Resources to Hack Design (opens in new tab)

This site doesn't work properly an iPad 2 safari. CSS is not valid.

These are all great resources, but remember:

The most important part of design is sitting back and thinking about the impact your choices will make. What will a given element say about your product? How will it affect functionality? If you can ask these questions, you can achieve great design. It easy to be distracted by glossy aesthetics, but a simple, well-thought-out, polished, application is what your goal should really be.

So pay attention to every detail.

No pixel should go unexamined. It sounds hard, and at first it's tedious, but it quickly becomes habitual. You start to look at the corners of boxes, or unfocus your eyes after you read a logo.

If you're going to take this one step further, learn about typography and negative space. Specifically vertical rhythm and the use of 6.

Just like you can't "hack" a well-designed API, you can't "hack" good design. It takes effort, attentiveness, and the willingness to try ten variations before you choose an option.

I'm curious as to why you list things that you haven't used - I think the list should be a little more curated.

I would add these to the list, which have been essential to my learning iOS design: http://pttrns.com http://www.teehanlax.com/blog/iphone-4-gui-psd-retina-displa...

I commend the author for pulling together these resources, but sorry, if you're not a designer (and have very little interest in being one) don't try to be one. Why? If I wanted to learn development (I'm a designer), I wouldn't look at a quickie primer on popular languages and frameworks or look at a list of code snippets. I'm sure to some design is a joke, but if you truly care about your product/whatever, you'll pay for it to be done properly (and whether subconscious or not, your customers will take notice).

A good round up of design resources.

A good set of resources. Thanks.

Here's a few more that I've found useful:

http://iconfinder.com (or the similar http://findicons.com)

http://365psd.com (free photoshop file everyday)

http://www.colourlovers.com/ (great for picking a color scheme)

http://graphicriver.net (really cheap graphics)

http://themeforest.net (themes)

This is a great list. You've nailed all the major resources. Good job!

I commend you for your effort, but you can get a designer for cheap, and that can elevate your product tremendously.

Without you having to hone your design skill if you are not interested in it.

Here's a quick intro tutorial on design that I put together:

http://www.visualmess.com

It was #1 on HN for a little while a year ago, and I still get positive comments on it. Hopefully it will be useful.

This list is great. Design is a lot like hacking. Keep making small improvements until you have something presentable. Don't be afraid to throw something out and start all over.

Thank you for these great resources.

Are there any recommended books for backend developers / hackers / programmers, about introduction to design?

Thanks for this. Perfect timing, as I'm getting close to launching something.

Can't you put it altogether in a single cheat sheet for us lazy folk :)