How to Build Your UI Taste as a Designer

So, how do you build your UI taste?

Developing your unique UI taste is an exciting journey, and the good news is you’ve already started. From the moment you began designing, every interface you’ve seen, every project you’ve touched, and each new idea you’ve encountered has shaped your eye. Let’s go over a few ways to build your UI taste.

Notice what catches your eye

Think about the designs that made you stop and stare. What pulled you in—the color harmony, the typography, the imagery, or the layout that just felt right? Recognizing what attracts you is the first step. Don’t limit yourself, either. The internet is a massive gallery; keep exploring.

Study established designers

Refine your taste by studying the work of established UI designers. Get a feel for their style, and note what you admire. The goal isn’t to copy, but to understand what makes a design successful so you can bring those decisions and elements into your own way of working.

Go beyond appreciation

When you find a design you like, push past “that looks good.” Analyze it—and say out loud what works and why. Use language that feels natural to you. Maybe the color palette makes you feel cheerful, the layout guides your eyes effortlessly, or the subtle animations bring the interface to life. Naming what you feel clarifies what you value.

This practice may feel odd at first, but it’s powerful. By regularly articulating what works, you train your brain to connect design elements with the feelings they evoke. Over time, patterns emerge, preferences form, and your instincts sharpen.

Develop your design gut

You’ll reach a point where you can glance at a design and know what works and what doesn’t. That instinct doesn’t require memorizing every term or principle. It asks you to stay aware, curious, and honest about your observations and feelings. This isn’t just about learning good design—it’s about feeling it, internalizing it, and making it part of who you are as a designer. Trust me, when your gut kicks in, designing becomes more intuitive and a lot more fun. Let it lead.

Look beyond UI for inspiration

Inspiration isn’t limited to screens. Look at art, architecture, fashion, music, and nature. Use your eyes like a designer: spot patterns, textures, colors, compositions, contrast, and harmony—and consider how those elements could inform your next UI.

Treat practice like a muscle

Taste grows with use. Design and redesign. Experiment with styles. Learn the rules, break them with intention, and create a few of your own. If you’re focused on tools, keep practicing to sharpen your craft—repetition builds judgment.

Seek feedback and enjoy the process

Ask for feedback. Constructive critique accelerates growth. And remember: developing your UI taste is an ongoing journey. It will evolve as your experience and exposure grow. Keep learning, keep designing, and, most importantly, enjoy the process.

Conclusion

Your taste is already forming; now you’re training it. Pay attention to what moves you, study what works, speak your observations out loud, and practice until your instincts become second nature. That’s how your unique UI taste takes shape, and how your work starts to feel yours.