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Ask HN: Design for a non-designer

Hello, I've been working on an app for android (game) in my spare time, learning android as I go, everything has turned out how I've wanted except the look and feel, UI, UX, I would consider all of those to fall under design. I plan on trying to build some websites/webapps eventually as well, learning as I go. I'm wondering if perhaps there's some guidelines for good design, tools that I'm just not aware of, or anything else that could help me become a better designer. Even if I can improve on my design skills though, I feel like at the end of the day I'm not a graphic artist and these things are just not possible for me.

I've also thought about getting another person to do design, but I feel like I really don't have a good enough understanding of what good design is and how to work with someone who just does the design. Are there any good guides and/or tools people have read/used to help in design, whether for a mobile app or website? Thanks!

( 3 comments | 6 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: Design for a non-designer by pdenya on Friday January 27, 2012 @08:13PM (#3520985)
Check out this article, I learned a ton about making things look good from it: http://flyosity.com/tutorial/crafting-subtle-realistic-user-...

I'm not sure what kind of assets you need but you might want to just buy vector stock art and customize it as needed rather than dealing with hiring a designer.

Re:Ask HN: Design for a non-designer by Shankem on Saturday January 28, 2012 @04:12PM (#3523293)
Thanks for the advice, the article was helpful.
Re:Ask HN: Design for a non-designer by revorad on Saturday January 28, 2012 @11:35AM (#3522448)
Design for Hackers by David Kadavy is really good - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1119998956/ref=as_li_qf_sp_...