Advice For New Web Designers

How does an aspiring web designer develop creativity? We all start out imitating the WORK OF OTHER WEB DESIGNERS. However, as we develop our abilities, we need to break away from the pack, and find our own voice. Here is a short response I gave to a new web designer who asked me to critique his new online portfolio. Other aspiring web designers may find this advice useful as well:

"Ken, your portfolio web site shows a good mastery of the technical skills of web design and is well organized and easy to navigate. However, it has the same look and feel as many of the "web 2.0" sites that you typically see in smashingmagazine or other sites made by designers for designers.

My suggestion is to start developing your own voice as a web designer. Step away from the pack. Create design that is not a copy of what is currently popular or the design fad of the day. Focus on what people who buy stuff like and not other designers. Look for design influences outside of web design . . . Look for design influences from other periods in history . . . this will expand your outlook and creativity and will benefit your web design.

For example: One recent source of inspiration I used personally was a fascinating museum exhibit of streamlined automobile design from the 1920's and 1930's. I was able to see these cars up close and it was an amazing lesson in design and craftsmanship that has influenced my work as a web designer. You can do the same, look for influences outside of web design to bring a fresh viewpoint to your work."