I’ve never really proclaimed myself to be a “great” designer (although I do think I’m pretty good). I have no formal training in graphic design, everything I know and do has all been self-taught. While most graphic artists I speak with tell me that is one of my strengths (I don’t recycle the same templated designs taught in school and thus have developed a “rogue eye”); I find that my lack of formal education in the theories of design and specifics of software sometimes leaves me unknowledgeable of certain practices and shortcuts. This sometimes causes projects to take longer than expected.

However I’ve noticed something about my design process, and I’m not sure if it’s just me or if this is true for most designers, but it seems as though I complete 80% of the project in about 20% of the time spent on the project… and then spend 80% of the time focusing on the remaining 20% of the work, fine-tuning and polishing little details.

I just find it ironic that the majority of the time on the project is spent on only 20% of the design! But then again, I suppose it’s that 20% of detailed polish that makes the project stand out.

- Nathan