Learn Enough Design to Be Dangerous

Explore the fundamentals of design for developers in this 23-minute conference talk from React Miami 2022. Discover how design is a learnable skill as Kathryn Grayson Nanz breaks down key concepts such as color theory, Gestalt principles, visual hierarchy, and typography. Gain practical insights on creating balanced layouts, effective use of white space, and choosing appropriate typefaces. Learn to apply design basics to create visually appealing user interfaces, even without formal design training. Equip yourself with essential design knowledge to enhance your development skills and create more polished, user-friendly applications.

Intro
How did I end up here?
Contextual Influence
The Color Wheel
X Hues, Tints, Tones, and Shades
Warm vs. Cool Colors
Color Schemes
Monochrome
Analogous
Complimentary
Triadic
Braaaaaaains
Gestalt Principles of Design
Similarity
Closure
Continuity
Proximity
Figure/Ground
Symmetry
Visual Hierarchy Placement
X Creating Hierarchy through Size
Creating Hierarchy through Placement
X Creating Hierarchy through Color
Unbalanced Designs
Asymmetrically Balanced Designs
White Space
Early Typography
Typography Terms & Basics
Types of Type
Sans-Serif
Display