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Tips to improve as a graphic designer

Graphic design is a field that is quickly changing, both creatively and technically, and while it is easy to get caught up in learning new technical skills, it is just as important to focus improving and pushing the limits of our creativity.

While in design school, it was easy to surround myself with inspiration and engage in activities that helped my understanding of effective design. Once I graduated I feared losing it, since I was no longer surrounded by a learning environment. I made it a point to continue educating myself as much as possible and become more active in the field of design. I was determined not to let my designs grow stagnant, but rather transgress and improve with time. Here are a few tips, exercises and practices that have help me continue learning, strengthen creativity and become an all around better designer.

Become a collector

Each time you see a design that inspires you, collect it, bring it home and file it away. I have hundreds of brochures, posters and other collateral that I have collected over the years that is stacked away in folders and boxes that I can quickly access – great source of inspiration when needed. Even Starbucks gives out creative weekly mini-newspapers.

Buy books

Having an extensive book collection is always essential to learning. I try buying a new book at least every 2 weeks that range from inspirational, educational and technical topics.

Read design-related blogs

I can’t stress enough how much information I have learned by reading other great designers blogs. The web in an invaluable resource of information – take advantage of it and actually use it!

Start a design blog

Having started this blog only a couple months ago, I have found it to be extremely useful and educational for myself. It has made me more aware of the design community and more analytical of my own work.

Join and be active in the design community

As a freelance designer, joining the online design community is a must. Not only does it keep you up-to-date in the design world, but is also great for feedback and critique. Being your own boss is great, but not having anyone to answer to as a freelancer also has it’s down sides. No one to criticize your work and help you improve.

Take lots of photos

Solves the problem of not being able to take home designs you like – Camera phones are great for this kind of thing. Just snap a photo and file it away for later. I use Evernote for this type of thing; pictures of building designs, textures, shapes of shadows on walls. Basically anything that interests me from a design stand point.

Create fake projects

Whenever I find myself with free time (which is getting less and less lately) I create fake projects. Create a fake brand for a company. Design a logo, stationary, brochure, website – the whole nine yards. It’s good to do this once in awhile because it keeps design fun and let’s your creativity run wild without limitations. It’s often easy to get caught in a rut when clients start dictating and your work no longer becomes “yours”.

Redo other people’s design

Don’t want to create a fake brand to design? Try redesigning other people’s projects. This help’s you evaluate what “they” did wrong and what you could do better.

Redo your old designs

I know what it feels like to look at your early days of design and think “Oh my! What was I thinking?! I need to get rid of that immediately”, but is important to keep that work. It will help you see if you’re moving forward and improving your skills. Instead of throwing away or deleting old projects, try reworking them.

Attend lectures

Every few months I make it a point to attend lectures of other designers speaking at local schools and universities. Always learn a new thing or two.

Network with other designers

Attending lectures is a great way to meet other designers. I always try to search out the designers that have more experience and talent than I do. I know – it’s hard to admit someone else is better than you, but networking with people of higher skill levels will push you to work harder and learn more.

Take classes

Many local college allow you to register for classes without enrolling full-time. It will not only teach you some new things technically, but also put you back in a classroom of your peers.

Interview other designers and studios

A year ago, a friend of mine, started a ‘national studio tour‘ where he toured and interviewed with over 100 different design studios. He said the experience was amazing and learned so much by asking questions that design school could have never answered. He also met a valuable useful contacts ;)

Travel

Every time I travel to another country, I come back feeling extremely inspired. I usually find myself designing all day for a few weeks straight. Experiencing new cultures and seeing their artwork, opens your mind to a whole new world. Just wish I could travel more!

Learn something new

Whenever I am in a creative slump I try something new or do something completely unrelated to design. Getting your mind off things and into something new, usually has a funny way of working itself back around.

Grab a sketchbook

Helps you work through ideas quickly and without limitations of design software. Has made a HUGE difference in my designs. See what other designer’s say about the importance of sketching here and here.

source: http://www.thedesigncubicle.com/2008/11/16-tips-to-improve-as-a-graphic-designer/

How to devlelop my skills

I came across an interesting article on the web on how to improve as a graphic designer:

One of the major threats to your career as a graphic designer is to let your work stagnate and your improvement slow down. It’s very easy to fall into a comfort zone where you stop exploring new design techniques and simply stick with what you know. This is why most designers experience the greatest learning curve early on, and why after they ‘find their style’ their future improvement is far more limited.

