Julie Zhuo · 10 min read · Design
How to Spot a World-Class Designer
Read the original on lg.substack.com →
The piece argues that world-class designers are distinguished not just by skill but by what they see and how they communicate intent. Drawing on Soleio Cuervo's insights, it stresses portfolios that intrigue rather than exhaustively document work, showing a clear point of view, appetite for range, and passion through side projects.
Key Takeaways
- Excellent designers communicate intent; great portfolios go beyond showing work.
- In fast review environments, portfolios must intrigue within a single scroll rather than rely on completeness.
- A standout portfolio conveys a clear point of view and the kind of designer you are, quickly.
- Evidence of appetite and range, including side projects, signals depth and passion beyond mere competence.
- A strong portfolio should feel like a trailer, giving a vivid peek into who you are and what you can do.
Excerpt
“Seeing” excellence Your hand can never draw better than your eye can discern. They say that mallard ducks can see 100 million more color combinations than humans can. I think this is true also of a master versus an novice. A 10x-builder looks at the world differently than a 1x-builder. A pro can zoom into the nuanced details of a piece of code, a design, a headline, and see many more possibilities than a n00b. But what is it that they see? Thus begins a new experiment, where I interview some of the people who I admire the most to…