A hub for in-depth design tutorials and coverage of new design trends created by professional freelance designers in the Toptal network. https://www.toptal.com/designers/blog en-usnoA hub for in-depth design tutorials and coverage of new design trends created by professional freelance designers in the Toptal network. Gestalt principles reveal how the brain organizes visual information. When applied thoughtfully, they improve interfaces by guiding attention, reducing friction, and making interaction feel immediate. Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/gestalt-principles-of-design gestalt-principles-of-design ADEL BENZEHDA, SENIOR UI/UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Classic brands aren’t built on fleeting trends. They honor their brand promise, use enduring design principles, and balance legacy with innovation to inspire customers through the decades. Wed, 26 Mar 2025 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/brand/how-to-create-timeless-branding how-to-create-timeless-branding MICAH BOWERS, BRAND DESIGNER @ TOPTAL AI doesn’t diminish creativity—it amplifies it. Toptal designers reveal how Adobe Firefly’s tools, like Generative Fill and Text to Vector Graphic, elevate your work and client results. Sat, 30 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/adobe/adobe-ai-art adobe-ai-art JESSICA SOUZA, DIGITAL DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Which tool should you choose? From reusable components and real-time collaboration to voice prototyping and developer handoff, a UI/UX expert weighs the features of the leading UI design platforms to help you select the best tool for your project. Thu, 28 Nov 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/figma/figma-vs-adobe-xd-vs-sketch figma-vs-adobe-xd-vs-sketch SÉRGIO ESTRELLA, UI/UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Do your designs and presentations engage audiences—or lose their interest? In this in-depth Q&A, a Toptal designer with experience at Ikea and Lego shares visual storytelling techniques that grab attention, persuade stakeholders, and inspire action. Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/graphic/visual-storytelling visual-storytelling LUCÍA MERLO, VISUAL DESIGNER @ TOPTAL The symptoms of bad product design can be subtle at first. Learn how to spot unexpected hazards early on and develop a winning product strategy. Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/product-design/bad-product-design bad-product-design DAMIR KOTORIĆ, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Product design is complex, and new apps and tools fail all too often. Incorporate these six key activities into your workflow to create digital products that thrive in the marketplace. Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/product-design/product-design-process product-design-process CHRISTIAN ADOLPHUS, PRODUCT DESIGN LEAD @ TOPTAL AI impacts user experiences by making digital products more responsive to individual user needs. A seasoned product designer specializing in AI explains how to avoid pitfalls and maximize the potential of the latest technology. Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/ai-user-experience ai-user-experience AKIS APOSTOLIADIS, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Are users scrolling past your brand’s social media images? Try these graphic design techniques to create expert visuals that grab attention on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and beyond. Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/social-media/social-media-graphics social-media-graphics MICAH BOWERS, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Improving your checkout flow can dramatically increase conversions and user satisfaction. A veteran UI/UX designer explains how she reimagined the checkout process of the seventh most visited e-commerce site in the US. Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ecommerce-ux/e-commerce-checkout-flow e-commerce-checkout-flow BEATRIZ GARCIA DE PRADO, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Reciprocity, commitment, social proof, and scarcity are powerful tools for increasing user engagement and sales. Explore the ways that Amazon, Airbnb, and YouTube leverage these factors for conversion optimization. Sun, 19 May 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/ux-design-to-improve-website-conversions ux-design-to-improve-website-conversions SHOAIB MAHMUD, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Figma’s intuitive animation features enhance usability by adding subtle motion effects to UI components like icons, buttons, and product cards. Wed, 15 May 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/figma/animate-in-figma animate-in-figma ANNA MURATOVA, UI/UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL The global mental health app market is booming, and research suggests that using thoughtful UI design can give newcomers to the space a competitive edge. Here’s how. Sun, 21 Apr 2024 22:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/mobile/mental-health-app-design-for-families mental-health-app-design-for-families FELLYPE SILVA, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL How can designers draw people into your product’s virtual, digital, or physical world? Take UX to a new level with these expert perspectives on immersive experience design. Wed, 03 Apr 2024 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/immersive-design/immersive-experience-design immersive-experience-design CLARKE NOONE, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL UX writing should strike the right tone and be empathetic and persuasive. Create a frictionless user experience with these three best practices. Wed, 13 Mar 2024 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/ux-writing ux-writing KATE MARGOLIS, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Poor SaaS design can cause customers to get frustrated and flee. Follow these best practices to create a seamless software experience that users will love. Sun, 03 Mar 2024 23:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/saas/saas-design saas-design AHSAN JALIL, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Webflow can cut website design time in half—enabling designers to devote more attention to driving traffic and boosting conversions. Wed, 21 Feb 2024 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/webflow/webflow-best-practices webflow-best-practices PAVLE LUCIC, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Ideally, aesthetics and functionality would merge seamlessly in digital design, but that isn’t always the case. Here, we discuss when to prioritize one or the other for the optimal user experience. Sun, 28 Jan 2024 23:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/aesthetics-vs-functionality aesthetics-vs-functionality MEREHAN ELAMROSY, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Cognitive biases can skew user research, leading to design changes that don’t address your customers’ real needs. Build digital products that users will love by mitigating these common biases. