How Well Can You “See”? | Visual Perception in Design

Many viewers in my design mentoring sessions say something that always cracks me up: “Tirso, I just don’t know how to see!” Of course, physical sight is essential in design, but there’s a whole other level to it – visual perception and balance. As designers, we need to train our eyes to see beyond the obvious and understand concepts like the visual center. This is the sweet spot where elements feel most balanced, and it often sits slightly above the geometrical center. Imagine hanging a picture – placing it smack dab in the middle might feel off.

But seeing goes way beyond basic composition. Take kerning, the art of adjusting space between letters. It’s a purely visual test of your ability to perceive the negative space between shapes (letters in this case) and create harmony. But design isn’t just about technical skills. It’s also crucial to see design from different perspectives. A seemingly well-designed layout can be elevated by another designer’s fresh viewpoint.

The good news is, your design vision is a constantly evolving muscle. As trends shift, what once looked polished might need a modern update. The key is to keep training your eye to catch the subtleties – the balanced spacing in kerning, the optimal placement of elements, and even the nuances of typography. Over time, you’ll develop a keen eye for the magic that makes great design sing. So keep practicing, keep observing, and soon you’ll not only “see” design, you’ll truly appreciate its brilliance.