[achariam]

Let's get this out of the way from the start, you're definitely not lacking something. Like most things you can get pretty far with deliberate practice. The front end is usually a combination of usability, design and code. It sounds like you need help with the usability and design part.

The first step of awareness means you're on the right track. You've also developed a sense of taste because you've recognized something is distinctly better than the other. Ira Glass has a great way of framing this concept [https://vimeo.com/85040589]. You can close this gap of ability vs taste by continuing what you're doing. If it feels confusing and difficult, you're making progress. It will take a while to constantly probe at the "why" something is better. Next you'll learn how to apply it.

If time is a constraint there's a way you can accelerate your learning. You'll have to ask someone who is better than you for feedback and advice. This works really well. If you have the resources and don't feel the need to learn, you can always pay someone to do it.

There's a lot more I can go on about but feel free to reach out if you need some help. Here's some additional random thoughts:

- Don't get too caught up in the design and elegance of your front end design. Show it to people, they will help guide what you need to work on.

- It's okay if things look like a copy of something else. We can learn a lot through imitation.

- Pay attention to software you love and really try and understand why you love it. (Sounds like you're doing this already)

- Check out these books: Steal like and artist, the design of everyday things.

- Read through Apples's HIG docs, there's lot of great stuff there on mobile and app design.

- Empathy is a critical tool when making interfaces for others. Really try to understand the problem you're trying to solve by getting in the minds of the user. Usually the solution comes pretty naturally.

- By exposing yourself to lots of different kinds of software and apps you'll start developing a sense of what works where. Like when do I use a slider vs a numerical input.

[fanpuns]

Ira Glass is one of my heroes. It's both inspiring and depressing that you would remind me of his approach; his is the hard way for sure, but maybe the more rewarding one in the long term if true understanding/mastering is what is desired.

Your points below are also excellent. Thank you very much!