2019 has been a good year for InVision—and the design community at large. We released reports about hiring trends, design talent, and design maturity; podcasts episodes featuring major design leaders; handbooks (in PDF, eBook, and audiobook formats!); and UI kits. And, of course, a whole lot of blog posts.
Over the past year, we’ve covered UX (research, writing, process, you name it), design systems, animation, accessibility—the list goes on and on. Since there’s so much good stuff to sort through, we thought it would be nice to compile the best of the best: what really resonated with you, our readers. Here, our top 10 most-shared, most-read, most-loved posts from 2019. Have a favorite that’s not on the list? Tweet us @InVision!
10. The 8 most important UI animations of all time
UI animations are the spice rack of the digital product designer: The right amount can bring out its best qualities, instantly communicating complicated new and radical ideas.
This retrospective dives into the eight animations that defined the early days of the internet and web design. They’re the basis upon which we’re still animating today.
9. 10 pros and cons of the hamburger menu (with examples)
The hamburger menu is the navigation element you find on websites, apps, and programs… but it’s embroiled in controversy. For some, the hamburger is an essential part of the designer’s toolkit. For others, it’s a confusing byproduct of bad information architecture. Whatever your opinion, here are 10 pros and cons to help you come up with the best design solution.
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8. How to make your first wireframe (+ video!)
Whether you’re new to user experience design or you’ve been active in the field for years, you’ve no doubt heard of wireframing—an essential step in translating a digital product idea into reality.
But where does wireframing fit into the product design process? If you’ve never done it before, how do you know what to do, where to do it, and what steps to take? And what’s the difference between a sketch and a wireframe? What about mockups or prototypes?
Read this post to go in depth on what wireframes are (and are not!), how to create one, and when they’re used.
7. Smart Home: A digital UI kit for the physical world
Let’s get physical. This free UI kit has all you need to manage your (hypothetical) customer’s smart devices, like thermostats, lights, and other appliances that make for a connected modern home.
6. Seriously, you need to start documenting your UX work
Memory is a fragile thing and we don’t advise relying upon it to recall the complicated details of projects past. In UX, there’s never a linear path from the start of a project to final deliverables. It’s a twisted journey and these details—the challenges and the a-ha moments—are exactly what the users of your UX portfolio want to hear about.
Meet your new friend: the Career Project Diary. This is where you’ll store all of those plot twists, revelations, and expertise.
5. The UX design process in 6 stages (+ video!)
Following the UX design process doesn’t just give users an intuitive and pleasurable experience—it poses an opportunity for designers to iterate and improve their designs. This post explains the meaning of UX, how to break down the design process, and how you can apply this method to your next project.
4. A comprehensive guide to design systems
Design systems are exploding in popularity, so—especially going into 2020—every good designer needs some design system understanding in their toolbox. Anything you’ve ever wondered about design systems is covered in this post, from history, to why they’re important, to how to build your own.
3. Velocity UI kit + design system
Meet Velocity, a free UI kit and complete design system for an imaginary self-driving car company. Borrow, remix, and remake for your own app.
This responsively-designed kit is the complete package, perfect for building SaaS apps or jumpstarting your next design system.
2. 10 examples of great logo designs
History is our greatest teacher. This post examines the greatest (logo) hits of all time—how they were created, their transformation, and even how much the designer was paid. Ever wondered what the most important elements of a great logo are? Read and learn.
1. 5 trends UX designers should know for 2020
Knowledge is power. As we charge into 2020, the more you know, the better prepared you’ll be. Design moves fast, after all, and it’s becoming a more important part of business structure.
To stay ahead of the competition, this post shares the five trends we expect to see in 2020 plus actionable tips for putting the trends into action.
Shayna is Managing Editor of InVision's design publication, Inside Design. She lives in Tel Aviv with two big dogs.
