Key Steps I follow before I start designing.

Being a designer there are certain process that every designer follows when they start with any project which includes research, sketch, design etc. I thought sharing some of the key points that I keep in mind while starting any project.

1. Research — Understand the Product

Research is an integral part which is often misunderstood for user–centered design process. Often this cycle is repeated, with each iteration bringing the product closer to perfection.

And as for research, ideally you’ll want to know as much as you can before you start, so it should be the first step

The research phase is where you make sure you’re going in the right direction instead of blindly sprinting ahead. Being prepared and having a solid plan means you won’t have to backtrack as much later, so a little extra work at the beginning saves you a lot of time and effort at the end.

For my research purpose I generally follow below tools/apps/steps:

1. Under standing competitors websites
2. Create InVisionapp Boards — Create your board for each phase eg. wireframe, design style, or just inspiration
3. Search Pinterest Boards
4. Gomoodboard.com

2. Paper prototype / Wireframes

Once you’ve done enough user research, wireframe is the barebone structure of any project, where dedicating time to building one allows you to flesh out your sitemap without more complex details distracting you. Wireframe is the most basic form of exploring your path to the project. It helps you to draft the key features, play with them without spending too much time though getting the best result possible.

This is my fav stage as it allows me to work on number of interactions without wasting too much of time.

Tools to follow while making the sketch/wireframe

1. Paper prototype (I suggest including this method in your design practise to get better and faster result)
2. UXPin (Works fine)
3. Axure (I use this for better high fidelity prototypes)

3. Involve client

When you not involve or communicate with client often lead things to frustration, unhappiness and, most importantly, work that failed to meet everyone’s expectations. For a designer, sharing regular feedback with clients and involving them in every step of the design process might sound like a risky proposition, but it is necessary and beneficial to the design process

Consider this steps

1. Ask questions as much as possible
2. Create an impression that you are serious about what you do

Share your ideas with client — This where designers fail and lead to frustration that client doesnt understand them.. I would suggest explaining your thought process behind it

3. Make communication transparent if you dont get something tell rather saying yes and wasting time later on.

4. Visual Design

Visual design is something keep changing every now and then. There is no certain pattern that you can follow. When it comes to visual design its always a good idea to stick to your style and thats what make you different from other. As everyone have their on style you can follow the above steps and it seems to be followed by other peoples too but when it comes to visual design giving your touch will be advisable. I usually try upgrading myself with new trends keep working and practising new things to survive in the industry.

If you just stop learning you will die as learning is a never ending process and it helps you to compete with others and stay in industry

Spend time untill you get the better result just dont focus on look but focus on the usability of the product because usability is the key for any design.

Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works. — Steve Jobs

Tools/tips/steps for visual design :

1. Sketch (this tool has blow my mind the way it works I think I would never go back to photoshop but as you know every tool got their PRO and CONS.)
2. Dribbble (This tool made me a better design over the time and helped me learn everything I know today. You gotta see variety of design styles and trends. )
3. Spend time on redesigning someone else design and try to make it in your style.
4. UI8.net some good stuff card design that this people have made started following them recently.

I am sure I am not the only one who have mentioned this steps but a lot of people did before but its always good to share, you may dont know someone may find something in your process and it may help them to learn something new. So never stop sharing even it has been shared/written so many times :)

Also few tips to remember

1. Overthinking kills — Never spend too much of time thinking on something over the time which will only lead you to wast time and make you less productive. Draw whatever comes in your mind and never think if that will work on not.. make options and choose 1 path to follow

I did this a lot in past and tried to improve myself over the time

2. Share, communicate and get feedback — I always love sharing what I am working with my fellow designer and always ask them for their input which always helped to improved my skills and work in a better direction.

When you communicate with people you get to know different opinions and different approaches from the people which lead to better idea. People now a days use dribbble for getting the feedback but I would not consider it as a feedback tool where it is more of sharing your work.. So go around meet people discuss.

3. Take a break — Freelancer used to work 15 to 18 hours a day (which similarly I was doing in my early career) which lead to the life I never dreamt off. Being alone, no friends no family time.. Work is always important but so the life and we work for that so Take a break spend some time with friends and family and get social :)

4. Stand when you fail — Just dont stop when you failed this is a single that there is something you doing wrong and you have to stand and correct it. People often give up so easily because they dont want to try harder and give up so early.. People who succeed in their life failed so many times and that lead to what they are today

Failure is path to success

I would love to know your thoughts what you think about this and do provide your input…