As a former graphic designer and current programmer, i eould say forget about design for hackers and learn design as such.
The most important aspects of design are communication, composition, visual structure and the skill of mixing colours.
Learn to simplify the message to a few elements, make the most important things to really synd out. Also learn about desining with grids to make the result clear, pleasant and harmonious.
Learn about golden section, and how it relates to catching and guiding the viewers eye - look at the works of master photographers and renaissance painters.
To learn about colour theory, go to library, find a classic book(!) about the subject and grab some colour pencils and mix some colours! In short time you will develop an intuitive understanding of using the colour sliders in graphic programs to design harmonious or disharmonious colour scales. Also learn about complementary colours.
If you want to learn to draw, also learn about perspective and valeur (shadows amd lights) and try to imitate different textures.
The most important aspects of design are communication, composition, visual structure and the skill of mixing colours.
Learn to simplify the message to a few elements, make the most important things to really synd out. Also learn about desining with grids to make the result clear, pleasant and harmonious.
Learn about golden section, and how it relates to catching and guiding the viewers eye - look at the works of master photographers and renaissance painters.
To learn about colour theory, go to library, find a classic book(!) about the subject and grab some colour pencils and mix some colours! In short time you will develop an intuitive understanding of using the colour sliders in graphic programs to design harmonious or disharmonious colour scales. Also learn about complementary colours.
If you want to learn to draw, also learn about perspective and valeur (shadows amd lights) and try to imitate different textures.