How do you design for different standards and conventions?

1 Know your audience

The first step to designing for different standards and conventions is to understand who you are designing for. What are their needs, preferences, values, and goals? How do they perceive and process information? How do they interact with your design medium? You can use various methods, such as surveys, interviews, personas, and user testing, to gather insights about your audience and tailor your design to their expectations and behaviors.

2 Follow the rules

The second step is to follow the rules and guidelines that apply to your design project. These may include technical specifications, legal requirements, accessibility standards, and ethical principles. For example, if you are designing a website, you need to consider the web standards, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, that ensure compatibility and functionality across browsers and devices. You also need to comply with the laws and regulations that protect the privacy and security of your users, such as the GDPR or the CCPA. Additionally, you need to follow the accessibility standards, such as the WCAG, that make your website accessible and inclusive to people with disabilities. Furthermore, you need to respect the ethical principles that guide your design decisions, such as honesty, transparency, and social responsibility.

3 Learn the conventions

The third step is to learn the conventions and best practices that are common and accepted in your design field, industry, or culture. These are the norms and expectations that your audience has about how your design should look, feel, and function. For example, if you are designing a logo, you need to consider the conventions and best practices of logo design, such as simplicity, scalability, memorability, and relevance. You also need to consider the conventions and best practices of the industry or culture you are designing for, such as the colors, symbols, fonts, and shapes that convey the appropriate meaning and emotion.

4 Be creative

The fourth step is to be creative and innovative with your design. While following the rules and conventions is important, it does not mean that you have to limit your creativity or copy what others have done. You can still express your unique style and voice, as long as it does not compromise the clarity, usability, and effectiveness of your design. You can also challenge the rules and conventions, if you have a good reason and a clear purpose, and create something new and original that stands out and engages your audience.

5 Test and refine

The fifth step is to test and refine your design based on feedback and evaluation. You need to check if your design meets the standards and conventions that you have followed, and if it achieves the goals and objectives that you have set. You also need to see how your design performs and resonates with your audience, and if it meets their needs and expectations. You can use various methods, such as prototyping, usability testing, analytics, and reviews, to measure and improve your design outcomes and impacts.

6 Keep learning

The sixth step is to keep learning and updating your design skills and knowledge. Standards and conventions are not static or fixed; they change and evolve over time, influenced by technology, culture, and society. You need to stay updated and informed about the latest trends, developments, and changes in your design field, industry, or culture, and adapt your design accordingly. You also need to keep learning from other designers, experts, and sources, and seek inspiration and guidance from their work and experiences.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?