What do you do if your design aesthetic needs refining?

The biggest consideration to remember is this is going to take time. It's a constantly evolving thing. Look at different design styles through history. Look at what's trending. Look at what isn't! Just make sure you sit true with yourself as to whether it's something that agrees or disagrees with you. Blend this feeling into your design work wherever possible.

Great! Sounds like you only need some tweaking! If the goal is refinement, you will need critique from someone in your field who has a keen eye and lots of experience. Mentors and successful peers will be excellent resources for on target feedback. But, don't discount the people your work is aimed at, ultimately that is the person who you hope to make an impact on.

First, identify areas that feel off - is the color scheme too loud, or the layout confusing? Then, gather inspiration from sources that align with your desired style. Look for successful examples and see how they achieve their look. Finally, experiment! Try tweaking elements like color balance, typography, or spacing.

Breaking the mold is what designers do best! Take the freedom you are afforded as a designer to experiment with any aspect of your work that interests you or where you know see potential for innovation. It is experimentation so don't worry about getting it just right, sometimes the mistakes are golden. Allowing yourself this space to try new things will keep your work fresh and also may attract innovators to you for collaboration.

Design is all about reflecting - whether that is looking back at how much you've developed as a designer on a high level - or if it's reflecting to assess what is currently happening in design and whether or not your style, approach and skills can live within this ever-changing industry or if they need to be fine-tuned. It's important to be your own critic in this sense and to critique your work from an objective standpoint. I also find it helpful to constantly be looking at new design inspiration and following what other designers are doing to see how design is shifting and changing.

Design aesthetics evolve over time, and sometimes your style needs a refresh. Explore online resources like design blogs or publications relevant to your field. Attend industry events or conferences to immerse yourself in new perspectives and design trends. Consider collaborating with other creatives, as this cross-pollination of ideas can spark inspiration and help you refine your aesthetic to stay current and impactful.