Today I want to argue that designers should never ‘find their style’. They should always strive to try new styles, to continually improve, and to push beyond their comfort zone. Imagine if you continually improved at the rate you did early in your design career – I’m betting that you’d be a better designer than you are today!

Let’s explore some of the ways to improve as a designer:

Read Design Tutorials

Design tutorials are a fantastic way to improve your skill-set. Tutorials usually show you how to make a specific outcome by explaining the entire work process in a series of detailed steps. Tutorial sites usually cover a range of different categories, such as text effects, photo manipulations, web layouts etc… Try to explore a range of tutorial sites, as well as tutorial categories in order to broaden your design skills.

Seek Inspiration From a Wider Variety of Sources

The number one killer for design inspiration is limiting your sources of inspiration. I’ve already mentioned the importance of design tutorials, but you should look beyond online inspiration. Offline influences can have a tremendously positive effect upon your designs. Inspiration lies everywhere – in nature, in the everyday, bizarre, and transitory. Look to films, art, posters, street signs and photography. The more varied your inspiration, the more varied your work. If you let all the creativity available in the world benefit you, your work will be richer and more profound.

Choose to Design From Something Specific

Often it can be difficult to improve because you consistently design around the same themes. Broadening your inspirational sources is a good start, but I find that designing around a specific idea can also be beneficial. Rather than designing a photo manipulation around the theme of ‘nature’ for example, why not design around a specific quote, song lyric or even memory. The more personal the specific influence the better, although it can also be interesting to design around an abstract or obscure entity.

Consider Paid Resources

I discovered this method pretty late in my design career. For years I avoided paying for anything apart from my software, preferring to use free resources for all my work. I have to be honest, after trying out some premium fonts, photos and vectors the money is honestly worth it. If you’re really serious about improving your design work I recommend finding the highest quality resources to use in your compositions. Don’t settle for a lower quality image simply because it’s free, this will only hold you back.

Another reason for using premium resources is that there are a limited number of quality free resources. This means that these quality freebies have been used thousands of times by designers, and have lost much of their impact. How many times have you seen ‘generic jumping figure covered in Photoshop light effects’. Premium resource websites offer a wider, more unique, higher quality selection, and if you’re using these as part of your commercial work I’m sure you’ll see a financial return due to your improved designs.

Utilize Your Other Relevant Talents

As you may have guessed by now, it’s crucial to add diversity to your design work, as this is a key ingredient in improving. A great way to do this is to bring in some of your other talents. If you draw, then scan in hand drawn elements and integrate this into your design work. If you do calligraphy then implement what you’ve learnt into your digital typography. If you have no relevant creative skills (which is unlikely) then learn some! Take a class, or if you can’t afford that teach yourself. The more areas which you feel confident in creatively, the better your digital work will be.

Why not try the following ideas, you should feel more inspired afterwards, which in turn should improve your regular design work:

Take a step away from the computer and create an offline work of art. Aim to design a mixed media piece using whatever talents you possess. If you can’t draw, why not create a creative collage?

Print off some of your digital work and mess around with it using more traditional art tools. It feels liberating to mess it up a little, so get out the scissors and go nuts!

Try to recreate one of your favorite digital designs in an offline medium. You’ll be surprised at how much you’ll learn about the basic ideas behind your original composition in doing so, and you should formulate some great ideas on how to improve your digital work.

source:http://www.noupe.com/design/how-to-improve-as-a-graphic-designer.html

Ways to improve my skills

Ways to improve my skills as a graphic designer

I need to do more research into other graphic design artists and their work to help for inspiration

Visit galleries, look on the web and read books

I could improve by developing my skills by watching for example professional adobe tutorial videos on using photoshop, illustrator and after effects.

"Don't be afraid to take risks" is a great motto and I need to not be afraid to try new things.  In doing this could learn a lot.

