First off, if you’re asking this question, that’s a good sign. The worst designs I’ve seen are from designers who don’t question themselves or are too prideful to consider that their design might be crap. Actually answering that question can be tricky, but here are a few things I’ve picked up that help me figure it out.

Let’s start with user experience. No matter how aesthetically pleasing a design is, it has to work. The most common mistake I made—and I’ve seen many others make when starting out—is using a type size that’s too small. That tiny font on your business card might look cool, but if it makes it hard to read your email (which is the whole point of the card), then it’s a bad design. I think of this as the foundation of design: it has to work.

When it comes to getting feedback, I can’t stress enough how important this is. If we’re getting paid, we’re almost always designing for someone else, and that person may or may not be similar to us. I’m not saying you shouldn’t bring your uniqueness and style to a project, but you need to understand who you’re designing for and seek their feedback. That isn’t always possible, and oftentimes people don’t really know what they want. But it’s a good start and can at least validate the first point: does it work, and can they accomplish their goal?

Seeking feedback from peers—and especially more experienced designers—can give you valuable insights. Getting out of your own head and learning to see things from an outside perspective is a key tool as a designer. I like to think of this as a type of empathy, and it’s critical for all kinds of success, not just design.

Mentorship can provide an extremely valuable lens on your work, helping you understand not just what is or isn’t working well, but why, and what other options might be worth trying. It’s the shortcut—the way to grow your ability to judge your own work without years and years of trial and error.

Lastly, trust your gut, but make sure to verify it. Your instincts will improve over time, but don’t be afraid to put your work out there. It’s okay to be wrong; it’s okay to make mistakes. That’s how we learn. Test early, test often, learn, and improve. When I’m designing, I’m never “done”—I’m just iterating toward better and better versions, with the goal of having the best version possible in the time I have.