How does your design process begin?
For many, I imagine it starts with seeking inspiration on platforms like Dribbble and Behance.
And that's perfectly fine!
They're great places to:
- Find new ideas
- See what others are working on
- Boost your own visibility in the market
But...
They Don't Represent the Real World
The designs you see there don't reflect how websites and applications truly look in the real world.
Think about it, they focus heavily on aesthetics over usability.
In fact, they are the result of countless iterations and immense effort, all with a single goal: to create a "wow" effect.
Back in the day, platforms like Dribbble and Behance were used for sharing sketches, wireframes, and detailing design processes. They weren't necessarily for showcasing finished products meant only to promote the author and land their next gig.
But that's not the case anymore.
This transformation took place, partly, because these platforms have evolved into marketplaces where potential clients can hire designers directly.
For this reason, among others, everything you see is a highlight, and everything tends to follow the same design trends.
Yes, everything looks the same because, though no one wants to hear it, risk, creativity, and distinctiveness often scare clients away.
And here's where the problem arises: you go in seeking inspiration, but you end up comparing yourself and feeling terrible.
The Pitfalls of Constant Comparison
This constant comparison creates immense pressure and the urge to live up to an unreal standard, severely hurting your well-being and career becase of a variety of reasons.
1. Self-Doubt and Imposter Syndrome
Comparing yourself to highly polished work is damaging. As I already said, such projects often involve huge effort and unrealistic goals and this can make you feel inadequate.
You might start believing you're not good enough, even when you are.
2. Distorted Reality: Real-World Apps Don't Look Like This
Actual apps prioritize usability, functionality, and business goals.
They rarely display the same visual extravagance as Dribbble or Behance and this creates a disconnect between perceived and actual industry standards.
3. Undermining Your Value and Lowering Your Rates
Feeling your work isn't "enough" leads to undervaluing your skills and this self-depreciation can make you doubt your worth.
Consequently, you might lower your hourly rate or project fees by mistakenly believe you don't offer sufficient value.
What to Do Instead of Comparing Yourself
1. Remember It's Not Always Realistic
The designs you see are often highly curated highlights, not the typical reality of client projects. They prioritize aesthetics over real-world usability and technical constraints.
Keep that in mind.
2. Focus on the Underlying Problem-Solving
Instead of getting caught up in the visual polish, try to decipher the design problem the creator might have been trying to solve.
Think about the user flow, the information architecture, and the overall user experience, not just the "wow" factor.
This is what UX/UI design is all about. Otherwise, it would just be UI design, which is fine if that's your sole interest, but in my humble opinion, UI without UX is like a three-legged chair.
3. Extract Specific Techniques, Not Whole Designs
If you see something you like, break it down. Is it a unique typography pairing? An interesting color palette? A clever animation?
Isolate the specific techniques you can learn from, rather than trying to replicate the entire piece.
4. Think Outside the Box
While trends can be appealing, constantly following what others do can limit your own creativity. Embrace original thinking.
Designing outside the current trends can open doors to unique opportunities and clients looking for something truly different.
Need help with planning, design, development, or even business strategy?
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Let’s connect and talk about your project.