The Best Advice I Ever Received as a Designer

Early in my career, I received a piece of advice from my team lead that has shaped the way I approach design to this day: There is always a reason behind every design decision.

At first, it seemed like a simple statement, but over time, I realized its profound significance. Design is not about making things look good—it's about making them work, feel intuitive, and serve a purpose. Every element placed on a screen, every interaction designed, every color or typeface chosen must have a rationale behind it.

Intentionality Over Aesthetics

One of the biggest mistakes new designers make is prioritizing aesthetics over functionality. It’s easy to get caught up in making an interface visually stunning, but without a clear purpose behind design choices, beauty alone is meaningless. If a button is placed somewhere, it should be because that’s where users expect it. If a color is chosen, it should align with the brand’s message and improve readability. If an interaction is added, it should enhance usability, not just add flair.

Backed by Research, Not Assumptions

Another lesson I learned from this advice is that intuition is good, but research is better. Just because something “feels right” doesn’t mean it’s the best solution for the user. Every design decision should be validated—through user research, usability testing, or data analytics. Whether it's understanding how people navigate a dashboard or why a particular call-to-action needs to stand out, decisions should be backed by evidence, not just personal preference.

Justifying Every Decision

In the real world, design isn’t created in isolation. Stakeholders, developers, and product managers will ask, Why did you design it this way? If your only answer is Because it looks good, you’ve already lost the argument. Having a strong rationale—whether it’s usability principles, accessibility guidelines, or user behavior insights—gives credibility to your work and helps gain buy-in from teams.

A Lesson That Stuck

This advice has influenced how I approach every project. Now, before I make any design decision, I ask myself:

• What problem am I solving?

• How does this decision improve the user experience?

• Is there data or research to support this choice?

• If challenged, can I confidently explain why I did this?

By being intentional with design choices, I’ve not only improved my craft but also built stronger trust with teams and stakeholders. This simple piece of advice—there is always a reason behind every design decision—has been a guiding principle throughout my career, and I believe it’s one every designer should live by.