In this episode, Amy and James talk about the best methods and tools for starting a new design project. Topics include asking the right questions, doing visual research, creating mood boards and wireframes, and getting all the pieces in place.SPONSORSPathwire / Mailgun / MailjetPathwire is a powerful email API and intuitive email marketing solution that delivers over 250 billion emails a year for 400,000 companies around the world.You can sign up now and try Mailgun or Mailjet for free today. Mailjet offers a trial that allows you to send 6,000 emails per month for free, forever. Mailgun offers a 3 month trial for 5,000 emails per month after which you only pay for what you send.For more information, simply visit Pathwire.comVercelVercel combines the best developer experience with an obsessive focus on end-user performance. Their platform enables frontend teams to do their best work. It is the best place to deploy any frontend app. Start by deploying with zero configuration to their global edge network. Scale dynamically to millions of pages without breaking a sweat.For more information, visit Vercel.comZEAL is hiring!Zeal is a computer software agency that delivers “the world’s most zealous” and custom solutions. The company plans and develops web and mobile applications that consistently help clients draw in customers, foster engagement, scale technologies, and ensure delivery.Zeal believes that a business is “only as strong as” its team and cares about culture, values, a transparent process, leveling up, giving back, and providing excellent equipment. The company has staffers distributed throughout the United States, and as it continues to grow, Coding Zeal looks for collaborative, object-oriented, and organized individuals to apply for open roles.For more information visit their site.Show Notes0:00 Introduction2:18 Ask a lot of questionsDesign can be a self-diagnosed solutionWhat's the true problem?3:47 Creating a Mood BoardGives visual languageCollect pictures of everything6:49 Surround yourself with good design"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with."8:58 Moving away from detrimental phrases10:10 Sponsor: Vercel10:55 Tools within DesignFigmaSketchAdobe XD13:39 Framer as a prototyping tool15:56 Sponsor: Pathwire16:51 Tools are a poor man's excuseLook at something with an opportunity mindsetIt's better to start than to waste too much time debating about which tool to use.19:00 Starting a New ProjectMis en Place - Getting everything in its placeGive yourself a better starting pointMedium post about starting the Compressed.fm design21:10 User TestingCollect as much information as possible within the design phaseIteration is King23:26 Sponsor: ZEAL24:16 Grab Bag Question 1: How do you get started with wireframes?Pen and PaperInvision AppBalsamic25:24 Grab Bag Question 2: How do I learn the standards of web design as a whole or best practices in web design?Design CodeShift NudgeDesigning UI26:26 Grab Bag Question 3: What are your thoughts on Using TailwindCSS for help with design?Important thing is to make it your ownBeginner Tailwind - Course by Chris SevRefactoring UI28:24 Amy's Pick - CleanShot App X29:39 Amy's Plug - SelfTeach.me YouTube Channel30:03 James's Pick - Rocket30:38 James's Plug - James Q Quick on YouTube30:46 Glyphfinder