Staying relevant in the ever-changing world of design is always an uphill battle for designers. But it’s a good kind of challenge that makes you better each year.
There will be new design trends, technologies, and concepts to follow and learn about every year. The key to surviving and staying relevant is to always improve your design skills and nurture creative growth.
If you’re looking for inspiration to level up your skills this year, we have a few great suggestions for you. These skills will play an important role this year in helping you land more clients and grow as a designer. Make sure to add a few of these to your new year goals.
1. Leveraging AI in Design Projects
Designers often misunderstand the use of AI in design. AI tools are meant to aid your design process and speed up workflow; they are not here to replace you. The sooner you broaden your understanding of AI the better you can improve your design skills.
Instead of boycotting AI design tools and ignoring the advancements in technology, look for ways to incorporate AI tools into your design workflow. Find tools that allow you to automate small and tedious tasks. And better optimize your time to focus on things that matter the most.
2. Prioritizing Accessibility-First Design
Accessibility-first design is more than just a trend. It’s a necessity that makes all types of designs accessible to all. From choosing the right color palette to creating animations, you should always put accessibility first in your design approach.
Explore and learn about the accessibility best practices. More importantly, study the latest accessibility laws to ensure your design projects follow proper standards. Use tools like Stark and AccessiBe to create more inclusive web and graphic designs.
3. Leveling Up Your Typography Game
Typography has always been a key aspect of every design project. Yet most designers still lack a proper understanding of the role of typography in design. This year, make it a goal to learn more about typography to go beyond just choosing the right font.
Learn about glyphs, using alternate characters, and find ways to leverage new types of fonts, such as color fonts, in your design projects. Also, keep an eye on the latest typography trends and explore topics like font psychology to broaden your skills.
4. Learning to Code
Having at least a basic understanding of coding is important for designers. It will not only make your design process much easier but will also allow you to collaborate more effectively with developers to create effective user experiences.
Today, it’s much easier to learn code than ever before, especially thanks to new AI tools. freeCodeCamp and The Odin Project are two of the best places you can go to learn to code. You can also use tools like ChatGPT to learn coding.
5. Adopting Sustainable Design Practices
One of the most discussed topics in design is sustainability. Whether it’s a packaging design, poster design, or website design, finding ways to minimize the environmental impact of the materials and practices used in your projects will play a key role in landing eco-conscious clients.
Adopt and promote your sustainable design practices not only as a way to market your services but also to create more eco-friendly designs and make the world a better place, one design at a time.
6. Mastering Motion Design
Web design clients are no longer impressed by static visuals and images. They want websites with micro-interactions and cool animations that attract and engage with visitors.
Especially in mobile UI design, these subtle micro-animations and interactive elements play an important role in boosting engagement.
Web and UI designers will have to level up their motion design skills this year to keep up with this growing trend. Thankfully, most of the tools you’re using right now, including apps like Figma, already include features to help you get started.
7. Exploring Different Types of Projects
If you stay stagnant for too long, someone else will surpass you before long. This popular saying perfectly encapsulates the importance of trying new things. The only way to grow your design skills is to keep challenging yourself.
If you’ve been doing the same type of work and working with the same types of clients for too long, it’s time to try something different this year. Take on a new project that challenges your creativity and look for ways to diversify your clients.
8. Exploring New Design Tools
Many of the apps and software that used to be the “best” in the past no longer hold the same throne. Designs that used to take days to finish with one software can now be done in minutes using AI-powered apps.
With the constantly increasing pricing of popular design software, it’s high time to look for better and more advanced alternatives. Learn to use AI tools and design software together to work more efficiently.
9. Starting a Side Project
Some of the most successful freelancers and entrepreneurs are known for finding success in their side projects. Those small projects that you work on just for fun, could turn out to be the big break you’ve always been hoping for.
This year, adjust your schedule and set aside time to work on your side project. Create something that you can not only be proud of but also use as the best example of your work in the portfolio.
10. Upgrading Your Personal Branding
Are you still showcasing the same case studies on your portfolio from many years ago? Have you optimized your social media pages to take advantage of trending topics? Have you uploaded your latest work to Dribbble and Behance?
While maintaining a freshly updated portfolio is an important part of personal branding, there are many other things you can do to improve your identity and establish authority. For example, you can start sharing your knowledge with others on social media, start a blog, and create video content on TikTok and YouTube. Find ways to set yourself apart from others and be more competitive this year!
Conclusion
Whether you’re a veteran designer or just starting your design career this year, these skills will be a good starting point to upgrade your career prospects in a meaningful way.
Be sure to read good books, take online courses, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends to be even more competitive as a skilled designer. You can start by bookmarking our design trends page.
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