I think of design as more than just the elements on one screen. How does the app flow (workflow) is far more important for me. I am also a developer. But, I have made the transition to designing and building(including graphics) apps for kids. The nuanced coloring can often confuse kids. We have to deliberately make images simpler. Screen designs have to simplified to the extreme to focus on just the one thing at a time. As a self-funded very small company, we also have to keep ROI in mind. I have found that tinkering beyond a certain point is just as likely to make the app worse as it is to make it better. Should you try to think like a designer? Having to do my own graphics has certainly taught me to appreciate graphic artists. Because I design and code, I can take a fuzzy concept and play with the graphics or the code to find the optimal solution.