Tom Kenny Design | The Most Important Thing Designers Have (2024)

Designers often mistake tools as the most important thing we have but something else is far more important

I had an interesting discussion about tools with a designer friend of mine. This comment of his got me thinking:

The design tool is the most important thing we have as designers

I completely disagree.Knowledgeis the most important thing we have.

A tool doesn’t make you a better designer. Knowledge and understanding of design does. No amount of features in a design tool will make your design work more effective. You may become more efficient but the actual quality of design work won't change, unless you improve your design knowledge.

People like to think tools are the answer to becoming a better designer because it’s much easier to start using a new tool than to learn what makes great design truly great. That’s why experts constantly get asked what tools they use but in reality they can produce the same quality of work with any design tool. Their knowledge and experience gives them their expert status, not the tools they use.

Your tools DO NOT affect the quality of your work. The less time and effort you spend worrying about your tools the more time and effort you can spend creating great design. The right tools just makes it easier, faster or more convenient for you to get the results you need.

Knowledge is the real power to great design.

And knowledge is exactly what you’ll gain from my book, Learn from Great Design Volume 1. I teach you what makes great design from great websites with hours and hours of studies done for you, so you can take that knowledge and make great websites yourself, no matter what tool you use.

Learn more about the book and get your copy today.

Tom Kenny Design | The Most Important Thing Designers Have (2024)

FAQs

Tom Kenny Design | The Most Important Thing Designers Have? ›

Knowledge is the most important thing we have. A tool doesn't make you a better designer. Knowledge and understanding of design does. No amount of features in a design tool will make your design work more effective.

What are the basic principles of design? ›

There are twelve basic principles of design: contrast, balance, emphasis, proportion, hierarchy, repetition, rhythm, pattern, white space, movement, variety, and unity.

Why are designers so important? ›

A Good Design Will Make You Look Good

Professionally designed, aesthetically pleasing graphic designs will cause your customers to form a positive opinion of your service, product or brand.

How do you describe your design decisions? ›

Often the best way to articulate design decisions is by showing stakeholders using prototypes. When stakeholders experience how your design solves a problem, they're more likely to trust your decision-making. For example, you might create two prototypes.

How can I be the greatest designer? ›

How to be a good graphic designer
  1. Earn an education in design. ...
  2. Take online design courses. ...
  3. Specialize your work. ...
  4. Determine your signature style. ...
  5. Find a mentor. ...
  6. Seek feedback from other designers. ...
  7. Join online design groups. ...
  8. Collaborate with skilled designers.
Feb 13, 2024

What are the 7 elements of design? ›

7 Elements of Design and Rule of Thirds

Design elements are the basic units of any visual design which form its structure and convey visual messages. The elements of design are line, shape, form, space, texture, tone (or value) and color, "These elements are the materials from which all designs are built."

What is the primary goal of good design? ›

Good design is a concept defined by industrial designer Dieter Rams's principles: It makes a product useful and understandable, is innovative, aesthetic, unobtrusive, honest, long-lasting, thorough to the last detail, environmentally friendly, and involves as little design as possible. Designers strive for good design.

What is the proper role of a designer? ›

Each designer's role varies from employer to employer, but common activities include: Staying up to date with industry trends to keep ahead of competitors. Producing consistently excellent visual work. Producing a host of ideas, selecting the best ones and selling them to the other members of the team and to clients.

What is a designer supposed to do? ›

Using various technologies, a graphic designer creates useful, meaningful, and functional visuals. The work depends mainly on a client or company's needs, but general designer responsibilities may include: Developing visual assets to support a marketing campaign. Designing a graphic overlay for social media posts.

What drives your design decisions? ›

Experience Based Design. For the experience based designers, every design decision is a conclusion of the results of similar decisions made by them in the past. Experience is powerful, and designing based on experience seems to be the safest option.

What is a key design decision? ›

The Design Decision / Recommendation: Providing an overview of decision/recommendation highlighting the key expected or known implications for the operating model, data, technology, process & people, and how it supports the approved business outcomes and design principles.

How to defend your design decisions? ›

✅ Explain how your current decision impacts business goals. ✅ Highlight key takeaways from previous rounds of feedback. ✅ Highlight advantages and risks to show they've been considered. 🚫 Don't fight an argument: find the problem brought into spotlight.

Why is it so hard to be a designer? ›

Life as a designer is a series of sprints. But managing a creative business can be relentless … it's a bit like a sourdough culture wanting attention every single day. Look away for a short while and you're forced to work doubly hard to bring it back from the brink.

Can a designer be a millionaire? ›

While becoming a millionaire is rare, graphic designers absolutely can prosper through their creativity, business acumen, and drive. With the right priorities and positioning, a fulfilling and financially rewarding career is achievable.

What are the 7 principles of art and design? ›

The principles of art and design are balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity/variety. The use of these principles can help determine whether a painting is successful, and whether or not the painting is finished.

What are the 6 principles of design explain each? ›

Start with the six principles of design: balance, pattern, rhythm, emphasis, contrast, and unity. Just as instructional design models and methodologies shape your training strategy, so should these principles shape your basic visual strategy. By applying them, you can create high-impact visuals.

What are the 7 principles of interior design? ›

There are seven main principles of interior design: balance, harmony, rhythm, proportion and scale, emphasis, contrast, and details. These concepts can be applied to any room in your home, from the living room to the bathroom.

What are the 8 principles of design? ›

The 8 principles of design are fundamental to creating visually appealing and effective designs. These principles are balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, proportion, repetition, and unity.

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