Designers can easily get stuck in the same old tracks. Be it rounded corners (which I bashed on Wisdump by the way), gradients everywhere, or just an overall style that could do with some fresh input.
A friend of mine reminded me of trying to do different things design-wise, every now and then.
A friend of mine reminded me of trying to do different things design-wise, every now and then. I’ve been too absorbed by everything else, so I just haven’t pushed myself forward as a designer. To do that, you need time to experiment, and you need energy to put into it. Two things that doesn’t come a-plenty, I’m afraid.
So here’s a thought for all the designers out there. Break your own mold on your next project. Do it in a different way, even if it doesn’t turn out just right, you’re bound to pick something up along the process.
Here are some suggestions on things you could do to break your mold:
- Rethink font usage. We all got our favorites, now try something different.
- Web 2.0 i very fresh and clean. Well, screw it – let’s do something dark and musty! Or the other way around, if you usually do dark designs.
- Are you a blog designer? Then change the composition of your next blog design. Do a one column theme (you know I like ’em), do something nifty with the sidebar, do a different navigation, just do something that isn’t so much Blog by You.
- Change your use of images in your next design. Heavy users go light, and vice versa.
- Use colors you normally wouldn’t! Try new blends and schemes. Or do it just in black and white, whatever differs from what you normally do.
Just a few pointers on the way, I know. What you can do to change your design mold is entirely up to you, and your style of course.
Me, I’ve already mapped out a design for a client, going with dark backgrounds and a powerful header/top, rather than the white fresh European thing I usually end up in. I’m confident it will turn out OK, I can see that already, and just by thinking along these lines I’ve come up with other things I want to try.
So go on, break your design mold. I dare you.
