Dane O’Leary

Dark patterns convert in the short-term.
But they break trust in the long-term.

UX isn’t just about usability—it’s about respect.
Don’t trick users.
Earn their trust.

What dark pattern do you keep spotting?

#uxdesign #ethicaldesign #darkpatterns

What makes a website feel premium?

Not just how it looks—but how it works.

This week I broke down 10 design traits that elevate perception, build trust, and drive user confidence. From layout to motion to trust signals.

#webdesign #ux #branding

Most design teams lack balance—and it shows.

This week I broke down the 3 types of designers every team needs (and how to spot them in interviews).

You don’t need clones. You need complementary minds.

Check my LinkedIn for an in-depth breakdown ✌🏼😎🖤

#uxdesign #hiring #designleadership

UX is problem-solving. But first:
→ Who’s the user?
→ What’s their goal?
→ What’s the pain?
→ How do we measure success?

These are some of the questions I ask every client before I start designing anything…
#uxdesign #freelance #strategy

Creative burnout often starts Sunday night.

It’s not just the workload—it’s the preload.
Mental tabs opening. Anxiety creeping in.

We need to normalize rest. Recharging is part of the job.

How do you reset before the week starts?

#creativeburnout #uxlife #sundayreset

Good design is invisible—but designers shouldn’t be.

It’s not ego to show your process, share your thinking, and advocate for your work.

👉 How are you making your design more seen?

#uxdesign #designthinking #visibilitymatters

Figma doesn’t use the word “design tokens”—but its Variables are how you build them.

Define colors, spacing, typography once. Apply them everywhere.
Update globally. Hand off easily.

Design smarter. Scale faster.
#figmafriday #figma #uxdesign #designsystems #variables

When a project stalls, try this:
1. Revisit the goal
2. Ask: Where’s the friction?
3. Change the format
4. Talk to users

It’s not always about pushing harder.
Sometimes you just need a new perspective.
#uxdesign #creativity #strategy

Top 10 client red flags (from painful experience):

• “Just something simple…”
• “We’ll know it when we see it.”
• No business clarity
• No contract
• Scope creep + rate drops
• Doesn’t believe in marketing

Add yours below.
#freelance #design #ux

AI can generate layouts, copy, even design systems.

But great design needs:

✅ Taste
✅ Context
✅ Storytelling
✅ Judgment

Tools help you go faster.
Humans decide what matters.
#design #ux #ai #creativity

Minimalist UIs often fail accessibility.

Worst offender?
Links styled with color only. Colorblind users may miss them.

✅ Use 2 of 3:
• Color
• Font weight
• Underline or border

Function > Form. Design for everyone.
#uxdesign #accessibility #usability #a11y

If the brief is chaos, here’s my 3-step fix:
1. Translate vague asks into user goals
2. Find the one real objective
3. Rewrite it for yourself in 2 clear sentences

You don’t need perfect input—you need a process.
How do you simplify messy briefs?

#uxdesign #designprocess #clientwork

Most brand guidelines fail because they focus on rules, not real-world use.

✅ More examples, less theory
✅ More flexibility, less rigidity
✅ More usability, less fluff

Good systems don’t just protect the brand—they enable it.

#branding #uxdesign #designsystems

Most brand guidelines fail because they focus on rules, not real-world use.

✅ More examples, less theory
✅ More flexibility, less rigidity
✅ More usability, less fluff

Good systems don’t just protect the brand—they enable it.

#branding #uxdesign #designsystems

PX, EM, REM, %, VW, VH, FR—ever feel like CSS units are a guessing game?

Use:
• REM for text
• EM for components
• PX for icons
• % for flexible widths
• VW/VH for viewport layouts
• FR for grid columns

Which one still confuses you? #css #ux #webdesign

Messy layouts? Your grid system might be the issue:

🔹 Use 8px spacing for consistency.
🔹 Mobile = 4 columns, desktop = 12 columns.
🔹 Margins & gutters let layouts breathe.
🔹 Adjust for responsiveness.
🔹 Break the grid (intentionally).

#uxdesign #webdesign #uidesign #gridsystem #designstrategy

If you…

🎨 Overanalyze movie title sequences
✏️ Judge people based on their font choices
🔍 Zoom in at 800% just to move one pixel
👀 Are reading this instead of enjoying your Sunday…

You might be a designer.

What’s your designer-brain-never-turns-off moment?

#designlife #creativeproblems

Not all great designs are pretty. Sometimes, ugly works.

✅ Clarity > beauty
✅ Function drives engagement
✅ Familiarity = usability

A perfect layout doesn’t matter if users struggle. Effectiveness wins. What’s a “bad” design that actually works? ⬇️

#uxdesign #designthinking #uiux #webdesign

Successful designs aren’t the loudest—they’re the ones that just work.

Users don’t notice great UX, but they *do* notice when buttons don’t look like buttons.

The goal is to make sure they never have to think about it.

What’s an example of invisible UX done right? 👇

#uxdesign #strategy #design

My grandmother always made St Patty’s Day special… Good design works the same way by:
✅ Creating belonging
✅ Honoring the past
✅ Leaving an impression

What’s a design that tells a great story? 🍀

#design #storytelling #branding #uxdesign #creativity #nostalgia

Before you book yet another “design review” meeting, try this:

📌 Drop the design in Figma & invite comments.
🧠 Brainstorm in FigJam.
🎯 Review designs interactively.

Who’s got a “this meeting could’ve been a Figma link” story? 😅

#uxdesign #strategy #collaboration #digital #projectmanagement

Good design is like a magic trick—you don’t see how it works, you just experience the effect.

When a design feels seamless, it’s because psychology is doing the heavy lifting.

What’s the most ‘magical’ design trick you’ve ever used? 👇

#design #psychology #uxdesign #strategy #marketing

Thanks!

Hi, I’m new to Bluesky—but super excited to jump in!

Consider following me if you’re into branding, UX/UI, creative strategy, psychology, & questioning bad design habits. I share tips on design, process, tools, & trends... Let’s connect!
#design #ux #branding #webdesign

daneoleary.com