I've been a developer for several years now, but trying to learn the basics and fundamentals of designing web apps. Any recommendations or resources you'd suggest?
Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
1–10 of 10 posts
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#2There are some good books out there... such as (slightly outdated) "Design for Hackers" and "the design of everyday things"
... But if I were going to recommend a place to start I think you need to start small... begin by going to dribbble.com or awwwards.com and look around... get a sense for what you like, and more importantly, try to figure out why you like it. After you get an idea and take notes on the subject... try to fiddle around with copying the things that you like => personal blogs are amazing for this.
As a developer you should understand many of the principles that will get you to a good design: reducing complexity, intensional organization, being of service to the user, iterating your way to better designs, getting feedback/ testing your work.
Last tip: get some skin in the game. Charge someone for design work... nothing lights a fire under your ass like having your reputation on the line ;)
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#3Despite being somewhat dated, "Design for Hackers" is certainly the best book on a given subject.
https://www.dailyui.co/ is a great resource.
Dissecting and replicating other designers' work gets you a long way when it comes to learning.
Design is a craft and a thought process. As such, picking it is not beyond any determined individual's reach.
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#4Garry Tan (Former Partner @ YC) recommended these 2 design books as a must for engineers:
- Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability
- The Design of Everyday Things: Donald Norman
If you want be a really good designer, he recommends 4 more books: https://www.collectoral.com/collection/101397753425638859326...
You might also want to watch his video on design for startups: https://blog.ycombinator.com/design-for-startups-by-garry-ta...
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#5Garry Tan (Former Partner @ YC) recommended these 2 design books as a must for engineers: - Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability - The Design of Everyday Things: Donald Norman If you want be a really good designer, he recommends 4 more books: https://www.collectoral.com/collection/101397753425638859326... You might also want to watch his video on design for startups: https://blog.ycombinator.…
The design of everyday things should be a must-read for all engineers. I love talking about confusing doors to people I know, they probably all hate it by now!
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#6Haven't read it yet, but I saw some people were recommending this book: https://refactoringui.com/
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#7Graphic design? UX? For me it's testing a lot of online services and pay attention to details, figure out what works or not, what makes information easy to find, what makes tasks easy to be completed. Pick ideas here and there. It becomes "natural" after a while.
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#8Garry Tan (Former Partner @ YC) recommended these 2 design books as a must for engineers: - Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability - The Design of Everyday Things: Donald Norman If you want be a really good designer, he recommends 4 more books: https://www.collectoral.com/collection/101397753425638859326... You might also want to watch his video on design for startups: https://blog.ycombinator.…
The design of everyday things should be a must-read for all engineers. I love talking about confusing doors to people I know, they probably all hate it by now!
I always see people recommend this book, but the reviews on amazon are terrible. I feel like it gets recommended a lot because it's popular/old, not because it's actually good/insightful.
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#9Earlier quoted context omitted.
The design of everyday things should be a must-read for all engineers. I love talking about confusing doors to people I know, they probably all hate it by now!
I always see people recommend this book, but the reviews on amazon are terrible. I feel like it gets recommended a lot because it's popular/old, not because it's actually good/insightful.
It is insightful and makes us understand the fundamentals of usability - very much like math is for software development. But, it may not be immediately usable for developers in designing web applications. If readers are expecting widgets/screens, they might be disappointed with this book.
Re: Ask HN: Best way for a developer to learn design?
#10Garry Tan (Former Partner @ YC) recommended these 2 design books as a must for engineers: - Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability - The Design of Everyday Things: Donald Norman If you want be a really good designer, he recommends 4 more books: https://www.collectoral.com/collection/101397753425638859326... You might also want to watch his video on design for startups: https://blog.ycombinator.…
The design of everyday things should be a must-read for all engineers. I love talking about confusing doors to people I know, they probably all hate it by now!
That's a great example of usability! Developers like us are used to libraries/frameworks and forget most algorithms and architecture (literally the word itself) come from real world examples. We expect the same in usability - get bunch of CSS/UI library and complete the job. This book is useful, if we want to learn about usability from real world examples, rather than cookie cutter CSS/libraries.