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux-research/cognitive-bias-in-user-research cognitive-bias-in-user-research RIMA KHACHATRYAN, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Applying chatbot features to e-commerce search can increase user satisfaction while tackling the pervasive and costly problem of search abandonment. These chatbot UX best practices will help your customers find what they’re looking for. Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/chatbot/chatbot-ux-best-practices chatbot-ux-best-practices KHATIA GAGNIDZE, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Don’t let inconsistent typefaces or subpar spacing impede accessibility or hurt your brand. These mobile typography guidelines will help enhance user experience and increase engagement. Thu, 30 Nov 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/typography/typography-for-mobile-apps typography-for-mobile-apps CHARLES MATTHEW ATOS, UI/UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Unclear expectations, stakeholder disagreements, and conflicting interests can lead to inferior products and unhappy customers. Apply design thinking concepts to your next project to boost alignment and success. Thu, 02 Nov 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/solving-problems-with-design-thinking solving-problems-with-design-thinking FANNI CSINCSAK, LEAD PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Boost customer satisfaction and loyalty by designing a safe, consistent, and user-friendly authentication system. Wed, 25 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/user-authentication-system-design user-authentication-system-design MAYANK SHARMA, LEAD PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Gather, analyze, and prioritize the voice of the customer to unlock product design solutions that improve client satisfaction and boost revenue. Wed, 18 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/user-experience-voice-of-customer user-experience-voice-of-customer ATISHAY GOYAL, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Generative AI is a potent tool, but text prompting can make it hard for users to get the results they want. Four design experts share ideas for making AI prompting more intuitive and accessible to a wider range of users. Tue, 17 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/artificial-intelligence/design-ai-prompt-optimization design-ai-prompt-optimization MICAH BOWERS, LEAD EDITOR @ TOPTAL Use these tips for navigation, tables and charts, button UX, and interactivity to create a smooth mobile dashboard experience that will keep users coming back. Tue, 10 Oct 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/dashboard-design/mobile-dashboard-ui mobile-dashboard-ui ANDRIS SUIPE, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Freelance designers bring diverse skills and perspectives to projects that help clients achieve business goals without exceeding their budgets. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/why-hire-a-freelance-designer why-hire-a-freelance-designer DANIEL DE PAOLA, LEAD PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Medical products with poor usability could harm patients and increase healthcare company costs. Prioritize usability, accessibility, and the patient experience to design effective devices. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/healthcare-ux healthcare-ux YEGOR TSYNKEVICH, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL In this wide-ranging Q&A, two Toptal designers delve into the influence of generative AI on design and its implications for creative thinking, user research, and entry-level designers. Wed, 26 Jul 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/artificial-intelligence/ai-ethics-in-design ai-ethics-in-design DARRELL ESTABROOK, UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Product teams face a dilemma: Achieving pixel-perfect design requires significant time and resources, but rushing to launch can result in mediocre products. This UI guide explains how to design excellent products while balancing quality and speed. Wed, 21 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/pragmatic-pixel-perfect-design pragmatic-pixel-perfect-design DAMIR KOTORIĆ, DIGITAL DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Designers can create safer dating app UX through robust ID verification methods, reporting tools, and design features that clarify consent. Wed, 14 Jun 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/safe-dating-app-ux safe-dating-app-ux KATE MARGOLIS, DIGITAL PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Seasoned design experts offer insights into the latest UI trends—and provide tips for overcoming design challenges for emerging interfaces like augmented and virtual reality, voice and gesture control, and haptic feedback. Wed, 17 May 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ui/the-future-of-interfaces the-future-of-interfaces CHRISTOPHER HOLLOWAY, SENIOR EDITOR @ TOPTAL What is psychological safety, and why do your designers need it? Digital designer Alejandro Velasco explains how to create a workplace environment that increases creativity, productivity, and talent retention. Thu, 11 May 2023 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/product-design/psychological-safety-design-teams psychological-safety-design-teams ALEJANDRO VELASCO, DIGITAL DESIGNER @ TOPTAL This comprehensive UX guide provides helpful tips, insights, and resources for aspiring creatives, seasoned designers, and business leaders who want to understand how user experience design can strengthen their organization. Wed, 03 May 2023 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/the-ultimate-ux-guide the-ultimate-ux-guide STEWART PRESSNEY, UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Isometric illustrations improve user experience and engagement—but they’re time-consuming to create. This tutorial teaches designers an easier, faster way. Wed, 19 Apr 2023 07:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/illustration/isometric-illustration-tutorial isometric-illustration-tutorial MAJO PUTERKA, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL User personas help companies increase UX maturity and establish more effective design practices—improvements that may grow revenue and create positive ripple effects across organizations. Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/ux-maturity ux-maturity FLORENCE DAIRO, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL A good product strategy aligns team efforts, cuts costs, and encourages long-lasting conflict resolution. Three Toptal product design experts discuss how product strategies get derailed and what designers can do to help get things back on track. Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/product-design/fix-broken-product-strategy fix-broken-product-strategy CHRISTIAN ADOLPHUS, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Despite decades of hype, virtual reality gaming has failed to be widely adopted. Better design can reduce player frustration, increase comfort, and make games more immersive. Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/virtual-reality/designing-vr-games designing-vr-games EDWARD MOORE, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL How is technology changing the way people shop for clothes? Designers explain how to use AR and VR to drive conversions and minimize returns. Wed, 08 Feb 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/virtual-clothing-try-on virtual-clothing-try-on LAURENCE BROTHERS, SENIOR WRITER @ TOPTAL There are many ways for game UX designers to break into this multibillion-dollar industry. Using her 14 years of video game UX expertise, designer Pam Nicholls shares how. Wed, 01 Feb 2023 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/game-ux/game-ux-designer game-ux-designer PAM NICHOLLS, UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Apply the four steps in this user flow analysis method to make your product development process more efficient—and improve UX for activities like app onboarding and checkout. Wed, 25 Jan 2023 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/product-design/user-flow-analysis user-flow-analysis KHATIA GAGNIDZE, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL UX designer Pam Nicholls has created video games and augmented reality experiences for companies like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and DreamWorks Animation. Here she explores designing for the metaverse and reveals innovative ways to make the user experience more intuitive and accessible. Wed, 18 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/designing-for-the-metaverse designing-for-the-metaverse PAM NICHOLLS, UX DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Mobile app push notifications are powerful engagement tools, but they can be intrusive if not handled correctly. Don’t hit send on your push notification strategy before asking yourself these questions. Wed, 11 Jan 2023 08:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/push-notification-best-practices push-notification-best-practices SHOAIB MAHMUD, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Modern medical products unburden healthcare providers, improve the patient experience, and save lives. What can we learn from the designers leading this surge in healthcare product innovation? Wed, 04 Jan 2023 03:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/product-design/healthcare-product-innovation healthcare-product-innovation MICAH BOWERS, LEAD EDITOR, DESIGN BLOG @ TOPTAL Storytelling is a compelling way to communicate brand value—but only if you’re telling stories that resonate with your audience. Find out how to craft authentic brand stories that captivate customers and build lasting loyalty. Tue, 29 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/brand/brand-storytelling brand-storytelling DAYO TINKERMAN, PRODUCT DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Empowering non-researchers to collect client feedback can pave the way to better products and customer retention. Thu, 17 Nov 2022 06:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux-research/democratizing-research democratizing-research MARIIA BORYSOVA, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Today’s young adults have enormous buying power, but they’re choosy shoppers with particular tastes. Understanding what drives their purchasing decisions can help you design content that resonates with Gen Z. Tue, 01 Nov 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/brand/gen-z-design gen-z-design JORGE GONZALEZ MIKSI, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Drawing on more than 25 years of design and motion graphics experience, Toptal designer Danny Rubyono explains how he makes enticing promo videos that compel viewers to action. Tue, 25 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/animators/creating-a-promo-video creating-a-promo-video DANNY RUBYONO, VISUAL AND MOTION DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Design systems increase collaboration, ensure consistency, and accelerate design and development cycles. Toptal product designer Molham Bakir lays out how—and shares insights and tips from his experience building them. Tue, 18 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/design-systems/benefits-of-design-system benefits-of-design-system MOLHAM BAKIR, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL Knowledge workers spend most of their workdays using digital tools. These low-friction UX strategies help reduce techno-stress and increase healthy user engagement. Tue, 18 Oct 2022 05:00:00 +0000 https://www.toptal.com/designers/ux/cognitive-overload-burnout-ux cognitive-overload-burnout-ux RODRIGO PEREZ ESTRADA, DESIGNER @ TOPTAL