (Wordpress, Squarespace, etc)
• Design is NOT a core part of how the company makes money
• Local audience
Examples:
https://tinyseed.com
https://www.spokenlayer.com
https://www.strochmarket.com
A “B” level designer can design sites like these on their own.
Great websites:
• Use a professional visual designer
• Use a professional UI/UX designer
• Use paid fonts
• Use custom photography or illustrations
• Use a copywriter
• Created by a team of people
• Created by an agency
• Created by a funded startup
• Consumer facing
• Design is connected to how the company makes money
• National audience
If you don’t aspire to be a professional web designer but want to create sites like these, you're better off partnering with people who can help you achieve it. Also keep in mind these sites are typically a team effort. A creative director, art director, visual designer, and UI/UX designer, and others joined forces to make the website you're looking at. So don’t compare your individual output to their collective efforts!
Examples:
https://www.twocreate.com
https://mixpanel.com
https://withcompound.com
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Aspiring to be a "B" level web designer is more practical for folks whose primary skills lie elsewhere. Not every site needs an "A" level design to serve its purpose well.