Some opinions on graphic design as a career

So far with my research, I am seeing that there are positives to be a graphic designer, although there are the obvious disadvantages such a work load deadlines and if your working freelance you may go a while with no work.  However the way the world is developing today with digital media in advertising, graphic design is getting more popular than ever and always developing, its one of the biggest businesses after finance.


Below is another article found on the web:

Graphic design is seen as a skill in today's world because its creating art on the computer. You need to know how to manipulate and use programs like adobe photo shop, paint shop pro, adobe photo elements and more. The disadvantage is that less and less people are drawing and using more tradition tools like a pencil and paper. This causes people not to be as skilled in traditional artworks as they used to be. Being able to draw and paint are important to graphic design because if you can draw by hand you can easily take your drawn designs and convert them into digital media. Also, with traditional works you are creating the artwork, your not manipulating the computer to create art. In the end of the day graphic design is the artwork that you manipulated the computer to make, and therefore is not as valuable in say ( a museum) as traditional work.

Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Disadvantages_of_graphic_design#ixzz21fRL2oOo

More advantages

Some more advantages I found about being a graphic designer - the strengths definitely outweighing the weaknesses

Probably the most important benefit of being a graphic artist is the ability to express your creativity, while still earning a great living. Many artists are moving towards graphic design because it’s easier to make a living as a graphic designer than it is in areas such as fine art.

While I do recommend going to school for graphic design, many amazing graphic artists learned on their own. If you practice enough at home, study other art, practice tutorials, read books and really have a passion for design you can learn on your own. The big benefit of going to school is having teachers to guide you and critique your work, so if you learn yourself you need to be able to gauge what your current skill level is and understand what areas you need improvement in.

The design community is incredibly rich online. I have never seen so many different useful and unique sites for an online niche before. The design community is full of great forums, blogs, gallery sites, organizations, tutorials sites and much more. There are so many ways to market your skills online its not even funny. It just takes a little a bit of time and energy to make the most of the web.

Another great thing about being a freelance graphic artist is that there are few business expenses. If you have a computer and software already than there isn’t much else you need to spend money on. If you are going to handle printing for clients you would work this into the total project quote and the same goes for stuff like buying stock images or hiring an illustrator for a project.

You might have some web expenses such as website hosting and maybe a marketing budget, but overall costs should be pretty low if your a freelancing, which means more profits for you!

My favorite part about the graphic art career is the ability to easily do freelance work online. There are tons of places to find freelance work on the Internet and you can make some incredible money from the comfort of your own home in your free time.

If you have ever dreamed of having your own studio or office than you could turn your freelance business into a larger operation and begin running your own studio. This is a great option if you want to play the role of manager or art director and gain a lot more exposure by doing graphic artwork for very large brands, not to mention making more money!

If you have a decent computer and a few Adobe programs you are pretty much ready to rumble! After that it’s all about creativity, hard work, self growth and networking to name a few things. Compared to other careers being a graphic artist could be seen a pretty low cost career to get into as opposed to say starting a landscaping business where you would need a truck and tons of expensive equipment and other materials.

source: http://www.youthedesigner.com/2009/05/11/10-benefits-of-being-a-graphic-artist/

More disadvantages

Some research on answers from graphic designers about the disadvantages of being a graphic designer - here a few below.

"Graphic designers face several disadvantages. One is that their wrists tend to cramp because they're using the mouse a lot. Another is that they may struggle with their art directors when it comes to creating a design that must be edited, or even scrapped based on a client's preference. The last disadvantage is that designers are tied to a computer."

"Like any tech industry job, you can be in danger of having your job outsourced overseas. Graphic designers who work with video games often get laid off after the game ships and can work long hours. Graphic design in advertising can be a somewhat cutthroat option as well. Still, if you like the work, it's not a bad career."

"Being a graphic designer can be very stressful most people will pay you poorly, make ridiculous demands and will usually demand work be done in a very small time frame."

"In big companies, in-house design is one of the first areas cut when the economy sours. Graphic design positions can be outsourced because plenty of freelancers are looking for work."

source: http://snippets.com/what-are-some-disadvantages-to-being-a-graphic-designer.htm

My interests in graphic design

One of my favourite brands is Billionaire Boys Club.  It has some great graphics and my main interests in graphics are brands and clothing.

