Struggling to shake off perfectionism? You’re not alone! Crafting beautiful designs can be a true joy, but devoting too much time to detail work before solving the problem at hand can be detrimental. In this article, we’ll delve into five common traps that lead designers into detail-focused work at the wrong moments, and share tactics to refocus on goals, ship faster, and keep your craft where it counts.
Reason #1: You’re Afraid to Show Rough Work
We designers worship detail. This often leads to opening Figma and starting to polish long before polish is needed. The key lies in treating early sketches as tools for thinking and actively sharing them to get feedback faster.
Reason #2: You Fix the Symptom, Not the Cause
Before tackling any task, it’s crucial to understand the business outcome you’re aiming for. Without the right context, any visual tweak is lipstick on a pig.
Reason #3: You’re Solving the Wrong Problem
Sometimes, the home screen isn’t the place to sell; visitors open the app to start, not to buy. Contextual entry points deeper into the journey will perform brilliantly.
Reason #4: You’re Drowning in Unactionable Feedback
The questions you ask and the context you provide are crucial for every design discussion. Prepare to get actionable and focused feedback by stating the problem, what you’ve learned, and how your idea aims to fix it.
Reason #5: You’re Just Tired
Decision fatigue can lead you to hide out in the easy, comfy zone of pixel-pushing. To combat this, swap tasks, talk to other designers, take a break, or step away. Set yourself up for fresh, motivated design sessions.
Four Steps I Use to Avoid Drowning In Detail
- Define the Core Problem & Business Goal
- Choose the Mechanic (Solution Principle)
- Wireframe the Flow & Get Focused Feedback
- Polish the Visuals (Mindfully)
Wrapping Up
Next time you feel the pull to vanish into mockups before the problem is nailed down, pause and ask what you might be avoiding. With a commitment to quality content for the design community, Smashing is willing to help you face those challenges head-on.
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