At its most basic level, design is a communication tool.

It’s not only text like in books, visuals like in photos, or motion like in movies — it’s the art of mixing those compellingly.

The choice of typography, colors, layout, copy, movement, and visuals creates conversations with the audience.

Some of it calls out for attention, while other design elements are subtle and create connections in people’s minds.

Technology has dramatically affected design in recent years. People use mobile phones and internet browsers that have brought designs to life with motion and interactions through finger and mouse gestures.

People consume brands today in many different ways, through social media, apps, websites, ads, and so forth. The variety is forcing companies to turn their brands into whole design systems.

Brands want to be instantly recognizable in any format — without the presence of a logo. The New York Times brand is instantly recognizable through its custom font. The Spotify design language is recognizable through colors and forms. Nike is recognizable through extraordinary athletes and dark colors. These features make the brands distinct.

VR and AR glasses are evolving design systems further into a 3D world. It happens more as XR grows in popularity.

I work with people that are extremely good at design.

I’m often in awe seeing what they can do. It feels like a god-like skill to me to create beauty and harmony out of unorganized chaos.

I’m not a designer myself. I was a developer with a passion for design and sometimes even wondered if I picked the wrong field.

I know good design when seeing it, and I secretly design in my spare time. It never looks impressive, but I enjoy the process.

Great designers and developers work hard on their craft to become better at it every day.