Non-designer

A 'non-designer' refers to an individual who, while perhaps utilizing design principles in their work or daily life, does not possess formal training or a professional role focused on visual communication, user experience, or graphic arts. This person may lack specialized knowledge of design software, industry-standard practices, or a deep understanding of design theory, aesthetics, and visual hierarchies. They may still possess an aesthetic sense and be capable of making design-related decisions, but often rely on pre-made templates, readily available tools, or the guidance of professional designers to achieve their desired outcomes. Their work may involve some aspects of design, such as formatting documents, creating basic presentations, or developing website content but is not the primary focus of their role or expertise. It is someone who utilizes design elements but without formally holding the role of a professional Designer.

Non-designer meaning with examples

• As a marketing manager, Sarah is a Non-designer but creates social media content for her company. She frequently utilizes Canva templates and seeks feedback from the company's graphic designer for more complex projects, recognizing her limitations. She might develop the overall marketing strategy but leaves the visual execution to those with formal training in this discipline. She ensures brand consistency while staying within her existing skillset and not having to outsource every single project.
• The small business owner needed a website and, being a Non-designer, used a website builder platform with pre-designed templates. She adjusted text and images to represent her brand, without detailed understanding of grid systems or typography. While functional, the website's visual appeal might not meet the standards of a professional designer's output, and requires periodic refreshing to prevent becoming outdated.
• John, a scientist, had to create several scientific posters for an upcoming conference. As a Non-designer, he used presentation software to format the content. He focused on conveying complex data and information. Lacking design experience, the presentation design wasn't necessarily visually compelling and relied on basic layouts and default fonts, though still clearly conveyed the information.
• During a team meeting to discuss website improvements, even though the project manager is a Non-designer, she often provides opinions on the website layout. She can often pinpoint an area of improvement on the website. The actual changes are left for the designer to implement, and her opinions help to inform the creative direction and make the website better.
• When working on a presentation, the product manager, a Non-designer, often creates the initial slides. He focuses on content organization and data but needs assistance from a designer to make the presentation more visually appealing. He understands the basic principles but relies on pre-built themes to give it some initial visual appeal.