Unlocking Hidden Features and Maximizing Efficiency: Design teams are challenged with the volume of creative requests and the need to deliver consistent, quality work. Adding more designers to the team may not be an option, but these efficiency hacks can help.
Infusing a hacker’s sensibility into design creates a new model for design practice where pieces, components, or exclusive products can be easily manipulated in the future.
Unlocking Hidden Features and Maximizing Efficiency
1) Make Use of the Tool’s Default Settings
Infusing a hacking ethos into design creates new realities, options, and possibilities. It also offers a sense of democratization. It allows the end user to take ownership of the design by finding access points and vulnerabilities to manipulate it.
One of the most helpful hacks in any design tool is knowing how to get around the app’s default settings. This saves time and ensures that users use the program efficiently without thinking about it.
For example, on an iPhone, setting up custom vibrations for different callers and senders allows you to quickly identify who calls or texts you without looking at your screen. Another great hack is adjusting your display theme to set the color and font settings you use most frequently. You can return to work faster without clicking on every menu and submenu. These simple hacks help you work smarter, not harder.
2) Save Time by Creating Templates
Templates are great work helpers, especially for recurring tasks. Whether it’s an official form or a document you create regularly, designing a template for it will save you a ton of time in the future.
To make a template, start by designing the spreadsheet or document to your liking and then saving it as a new template. Then whenever you need to use that document or spreadsheet in the future, select your template, and it will be ready!
When designing a template, consider what information needs to be editable and what can remain the same. You can check on many tools and try to see Canva Pro pricing details, for instance. Also, include any unique information that would need to be added, like project names, dates, or client or customer information. This way, when the template is combined with your unique data using tools, you’ll get customized entirely documents in no time!
3) Use the Tool’s Plugins
Some design tools have plugins that allow you to extend their features. For example, Adobe XD offers over 200 plugins that can customize the device to your liking. Adding a few can streamline your work and speed up the process.
Another great way to use design tools is by using their built-in functionality.
Storybook is an open-source tool that makes it easier to build UI components in isolation without affecting other features. It also has automatic style guide creation and testing capabilities, making the design process more seamless.
4) Customize the Tool’s User Interface
UI design is a highly intricate process. It requires a high level of knowledge and understanding. As a result, it’s crucial to optimize your tools. This helps complete the task within a shorter period and ensures high-quality work.
There are many ways to achieve this. One way is by leveraging specialized tools. Many different workspace setups can be used to streamline the design process. For example, the Adobe XD workflow is an efficient way to do work.
Another way is to use tools that help you create a prototype quickly and efficiently. These tools can help you test your designs and get feedback from users. They can also reduce the number of changes needed during the prototyping stage. They can help you create high-fidelity prototypes and ensure smooth developer communication by generating platform-related code snippets. It is also designed to be easy to use by both designers and developers.
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