How Devs Can Improve Their UI/UX Skills

December 9, 2024

As developers, it's easy to focus on functionality and let UI/UX take a backseat. After all, if the code works, users will figure it out, right? Not quite. In today's competitive tech landscape, a product that "works" is not enough—it must also feel intuitive, look polished, and engage users seamlessly.

Improving your UI/UX skills doesn't mean you need to become a full-fledged designer. By focusing on a few key areas, you can dramatically improve your designs and create user experiences that stand out. Here's how.

1. Learn the Basics of Design Principles

Good design starts with understanding its principles. These include:

Contrast: Ensures key elements stand out.
Alignment: Creates a clean, organized layout.
Proximity: Groups related elements together to enhance clarity.
Repetition: Establishes consistency across your design.
Balance: Keeps your design visually stable.

Spend time learning these principles and observing how they're used in apps and websites you admire. Tools like Canva Design School or The Non-Designer's Design Book are great resources for beginners.

2. Use Design Systems and Frameworks

If you're unsure how to start designing, leverage design systems like Material Design or Apple's Human Interface Guidelines. These frameworks provide pre-built components and guidelines for creating cohesive, accessible designs.

Similarly, UI libraries like Chakra UI or Tailwind CSS can speed up development while enforcing consistent design patterns. Some popular ones for web development:

Chakra UI
shadcn/ui
Tailwind
Mantine
Ant Design
NextUI
MUI

3. Get Feedback Early and Often

It's easy to become blind to flaws in your work. Regular feedback from users, designers, and even fellow developers is invaluable. Share mockups, prototypes, or even screenshots and ask:

Does this layout make sense?
Is this button easy to find?
Does this flow feel intuitive?

Feedback tools like UX Eyer, Figma comments, or even informal discussions with peers or users can uncover issues early, saving you from costly changes later.

4. Study Great UI/UX

The best way to improve is by observing others. Take notes on apps or websites you admire. What makes their navigation intuitive? How do they guide users? Platforms like Behance and Dribbble are goldmines for design inspiration.

Don't just focus on the visuals; study their usability too. Tools like the Chrome UX Report can help analyze successful sites and apps.

5. Think Like a User

It's easy to assume users will understand your interface the way you do. However, your perspective as a developer is vastly different from that of your target audience. Adopt a beginner's mindset:

Simplify complex interactions.
Minimize clicks to complete tasks.
Write copy that speaks to users, not developers.

Empathy is key. Analytics tools can help you understand real user behavior.

6. Invest in Accessibility

Accessibility is not just ethical—it's essential. Overlooked accessibility issues like poor contrast, missing alt text, or inaccessible navigation can alienate a significant portion of your audience.

Use tools like Lighthouse or axe to identify and fix accessibility issues. Remember, inclusive designs benefit all users.

7. Experiment and Iterate

UI/UX improvement is a journey, not a destination. Test your ideas and learn from the results. You can run A/B testing with different designs and measure what resonates best with users.

Keep track of what works and refine your approach over time.

Start Improving Today

Improving your UI/UX skills doesn't require a massive time investment—it's about making consistent, incremental improvements. Start by observing, experimenting, and seeking feedback. Over time, you'll find yourself designing experiences that not only work but also delight your users.

UX Eyer uses AI to evaluate your designs for issues like inconsistent layouts, inaccessible components, or copy that doesn't resonate. It instantly provides actionable insights, helping you fix issues faster and learn along the way.