Two Core Principles That Help Beginner Designers Grow Fast

From understanding requirements to imagining user flows—how new designers level up faster

Starting your first design project can feel exciting—but also overwhelming.
If you’ve just stepped into the world of product design, the first few months are critical.

So how do some junior designers grow much faster than others?

After working with dozens of early-career designers, I believe it comes down to two key principles:

1. Deeply understanding the requirements

2. Actively imagining the user flow

Let’s break each one down.

1. Understanding the Requirements = Saving Time + Designing with Confidence

A design’s success depends less on how pretty it looks, and more on how accurately it meets the brief.

But here’s the catch: most beginner designers only understand the requirements superficially.

That leads to misalignment, wasted time, and rework.

So how do you improve your understanding of the requirements?

① Clarify with your PM, even if it’s awkward

Product managers often speak in vague terms:

"We need this to feel fresh, but not too playful."

Don’t nod and hope you got it. Ask. Clarify. Repeat it back.

Break the mental habit of trying to get it right the first time. Instead, prioritize collaborative clarification.

It’s always better to ask “dumb” questions early than fix costly mistakes later.

② Write it down—like a checklist

Make it a habit to create a requirements summary doc before you design.

What should it include?

• - Core features

• - Business objectives

• - Design tone and mood

• - Target user persona

• - Platform constraints (e.g., mobile vs desktop)

• - Timeline and dependencies

Turn this into your North Star—your compass that keeps you from drifting.

③ Search for real-world references

Before jumping into Figma, find competitors. Study how others solve similar problems.

Look at how they:

• - Use layout, spacing, and visual hierarchy

• - Guide the user through flows

• - Use color and typography to communicate tone

• This is also a great way to build a shared visual language with your team.

④ Build 10%, share early

Don’t spend 5 days designing 10 pages before showing anything.

Instead, design one page—or even one screen—and validate it.
Ask: “If the rest of the flow follows this style and structure, are we aligned?”

This creates a baseline for faster decisions, easier feedback, and less waste.

2. Visualizing the User Flow = Building Intuitive Design

Many beginners focus only on the static UI. But product design isn’t about screens—it’s about experiences.

Your mockups don’t exist in isolation. They’re part of a user’s journey.

So how can you start thinking like a product designer?

① Understand CRUD: Create, Read, Update, Delete

Every digital product is based on CRUD.

Let’s say you’re designing a task manager.
A real user flow must include:

• - Creating a task

• - Viewing the task list

• - Editing a task

• - Deleting completed or irrelevant tasks

If any of these are missing, the product feels broken.

As a designer, don’t wait for devs to point that out. Anticipate it early.

② Sketch flowcharts and user journey maps

These tools may sound fancy, but they’re incredibly practical:

• - Flowcharts help you map out screen-to-screen transitions

• - User journey maps add context—what the user feels, needs, or expects at each step

Even drawing rough versions on paper or FigJam can spark insights.

You’ll spot gaps before they become bottlenecks.

③ Think in personas, not just pixels

Before designing, ask yourself:

“Who am I designing for? What do they care about? What are they trying to achieve?”

Define your user persona:

• - Age / role / habits

• - Pain points

• - Desired outcome

• - Context of use (on the go? in an office?)

By thinking through these lenses, your design decisions become sharper—and far more effective.

Final Thoughts: Design Is Not Just About Tools. It’s About Thinking.

Great designers don’t just know how to use Figma.
They know how to interpret vague ideas, break them down into concrete steps, and build something that feels effortless to use.

If you’re just starting out, remember:

• 1. Understand the "why" before drawing the "how"

• 2. Think about flow, not just layout

• 3. Validate early and often

• 4. Design with empathy, not assumptions

The best way to grow is to keep working on real projects, asking questions, and building that pattern recognition muscle.

Every project you touch is a chance to get better.

Start with understanding. Grow by imagining.

And most of all—design like someone is really going to use it.
Because they will.