How to grow as a UI designer the quick (but not the easy) way

There is no speed limit.

User Interface (UI) Design is deceptively simple, especially when done right. It’s a bunch of lines, boxes, and text after all. It is easy to grasp basic concepts but hard to become good at it.

While there are many design systems out there to get you up and running quickly, understanding the design methodology, approach and style takes much more time.

Here are 10 things I did and still do that make me “feel” I’m becoming a better designer:

1. Develop your UI instincts by copying successful products

Recreating Airbnb Mobile Homepage

Copying is the only way to get your bearings when you’re first starting out.

Copying helps you better understand how something is made while learning the technique and developing muscle memory. (Just don’t pass others’ work off as your own.)

Instagram or Airbnb wasn’t built in a day. Learn from years of design iterations by copying successful software products. This will develop your UI instincts and make you notice design elements that weren’t apparent.

As you hone in on the smallest button interactions, placement of information, you…