How my graphic design background helps me as a UX designer

For many, the pathway into UX is not linear. Whether it means transitioning into a new career after 50 years in one or while you are just getting started in another one, I believe we have a lot to learn from our past experiences. As I approach my two-year anniversary in UX it felt like the perfect time to reflect on how my past skill sets in the Graphic Design space impact my work as an Experience Designer. Although these two industries vary greatly in terms of end products and processes, there is a lot of overlap in terms of the rules behind styling and aesthetics. Specifically, three rules come to mind so let’s break them down.

1. Color theory

At the most basic level, color theory is the science and art of using color. To take that into a more digestible manner, it is the explanation for how we perceive and interact with color consciously and subconsciously. Now that my dictionary writing days are behind me, the piece you have all been waiting for — how does this relate to UX?

The key here is that colors affect our emotions and behaviors consciously and subconsciously. Let me ask you this. Have you ever gone to the store and seen two of the same type of product on the shelf next to one another, but one was in boring packaging and the other in colorful and inviting packaging? If the…