Here are some more images of other brands that i like and their graphics and identity.

Advantages of being a graphic designer

This article is uplifting and points out every good point there is about being a graphic designer!

Graphic design is a hugely competitive industry but it's worth the effort.

This article is uplifting and points out every good point there is about being a graphic designer!Twenty years ago, school career advice didn't even list it as a possible occupation. Graphic design has grown up a lot since then and has become a large part of the creative industries which, in turn, are now the second largest industry in the UK after finance. Consequently, it's much easier to find information on the subject. Google can give you 53 million entries on "graphic design" in a fraction of a second.

What is graphic design?

Graphic design is about solving problems using design to communicate the solution. The solution can be subjective and there is always more than one option, but selecting the right one can make a real and positive difference. If a picture can say a thousand words, imagine how many words a well-designed poster could communicate. It could convey a message that will stay in the mind for years.

What are the first steps into graphic design?

Schools, rightly, focus on information not creativity. Once you get to art college there is more time and better facilities to explore your creativity. If possible you should do a one-year art Foundation course before college, as it is a wonderful step to opening your eyes to creativity generally and other forms of art and design. This valuable time should also help you decide which subject you are most passionate about; passion is key, as most creative jobs require a great deal of personal involvement, time and dedication. In fact, for many, design is less a job and more a vocation.

Graphic design at college is a catch-all term, but the course usually helps you to develop your strengths before specialising in graphic design, advertising, illustration, editorial, web, information design or photography.

How do you get a job?

The UK has some of the best agencies in the world which, unsurprisingly, makes them extremely hard to get into, but there are some things you can do to give yourself a better chance of getting noticed.

One of the most important things – that is often forgotten – is to work hard and produce great work at college. Quality is still the best way to get noticed for all the right reasons.

Find a great design book and study it intensely. Look at what designers do and how they approach a great piece of design. Industry magazines such as Creative Review, Design Week and Eye are great for current news and work that is being noticed in the industry. Every agency is different, so identify the ones that are producing work that you respect and you would like to work for and learn things from, and start applying.

Try to get placements at respected agencies. Take the opportunity to get yourself noticed (do great work, be keen and definitely make tea). It's amazing how many placements become full-time.

While at college, enter the D&AD Student Awards, whose briefs are set by leading creative industry people; shortlisted or award-winning work really does unlock some doors, so it's worth getting involved. The best student work is subsequently published in an Annual that is sent to creatives across the industry. D&AD can also fix placements, and run regular workshops with professionals, who set briefs and do critiques.

What's it like when you have actually landed that job?

It's fun! Every day is different. You learn so much about design and what is possible technically, but also about clients with their different needs. Working in a team and producing work you are proud of, for all to see, is exciting.

When others enjoy and talk about what you have created or your work makes a real difference, it gives you an immense sense of pride. It's corny, but there really is nothing quite like saying to the people you care about: "I did that!" Ultimately, if your peers like your work too, you know you have made it!

source: http://www.independent.co.uk/student/magazines/graphic-design-is-a-hugely-competitive-industry-but-its-worth-the-effort-760043.html

Disadvantages of being a graphic designer

some findings from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5015093_disadvantages-being-graphic-designer.html on the disadvantages of being a graphic designer

Graphic design is a wonderfully creative field to explore. When the work is coming in and the clients are good, it can be the best job in the world. However, there are several downsides to being a member in this field.

If you freelance, you're on your own - and that means that unless you market yourself and are able to manage clients in a businesslike fashion, your work opportunities will be limited. You will also be responsible for paying your own taxes and insurance, which can be a hefty drain.

While you may have entered the design field because you love to create, a corporate design job often offers little leeway for your own creativity. You will be designing to a client's specifications, not your own - expect to have to make revisions

With a fresh influx of new graphic design interns becoming full-fledged designers every graduation season, it is easy to have your prices undercut in the freelance and corporate markets. Businesses will often opt to create their own designs as a money-saving tactic rather than hire a professional.
Many problems relating to freelancing are eliminated by taking a permanent position at a design studio, who do the marketing and client negotiations for you. However, these jobs are hotly competed for, so they fill very quickly.