Learning Product Design

an optimal design may be one that isn't the most efficient, but instead ensures the majority of users clearly understand what action they're taking - even if it is at the expense of some savvy users.

people new to design tend to confuse an idea for the expression of an idea. Ideas are easy, because they don't rely on specifics. Expressing ideas is incredibly difficult, because doing it well requires a deep understanding of the medium that is only possible by having worked in it, such as understanding which methods to use where, identifying subt... See more

words are one of the most essential yet least appreciated parts of a product. They form the user's mental model, guide users on how to use the product, and can affect their emotional response. Most designers, especially new designers, treat copy as an afterthought, but a good designer knows you must sweat every word as much as you do ever UI box, b... See more

the easiest thing to do in a product is add a feature. People new to design tend to see the world of product as a set of features to build more than an experience to balance, and they rush to add things until they paint themselves in a corner with an encumbered experience that lacks a cohesive purpose. Balancing and integrating takes a lot more eff... See more