Tips for Improving Advertising Design Skills

12 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Designer When I started in design, I used to think great work came from having the best tools or the right fonts. But over time, I realized it’s the principles, not the programs, that make your designs truly stand out. Here are the 12 design tips that helped me grow (and I’m still learning every day): 1. Nail the Fundamentals Balance, contrast, and hierarchy are everything. They turn chaos into clarity. 2. Learn the Art of Typography Fonts carry emotion. The right pairing can change how people feel your message. 3. Apply Color Psychology Colors speak louder than words. They can calm, excite, or build trust instantly. 4. Curate Meaningful Images Every image should have intent. Don’t just fill space. Tell a story. 5. Utilize Icons Wisely Icons should clarify, not decorate. Simplicity always wins. 6. Get Comfortable with Your Tools When you know your tools, creativity flows freely. Shortcuts = superpowers. 7. Start with Sketches Some of my best ideas started as messy doodles. Sketch first, refine later. 8. Connect with the Design Community The design world is full of people willing to share, help, and inspire. Reach out! 9. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone Growth happens when you stop playing safe. Try, fail, learn, repeat. 10. Build a Strong Portfolio Your portfolio is your story. Show who you are, not just what you’ve done. 11. Keep Your Creativity Fueled Take breaks. Explore outside design. Inspiration often comes when you’re not looking. 12. Ask for Constructive Feedback Feedback used to scare me. Now I crave it. It’s how we get better. I’m sharing this hoping it helps another creative who’s still figuring things out. Just like I was (and still am). #GraphicDesign #CreativeJourney #DesignTips #GrowthMindset #Creativity #Branding #DesignCommunity #Typography #Portfolio #ColorPsychology #DesignInspiration #PersonalGrowth #DigitalDesign #LinkedInCreators

Recently, I reviewed several portfolios from Egyptian designers and I noticed a huge gap in visual design fundamentals. If you’re a junior, mid-level or even senior, mastering visual design skills will instantly elevate the quality of your work. Below are resources I often recommend to designers who want to improve their eye for design and build stronger skills: Skip the UI books & kits for now and go back to the fundamentals. Learn these 3 things first: • Typography foundations • Layout systems & grids • Color & composition Must-read books (non-negotiable) these books will train your eyes and your brain to see like a designer: • Thinking with Type: Ellen Lupton • Grid Systems in Graphic Design: Josef Müller-Brockmann • Making & Breaking the Grid: Timothy Samara • Designing Type: Karen Cheng (bonus if you’re curious about type construction) • Interaction of Color: Josef Albers Train your eye with games, play once a day & you’ll start seeing details differently • http://cantunsee.space micro UI spotting • http://type.method.ac kerning challenge Study real-world web layouts, forget Dribbble & Behance. Study how space, type, and grids are used. • http://typewolf.com type in the wild • http://godly.website bold & modern layouts • http://hoverstat.es editorial inspiration • http://awwwards.com top and creative websites • http://mobbin.com collection of real life products Don’t just scroll them and take screenshots, recreate the layouts by hand. Break them down. Rebuild them. Study them. That’s how your brain memorizes structure, spacing, and flow. You’ll see better and design faster. This is how you build taste & skill, not by chasing trends, but by mastering how to do and spot a good design with intention. Save this for later. Revisit it often.

I’ve generated $80,000,000 for DTC brands with ad creative. Steal my 7-step formula: 1. Hook - This is the most important part of an ad creative. If the audience doesn’t stop scrolling to watch your hook, the rest of your ad creative will never get seen. Make sure it’s attention-grabbing and relevant. 2. Problem/Solution - It’s incredibly important to understand your audience’s problem and showcase your product as the solution. This framework is one of the best ways to convey why they need your product. 3. Customer Reviews - Social proof is essential. Highlight testimonials, reviews, or UGC that show real people loving your product. It builds trust and credibility. 4. Benefits and Features - Go beyond basic features—focus on benefits that speak directly to your audience’s needs. Why should they care about what your product offers? Explain how these features solve their problems or make their life better. 5. Call To Action - Guide your audience on what to do next. Whether it’s “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Get Yours Today,” make your CTA clear, compelling, and easy to follow. 6. Visual Appeal - People respond to visuals. Ensure your ad creative is aesthetically engaging, aligns with your brand, and matches the vibe of your target audience. 7. Testing & Optimization - An ad is never done after the first draft. Test variations, monitor performance, and continually optimize for better results. A/B testing can help you determine what resonates best. What step do you struggle with the most when it comes to this formula? 

How do I keep improving my visual design skills? I often get asked, "How do you keep improving your design skills?" Here's what works for me: → Save and Learn: I screenshot and save beautiful designs from websites, apps, and social media. These serve as a rich reference library. → Practice: I import cool interface elements into my figma file and copy them for practice. This helps me discover new ideas and techniques. → Get inspired online: I use Pinterest, Dribbble, and Behance to find inspiration for visual design, but make sure to keep usability in mind when using these ideas. → Learn from Peers: Browsing through my colleagues' design files often provides fresh perspectives and reusable elements. → Analyze existing apps: I regularly explore screens and walkthroughs of existing apps to stay updated with trends and ideas. → Create design presentations: I watch presentations from various speakers and draw inspiration from their styles. Then, I create presentation decks for my team to showcase our work effectively. → Use social media: I create content for my Instagram, including reels and carousel posts. This hands-on experience teaches me a lot and helps me explore new visual styles. → Work on side projects: Side projects help me explore and show off my design skills in fun and creative ways. What you should avoid: ❌ Copying Designs: Use inspiration, but don’t just copy—always prioritize usability and originality. ❌ Ignoring Feedback: Not incorporating feedback limits your growth and learning. ❌ Avoiding Practice: Skipping hands-on practice means missing out on discovering new techniques and ideas. In short: Gather inspiration from everywhere, practice by replicating designs, and and put your skills to use in both personal and work projects. How do you keep improving your design skills? let me know your thoughts in the comments.