Let’s say my design philosophy is “Ideal design is one that gives a sensory experience.” I’d then think about how to bring sensory experiences into the digital space. I’d decide what kind of sensory experience I want users to have with a specific product, and then I’d arrange layouts, compositions, lighting, colors, text, and motion to support that experience. With this guiding principle, I could translate the design into minimalism, brutalism, retro, or cyberpunk. And every piece of my work would have a sensory experience, whether it’s a website, app, software, or poster.

In practice, this can be pretty tough. You might want to start with something easier, like “I will always add emphasis in headlines,” “My layout will always have a bit more space,” or “I will use a golden spiral layout grid in my designs.” You’ll start to notice a difference not only in your results but also in how you think.