how to find your own design style
TRANSCRIPT
Design StyleReed Snider
About MeMultimedia arts & design academy graduate
Studio art minor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA
Attended SACI Art School in Florence, Italy
Past Experience:● Marketing for high-tech security company● Small business owner (RS Designs)
○ Graphic & web design● Web designer at AppFolio Inc.● Working at UXC while attending Bentley
University full-time
What is Style?
Examples of Good Style
How to Create Your Own Style
Design Style IRL
What Is Style Anyways?
It’s not something you come up with today...or tomorrow
It takes practice!
What Is Style Anyways?
It comes in many forms
It’s everywhere
What Is Style Anyways?
Everyone has a style
Other people will probably tell you
about it before you notice it yourself
It’s expressive, so don’t hide it!
People Who Have Great Style - IMHO
Michael Schwab
Years in the business: 35+
Style:
Bold yet simple
Only uses ~3 colors plus black and white
Dramatic, heroic figures
Interplay between negative & positive space
Bold Simple Dramatic Figures
Not As Original As You May Think
1927 US Railroad
Advertisement
1920’s British Air Poster
…..
Jonathan (Jony) Ive
Years in the business: 25+
(20+ at Apple)
Style:
?
Nielsen anyone?
Finding Inspiration
How Do I Find My Style?
Observe● Get inspired!
Originate
● Create something!
Iterate
● Take steps to explore different paths along a tangent
Refine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=215&v=wB63odkphhg
Repeat!!
Where Can I Draw Inspiration?
Nature
Museums
Classmates
Movies
Online
Awwwards.com
Dribbble.com
Ui-patterns.com
reddit.com/r/design_critques
The Truth
“There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible.
We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a
sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and
they make new and curious combinations. We keep on
turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but
they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have
been in use through all the ages.”
What It Looks Like In Real Life
Most design job assignments are purpose-driven, you might not
have the freedom
Your style may get you the job, but it won’t always let you keep it
(be prepared for change)
Listen and be ready to contribute
Use your knowledge to defend your decisions
Get feedback early and often
Design is subjective
Thank You