Want to know an easy way to improve your designs? Changing your perspective can help you see things freshly and make your projects 100 percent better.
So maybe you’re designing ads for your Facebook page and you’re just not sure which way to align the text. Or you’re working on a pin design and you aren’t sure if the fonts you’re using work well together.
When I worked in an office, I could just turn my computer screen to the designer sitting next to me and ask for some feedback. But when you work from home or run your own business, there’s not usually someone to ask. (My dog, Penny, doesn’t share my design aesthetics so I don’t like to ask her!).
When you’re doubting your design work or not sure what you can do to make it better, here are a few ways you can change your perspective and step up your work.
Change your perspective physically
Take a few steps back. Make your project fill the screen. Get out of your chair and look at it from a distance. Turn your laptop sideways and upside down. I do this, seriously.
Zoom out and then zoom in
Put that Control/Command plus or minus shortcut to work. Consider these images of sunflowers. When you zoom out, you’ll see how the pieces work together. Up close, you’ll notice the little details that can make your project look so much more polished.
Create a mock up
Consider how your project will appear on a screen, in print or on a phone. How are people going to actually see it? If it’s something small like a YouTube thumbnail you want to think about how it’s going to look next to other thumbs. What can you do to make your design stand out?
There are lots of mock up templates that will allow you to see your product in a more realistic way if you’re creating physical products such as business cards, t-shirts or mugs.
If you’re creating graphics for social media, here’s a trick. Take a screen grab on your phone or computer, open the image in your design program, and place a preview of your design on top.
Take a break to change your perspective
Go for a walk. Read. Shut down the computer and do something else for a little while. Sometimes you need to reset and take it easy to let the ideas spark.
Share your work and get feedback from other creative people
I’ve created a Facebook group Level Up Your Designs, where graphic designers of all levels can share their work and share feedback in a constructive way.
I can work with you as a coach and help you workshop your project. Contact me to find out how we can work together.
Still feeling stuck?
I’ve created a free workbook, How to Get Started as a Graphic Designer When You Don’t Feel Like a Creative Person. It has tips on how to unlock your creativity and get into the right mindset to get creating.
Did these tips help you ?
Now that you’ve got some ideas or maybe noticed some flaws, work up new drafts of your design. You can also print your work and try some of these tips. Let me know in the comments below or share your projects in Level Up Your Designs. I’d love to see what you create. Share and pin this post if you find these tips helpful.
