Toptal Design Blog

The Toptal Design Blog is a hub for advanced design studies by professional designers in the Toptal network on all facets of digital design, ranging from detailed design tutorials to in-depth coverage of new design trends, techniques, and technologies.

authors are vetted experts in their fields and write on topics in which they have demonstrated experience. All of our content is peer reviewed and validated by Toptal experts in the same field.

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authors are vetted experts in their fields and write on topics in which they have demonstrated experience. All of our content is peer reviewed and validated by Toptal experts in the same field.

Mobile UX Design Principles

Designers only have a few seconds to catch the attention of mobile users before they abandon an app or site. Following established mobile UX design principles creates a better overall user experience.

9 minute readContinue Reading

Cameron Chapman

Cameron comes from a design background and is the author of two web design books: Color for Web Design and The Smashing Idea Book.

Personalized UX and the Power of Design and Emotion

Personalization is all about communicating a message aimed directly at the individual user. Emotional design focuses on the overall emotional impact of design choices, including those that involve personalization. Combining the personal and the emotional is where the real magic happens.

8 minute readContinue Reading

Chris Constandse

Chris is a senior UX/UI designer whose expertise is recognized by various exclusive networks including the InVision Design Leadership Forum.

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The Value of User Testing With Prototypes

User testing, often confused with usability testing, is an overarching term to describe testing which helps validate the need for a product. When used with prototypes and the right testing tools, it can help save a product from failure.

6 minute readContinue Reading

Gabriel Kirmaier

Gabriel is a UX/UI designer who creates data-driven solutions for web and mobile platforms. He has worked with companies such as Stripe and Goodleap, and his book UX Bites was named “Best New Release” in the design category on Amazon.

Design’s Driving Forces: A Website Redesign Case Study

When is the most appropriate time to do a website redesign? This case study walks us through a website redesign for a high-end auto company and outlines key issues along the way.

9 minute readContinue Reading

Goran Ramljak

Goran is a visual and interaction designer with several years of experience working at some of the best marketing agencies in Europe.

How to Transition from UX Designer to UX Consultant

What does a UX consultant do? More importantly, what does it take for a UX designer to become a consultant and thrive?

7 minute readContinue Reading

Micah Bowers

Micah helps businesses craft meaningful engagement through branding, illustration, and design.

Design Foundations – A Guide to Visual Hierarchy (with Infographic)

Understanding and implementing visual hierarchy principles gives designers an advantage in creating persuasive designs that convey necessary information while creating a delightful user experience.

< 5 minute readContinue Reading

Cameron Chapman

Cameron comes from a design background and is the author of two web design books: Color for Web Design and The Smashing Idea Book.

Partners in Design: A Guide to Client Empathy

Being empathetic is not a selective practice. Designers know how to use empathy to uncover the behaviors and needs of a user. Those same methods and techniques can be used in client relationships.

7 minute readContinue Reading

Jay Oldaker

Jay is a UX and product designer for venture-backed startups and Fortune 500s, with work featured in books and publications across the web.

Toptal Design Expert

Paula Barcante

Paula is an award-winning UX/UI designer, advisor, and illustrator with more than six years of hands-on experience in making complex interfaces delightful and user friendly. She has made a significant impact in large corporations, such as Amazon, Zillow, Google, as well as startups. Her mission is to create efficient, beautiful, innovative, and high-quality experiences for the greater good of society.