This semester in my Digital Design course, the focus on visual imaging and interaction has challenged and developed both my creative thinking and practical design skills. From conceptualising ideas to building out digital solutions, I’ve been able to explore how users interact with design across different platforms. This self-reflection outlines my journey over the past term, specifically what I enjoyed, the challenges I faced, and how I feel about my progress and development throughout the year.
One of the highlights of this semester was studying music player apps. I found it really interesting to analyse how design decisions impact user experience, from colour schemes and typography to layout and navigation. Music apps like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music inspired me in terms of functionality, simplicity, and smart visual elements. It was exciting to look into what makes these platforms so engaging — features like AI recommendations, minimal interfaces, and responsive animations. I particularly enjoyed being able to take that research and turn it into something of my own through wireframes and screen designs. It was rewarding to imagine how my app could function, thinking not just visually but from a user’s perspective. This allowed me to apply the design principles we’ve been learning about, such as Jakob’s Law and Hick’s Law, to real-life applications.
That said, there were definitely parts I found more challenging. The length of time it took to complete each screen in my designs became quite overwhelming at points. While I was excited by the idea of bringing my app to life, I often found it difficult to stick to one final idea. Each time I refined or updated a proposal, it felt like I had to rethink the entire screen. This back and forth made it hard to settle on a consistent direction, and I found myself second-guessing decisions or wanting to trial too many styles. I learned the hard way that balancing creativity with decisiveness is key. Although the process was frustrating at times, it also helped me realise how much effort goes into producing polished digital designs — and why iteration is an important part of that.
Overall, I feel this semester has helped me grow as a designer. I’ve learned how important it is to combine research with creativity — looking at what already exists, understanding why it works, and then pushing those ideas into something of my own. My confidence in tools like Figma has improved, and I feel more capable of designing not just static visuals, but experiences. This term helped me see where my interests lie, especially in app and product design, and gave me a strong foundation to carry forward into future projects. Despite the challenges, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made and feel excited for what’s next in my design journey.