Learning UI Design from Scratch: Don’t Rush into Software — Train Your Eye First

Many beginners with zero experience in UI design first ask: "Which software should I learn first?"

As a UI designer with two years of professional experience, I’ll be honest: software is the least important part. What truly sets you apart is your aesthetic taste and design sense.

UI design, simply put, is interface design—every button and layout in the mobile apps and websites you’re using right now is created by UI designers. Its core is not just "looking good" but also "presenting functions clearly."

So how do you learn UI design from scratch? I’ve broken it down into 3 steps:

1. Train your eye first, then start designing

Good taste isn’t innate; it comes from observing and learning consistently.
I browse Chinese design platforms like ZCOOL, UI China, Huaban, and Meiye every day, saving great layouts, color schemes, and interaction details to my inspiration library. When I need color ideas, I look for inspiration on Coolors. The more you see, the more precise your work will be.

2. Master typography, color, and design rules

UI design is highly logical—font sizes, spacing, button states, and more all follow mature standards.
The best way to learn is to replicate designs. Choose an interface you like, rebuild it pixel by pixel, and you’ll naturally grasp fundamentals like grids, hierarchy, and contrast.

3. Software is just a tool; pick the right one

The industry standard today is Figma—it’s free, collaborative, and has a powerful plugin ecosystem, covering all needs from beginners to professionals.
Sketch is Mac-only, and XD updates slowly, so learning Figma is the most efficient choice. Teacher Caomao’s tutorials on Bilibili are perfect for new learners; follow along once, and you’ll master the basics.

Once you learn the fundamentals and start real projects, you’ll face two more key tasks: building a portfolio and communicating details with clients or developers—these are essential skills for UI designers.

At the end of the day, you can learn software in 1–2 weeks, but building aesthetic taste and design thinking takes a lifetime. Once your eye is trained, your skills will follow naturally.