Learning to See

“Learning to design is, first of all, learning to see. Designers see more, and more precisely. This is a blessing and a curse — once we have learned to see design, both good and bad, we cannot un-see. The downside is that the more you learn to see, the more you lose your ‘common’ eye, the eye you design for. This can be frustrating for us designers when we work for a customer with a bad eye and strong opinions. But this is no justification for designer arrogance or eye-rolling. Part of our job is to make the invisible visible, to clearly express what we see, feel and do. You can‘t expect to sell what you can’t explain.”

Learning to See, by Oliver Reichenstein

13 Comments leave a comment below

  1. I absolutely love your short paragraph on the Designer’s job to “See” what “could” be best for their clients. It was so to the point in its short description, I wouldn’t change one word :-)

  2. Reading the half oft it I thought about Oliver Reichenstein. He gave a talk at UX Munich last friday.

    He said excellent designers wear monocles. One sharp eye you need to see the world as a designer, one fuzzy eye to see the world as a normal person and to find problems in certain things.

    And then I was suprised that the quote was from him. He gave one of the best talks I listened to.

  3. Great quote. And, interestingly application and parallel to our use of the word “design” as it relates to “purpose, planning, or intention that exists” behind an action or invention with an individual, group, team, system or organization.

  4. I see a smart quote instead of an apostrophe on “can‘t expect”… D:

  5. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it
    is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could
    I desire to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions.

    Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read more things about it!

  6. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my weblog so i came to “return
    the favor”.I am trying to find things to enhance my site!I suppose
    its ok to use some of your ideas!!

  7. Awesome blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?

    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m a little lost
    on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like WordPress or go
    for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m totally confused
    .. Any ideas? Thanks a lot!

  8. I think that is one of the most vital info for me.
    And i’m satisfied reading your article. But want to observation on some general
    issues, The website style is perfect, the articles is truly great
    : D. Good process, cheers

  9. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the
    layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself?
    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see
    a nice blog like this one today.

  10. Asking questions are in fact pleasant thing
    if you are not understanding anything entirely, but this post presents fastidious understanding yet.

  11. Asking questions are truly fastidious thing if you are not understanding anything totally, but this post offers pleasant
    understanding yet.

  12. Article writing is also a excitement, if you be acquainted with afterward you can write
    if not it is complex to write.

  13. Aw, this was an incredibly nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a great article…
    but what can I say… I hesitate a whole
    lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.