3 ms·

The thing is, i look at this theme and i know it looks great, but i can't understand why! As an hacker really bugs me. I know this color tools, but what are th

by sek 15y ago

The thing is, i look at this theme and i know it looks great, but i can't understand why! As an hacker really bugs me. I know this color tools, but what are the ingredients that makes something look good compared to another design? When i think the rounded colors are the reason, something like this comes up and proves me wrong. I am aware design is not a trivial matter (i work at IDEO), but where do i start?

no-espam 15y ago
Two things that transcend trends. White space + good typography. Colors are an accent.
lbotos 15y ago
There is an underlying grid. The typography has a consistent visual flow. The elements form the structure on the "page/screen" instead of creating containers to hold the elements. Not to sound pompous, but there is clarity. You may want to look into swiss design for influences. If you wanna talk to someone who went to art school with more specific questions, feel free to email me. My email is in my profile. :)
- sek 15y ago
  The email in your profile doesn't work.
  - lbotos 15y ago
    Fixed and responded to your email. Good luck and don't blame us when you start to see the world differently.
willifred 15y ago
I can understand feeling frustrated, but it's a little unfair on yourself. Most designers hone their ability through constant application of their skill, not to mention very often years of expensive schooling. Nobody does it overnight. Although it's certainly possible to do without the expensive formal schooling. > what are the ingredients The ingredients (AKA the elements and principles of design): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_elements_and_principles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_elements_and_principles If you're not going to quit your job to go to SVA or RISD, I'd say the best place to start is to pick up a few books and do exercises. Give yourself time, don't get frustrated, and work at it. There are a lot of good resources in print out there. You could do worse than Alan Pipes's Foundations of Art and Design http://www.laurenceking.com/product/Foundations+of+Art+---+Design+%282nd+edition%29.htm http://www.laurenceking.com/product/Foundations+of+Art+---+D... I'm not aware of anything really fantastic available for free online.
- sek 15y ago
  Thanks for the suggestions, what is so difficult for me is i don't see progress. How i said, i don't think it is something to learn overnight. I just don't saw a starting point yet, in the technical world there is always a tutorial. That book sounds very interesting, this is probably the thing i was looking for.
  - willifred 15y ago
    This might be helpful too, a very good book on the basics: http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Grammar-Design-Briefs-Christian/dp/1568985819/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2 http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Grammar-Design-Briefs-Christian...
  - s_o 15y ago
    I'm just like you in that I'm more of a hacker that has trouble figuring out how to make things look good. Try this book (I've read 3/4 of it--excellent book): http://www.amazon.com/Design-Hackers-Reverse-Engineering-Beauty/dp/1119998956/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330211725&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Design-Hackers-Reverse-Engineering-Bea... It was made just for people like us!
zacharycohn 15y ago
I really like the book Design for Hackers http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J578EW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zaccom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J578EW http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J578EW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... by David Kadavy. I read it, and I've told about six of my friends to buy it. They all have, and we've all gone from really no design sense whatsoever to at least being able to understand WHY something looks good (or not)

by sek 15y ago

no-espam 15y ago

Two things that transcend trends. White space + good typography. Colors are an accent.

lbotos 15y ago

There is an underlying grid. The typography has a consistent visual flow. The elements form the structure on the "page/screen" instead of creating containers to hold the elements. Not to sound pompous, but there is clarity. You may want to look into swiss design for influences. If you wanna talk to someone who went to art school with more specific questions, feel free to email me. My email is in my profile. :)

sek 15y ago
The email in your profile doesn't work.
- lbotos 15y ago
  Fixed and responded to your email. Good luck and don't blame us when you start to see the world differently.

willifred 15y ago

I can understand feeling frustrated, but it's a little unfair on yourself. Most designers hone their ability through constant application of their skill, not to mention very often years of expensive schooling. Nobody does it overnight. Although it's certainly possible to do without the expensive formal schooling. > what are the ingredients The ingredients (AKA the elements and principles of design): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_elements_and_principles http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Design_elements_and_principles If you're not going to quit your job to go to SVA or RISD, I'd say the best place to start is to pick up a few books and do exercises. Give yourself time, don't get frustrated, and work at it. There are a lot of good resources in print out there. You could do worse than Alan Pipes's Foundations of Art and Design http://www.laurenceking.com/product/Foundations+of+Art+---+Design+%282nd+edition%29.htm http://www.laurenceking.com/product/Foundations+of+Art+---+D... I'm not aware of anything really fantastic available for free online.

sek 15y ago
Thanks for the suggestions, what is so difficult for me is i don't see progress. How i said, i don't think it is something to learn overnight. I just don't saw a starting point yet, in the technical world there is always a tutorial. That book sounds very interesting, this is probably the thing i was looking for.
- willifred 15y ago
  This might be helpful too, a very good book on the basics: http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Grammar-Design-Briefs-Christian/dp/1568985819/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2 http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Grammar-Design-Briefs-Christian...
- s_o 15y ago
  I'm just like you in that I'm more of a hacker that has trouble figuring out how to make things look good. Try this book (I've read 3/4 of it--excellent book): http://www.amazon.com/Design-Hackers-Reverse-Engineering-Beauty/dp/1119998956/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330211725&sr=8-1 http://www.amazon.com/Design-Hackers-Reverse-Engineering-Bea... It was made just for people like us!

zacharycohn 15y ago

I really like the book Design for Hackers http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J578EW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zaccom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J578EW http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J578EW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?... by David Kadavy. I read it, and I've told about six of my friends to buy it. They all have, and we've all gone from really no design sense whatsoever to at least being able to understand WHY something looks good (or not)