Developing a designer’s eye isn’t about being born with some magical gift. It’s a skill that can be cultivated — and like any skill, it gets better with practice. I used to think designers were born with some kind of sixth sense for color, layout, and typography, but over time, I realized that it’s all about honing your instincts. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been designing for a while, these five practical exercises will help you sharpen your visual instincts and boost your creative confidence. Let’s dive in!
1. Study and deconstruct existing designs
One of the best ways to develop your designer’s eye is to look — really look — at great design that already exists. When I first started, I spent hours studying designs that inspired me. It wasn’t just about admiring them, but understanding why they worked. Here’s how you can do it:
- Break them down: What fonts are being used? How’s the layout structured? What’s the color scheme? For example, I once studied a few high-end brand websites, and I noticed the use of white space was strategic, guiding the user’s eye naturally to the key content.
- Ask why: Why did the designer make that choice? Is the hierarchy clear? Does the design lead your eye naturally? After analyzing some minimalist websites, I realized that the lack of clutter allowed the brand’s message to shine through without distractions.
- Screenshot and annotate: Take a screenshot of a design that catches your eye, then annotate it. Mark areas of strength and things you’d change. This practice will help you internalize good design patterns. When I first started, this exercise gave me more insight into design principles than any textbook could.
Doing this consistently helps you recognize what works and what doesn’t, and it’s a great way to start developing a design language of your own.
2. Play with color and contrast
Color is one of the most impactful elements in design. And yet, when I was beginning, I wasn’t confident in my color choices. Over time, I learned how to use color intuitively to enhance the mood of my designs.
Try this:
- Build a mood board using complementary, analogous, or triadic color schemes. Pinterest or Figma are great for this! I love creating mood boards for my projects because it gives me a visual sense of what works together.
- Take a design you admire and create 3 different color variations of it — changing only the color palette. Doing this really helped me see how different colors could change the entire feel of a design. I remember changing the color of a logo I had created and realizing how different it felt, just by swapping from a cool blue to a vibrant red.
- Experiment with light/dark contrast. Try placing white text on soft backgrounds versus bold ones. I used this method in one of my personal projects, and the difference in readability was eye-opening. What feels more legible? What evokes the emotion you’re aiming for?
Doing this exercise regularly will sharpen your color intuition and help you understand how to create harmonious, emotionally resonant designs.
3. Create your own designs — and revise them
Theory is one thing, but nothing beats actually putting pen to paper (or, more likely, mouse to screen). I can’t stress enough how much growth comes from actually designing. Start with something simple, and don’t stop at your first draft.
Here’s how to level up:
- Set a timer for 30 minutes and create a poster for a fictional event. When time’s up, take a break, then come back with fresh eyes and tweak it. This exercise helped me improve my speed and forced me to stop overthinking, which I realized was holding me back early on.
- Post your work on platforms like Dribbble or Behance. Ask for feedback, even if it feels a little scary. I remember getting my first real critique and feeling nervous, but it turned out to be incredibly helpful. Sometimes the most valuable tips come from strangers who don’t have the same biases you do.
- Revisit old designs and try to improve them with your current skill level. Over the years, I’ve come back to designs I thought were “finished” and found ways to improve them. You’d be surprised at how much you’ve grown and how your perspective changes over time.
Iterating is where the real progress happens, and you’ll feel much more confident as you do it.
4. Study typography and layout
Typography isn’t just about choosing pretty fonts. It’s about communication. The way you arrange your text can make or break a design. I used to think typography was easy until I realized how much it could impact the way a design feels.
Start small:
- Choose 3 font pairings and test them across different contexts: headers, body text, and captions. I had to learn this the hard way — at first, I would choose fonts based purely on how they looked together, not on how they functioned.
- Practice spacing and alignment. Take a random quote and lay it out 3 different ways. I found that adjusting spacing and alignment can completely change how easy it is to read and how it feels.
- Observe how magazines or editorial layouts use typography to build mood and hierarchy. Typography is one of those invisible design elements. When it’s right, you don’t notice it, but when it’s wrong, it’s painfully obvious. Training your eye here will pay off hugely in your designs.
5. Take on mock challenges
Sometimes, it’s tough to find “real” work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own opportunities to practice. Mock projects are a safe place to experiment, fail, and grow. I love doing mock projects because they push me to try new things without the pressure of a client or deadline.
Here are some ideas:
- Redesign the homepage of your favorite app. I did this with Instagram, and it forced me to think about the user experience and interface design in a new way. It also gave me a portfolio piece to showcase.
- Create a logo and brand identity for a fictional coffee shop. You can choose any theme that excites you. I did this once for a fictional ice cream shop and it was a fun exercise in exploring visual storytelling.
- Design a carousel post for Instagram with tips on something you’re passionate about. This is a great exercise if you’re into social media design, and it helps you think about how to communicate complex information visually.
You can also join daily or weekly design challenges (check out FakeClients.com or briefz.xyz). These are great for practicing under a deadline and simulating real-world design conditions.
🎯 Bonus tips to keep your designer eye growing
- Practice daily: Even 15 minutes counts. Sketch a layout, try a new Figma plugin, or rework an old piece. Small daily efforts add up over time.
- Collect inspiration: Use Notion, Pinterest, or just a screenshot folder on your phone. Keep it organized by categories (typography, layout, color, etc.). This is a great way to keep fresh ideas flowing.
- Stay updated: Follow design blogs, watch YouTube breakdowns, and read case studies. The more you see, the more you train your eye. I love watching design breakdowns because they teach me new tricks and techniques.
- Compare versions: Take your first design and your latest one side by side. Where did you improve? What habits are you keeping or discarding? This will give you insight into how much you’ve evolved and what’s working for you.
💬 Final note: It’s about the journey
Nobody becomes a master overnight. Training your eye is a continuous loop of observation, creation, and reflection. Be patient. Stay curious. Keep designing.
The more you practice, the more instinctive it all becomes — and one day, without even thinking, you’ll look at a blank canvas and just know what feels right.
Keep going — your designer’s eye is already getting sharper.
From zero to design hero — keep creating!
by Cris.