Good design makes you do a double-take. Many of us may be familiar with the phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover.” In everyday life, we make assumptions based on our inherent knowledge and first impressions. However, design grants us the opportunity to dig deeper. My double-take design philosophy is the idea that a design and design process can be transformative by being bold, vibrant, and clean.

The idea of boldness in design typically is associated with type choices. Strong typography can elevate any design, yet being bold can also mean stepping outside of your comfort zone. To reevaluate our understanding of the creative process. Trying a new perspective, method, medium, or narrative to expand the playing field. 

Adding a strong visual element, like vibrant color, can add life to the design process. Every time I start a project, I make an iteration in black and white, and then I experiment with a combination of colors and patterns. It is the delicate balance of hue, saturation, and contrast that can transform a design.

Clean design points to clarity, continuity, and consistency. The perspective that a design can be sleek and timeless. Being detail-oriented is a skill I work on every day that will help me excel in professional practice.

My goal as a designer is to make people reevaluate their approach to design. Design is not a linear path, and sometimes we need to take a second look to truly appreciate what it is.