Design StyleReed Snider

About MeMultimedia arts & design academy graduate

Studio art minor at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA

Attended SACI Art School in Florence, Italy

Past Experience:● Marketing for high-tech security company● Small business owner (RS Designs)

○ Graphic & web design● Web designer at AppFolio Inc.● Working at UXC while attending Bentley

University full-time

What is Style?

Examples of Good Style

How to Create Your Own Style

Design Style IRL

What Is Style Anyways?

It’s not something you come up with today...or tomorrow

It takes practice!

What Is Style Anyways?

It comes in many forms

It’s everywhere

What Is Style Anyways?

Everyone has a style

Other people will probably tell you

about it before you notice it yourself

It’s expressive, so don’t hide it!

People Who Have Great Style - IMHO

Michael Schwab

Years in the business: 35+

Style:

Bold yet simple

Only uses ~3 colors plus black and white

Dramatic, heroic figures

Interplay between negative & positive space

Bold Simple Dramatic Figures

Not As Original As You May Think

1927 US Railroad

Advertisement

1920’s British Air Poster

…..

Jonathan (Jony) Ive

Years in the business: 25+

(20+ at Apple)

Style:

?

Nielsen anyone?

Finding Inspiration

How Do I Find My Style?

Observe● Get inspired!

Originate

● Create something!

Iterate

● Take steps to explore different paths along a tangent

Refine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=215&v=wB63odkphhg

Repeat!!

Where Can I Draw Inspiration?

Nature

Museums

Classmates

Movies

Online

Awwwards.com

Dribbble.com

Ui-patterns.com

reddit.com/r/design_critques

The Truth

“There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible.

We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a

sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and

they make new and curious combinations. We keep on

turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but

they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have

been in use through all the ages.”

What It Looks Like In Real Life

Most design job assignments are purpose-driven, you might not

have the freedom

Your style may get you the job, but it won’t always let you keep it

(be prepared for change)

Listen and be ready to contribute

Use your knowledge to defend your decisions

Get feedback early and often

Design is subjective

Thank You