Ask HN: Design for a Software Guy?

5 points by haseman 16y ago ↗ HN

I've been writing software for more than 6 years now, and I've realized, somewhat painfully, that I can't design my way out of a paper bag. Are there any good resources out there about graphical design geared for a programmer? Are classes in 'Making Art with Photoshop' worthwhile? I understand the ideals of good user interface design, but when I go to mock up something for a personal app I hit a wall.

3 comments

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rubinelli 16y ago ↗

Sitepoint has great books about design. Although they are geared towards web design, most of the principles are universal. There's also the obvious recommendation, "The Non-Designer's Design Book."

Gibbon 16y ago ↗

I'm a designer and the two books I always recommend to non-designers and newbies are:

Design Elements: A Graphic Style Manual (http://www.amazon.com/Design-Elements-Graphic-Style-Manual/d...)

and

The other is the complementary case studies book "Design Evolution" (http://www.amazon.com/Design-Evolution-Handbook-Principles-C...)

Also Graphically Speaking is useful if you want to know how a particular style is constructed (artistic, corporate, vintage etc.)and you need to be able to effectively communicate with other designers or clients. (http://www.amazon.com/Graphically-Speaking-Achieving-Designe...)

haseman 16y ago ↗

Excellent set of links! Thanks!