Ask HN: How do I pick up some good design fundamentals | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How do I pick up some good design fundamentals

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I have been programming for about 6 years now using several languages, but have always sort of stayed clear of any design / interface type of work. There is a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that wants me to become more well-rounded but I dont really know what would be a good starting point. I am looking for some tips regarding a pretty broad spectrum that could be labeled design, anything ranging from html/css to wireframing to making great presentations and colour theory is interesting. This can be considered the equivalent of the "how do I teach myself to program"-question. Its probably relevant to say that I prefer using tools that are available on Linux (Im an Ubuntu user) but if people feel adamant that Windows or OSX are prereqs to doing a good job, that might be an interesting discussion too.

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I think learning about typography would be a good stepping stone to learning design in general.

Start off by reading Typography for Lawyers and iA’s post “Web Design is 95% Typography”. Both links have great advice and talk about the fundamentals of typography and type on the web.

If the last links perked your interest than I recommend picking up The Elements of Typographic style. It is a great bible on the subject at the macro level.

[1]http://www.typographyforlawyers.com/

[2]http://informationarchitects.jp/the-web-is-all-about-typogra...

[3]http://www.amazon.ca/Elements-Typographic-Style-Robert-Bring...

This may be information overload, but I've kept it bookmarked for a little while and refer to it from time-to-time: http://ui-patterns.com/blog/How-to-get-better-at-UI-design

That is a bit of a deep dive without a specific project, but hey thats what bookmarks are for right. Thanks, interesting link.

I would say just go out and find things you think are particularly well done. Blog about it, what attracted you to that piece, what you dislike. Then go back through it, you'll notice trends. Try to figure out why you react the way you do.

Then once you know what exactly you like and don't like, make stuff.

I think that the first step. Specifics are great too, eswat's recommendation, try to get your hands on Bringhurst's The Elements of Typographic Style. It is the bible for everything type, and is really well written.

If books don't help, you might try your local community college. Here in San Francisco they have all sorts of web-related courses, from basic HTML to graphic design for the web.

I had not really considered college yet, but I think I would rather focus on self study for the moment. I like the idea of having a few good starting points that I can grow my knowledge from in a "what would I want to know today" kind of way. Still a good idea though, its probably worth investigating if there are any _good_ courses out there.

You don't have to attend to get value out of classes.

Just look at the reading lists from design classes. You'll find introductory texts new and old, like "Design Basics, 7th ed." and "The Art of Color and Design (1951)," but they'll all cover the same things: line, direction, shape, size, texture, value, color, repetition, alternation, harmony, gradation, contrast, dominance, unity, balance, proportion. Take the class and you'll do exercises that let you practice each one, or you can find workbooks related to those textbooks.

Learn layout and composition. "Editing by Design" is a classic. Lay out text and design elements on paper (always Linux compatible). Cartography is also good: it's information design and layout and presentation and art all together.

Learn copywriting. Writing is design: the right word can explain a concept better than a big, shiny icon ever could.

Good web design is good design first, with accommodations made for low-resolution text, small viewports, backlighting, scrolling and pointers. Just as with programming, you can't learn it just by reading about it: you have to practice it.

If you're in Austin, TX, come out to a design workshop. I hold them every other week and we practice various elements of design (using the term broadly): http://vi.to/workshop/

If you're not, maybe there's something similar in your area.

( All suggestions stolen from a previous comment I made: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1290485 )

Unfortunately I am from Europe so I will have to take a pass on your workshop. I like the idea of finding a good list of introductory texts by looking at college courses and will definitely check that out.

I am aware that practice is going to be a key ingredient in getting a solid base, but knowing where to begin is often half the battle. Obviously with something as timeless as design, there are a lot of classics out there, but with emerging markets such as netbooks and mobile devices, some new approaches may have merit.

From your and other peoples' comments so far, a good starting point seems to be to dig into some of the classic literature (pretty obvious in hindsight heh). That should start taking care of my theoretical knowledge.

Apart from that, I think your suggestion of just doing layout and design on paper is really great. That will enable me to get a ton of practice without being roadblocked by my lack of experience with graphical tools. I suppose doing quick sketches on paper and then working from there is a pretty standard modus operandi for designers, but for some reason that wasn't obvious to me.

Steve Krug's "Dont make me think" is a good starting point

Those four words should be a developer mantra! (For some reason, we feel entitled to mental effort from others. I think it's because of our application of the Golden Rule.)

You may also check .Toolbox from Microsoft http://www.microsoft.com/design/toolbox/

design may varies.. what work on windows, might not work well on a mobile. what i do is to first go through the HCI manual for the platform i am working on. e.g. iPhone, Windows, etc. then explore ways to make it more user friendly for my users to complete their tasks. once i settle all these, i will go into the actual work of wireframing, color, etc.

As far as design basics for novices, Robin Williams's "The Non-Designer's Design Book" is far and away the best I've seen.

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