You can ' t study designs if there ' s no background info , like a design brief and relationship to UXCX UserConsumer Experience goals of a organization . The best way IMO to study design is to start with UXCX and learn how the different topics all relate , and then specialize in design as part of UXCX . Here ' s a good introduction uxteamstartinglineupIn contrast to other positions , where not having these things could severely halt production , the guidelines are used to keep the creative energy focused on the needs of project and not what actually looks best creatively . That ' s what you have to remember looking at other designs . If you don ' t know the needs brief of a project , judging the design isn ' t really possible .