Everybody wants to be a Graphic Designer, but do you ever thought that to be one it is not simply as drawing on a piece of paper. Becoming a good graphic designer depends on your creativity and work rate. Don’t worry we’ve all been there! Here are 10 Tips to help keep you above the rest.
10 Tips to help you become a successful graphic designer:
1. Do Lots Of Throw-away Work
Yes, being a perfectionist is good, but, paradoxically, you need to embrace imperfect work as well, since it’s an important part in learning how to get better at graphic design. Between those perfect masterpieces, practice your graphic design chops on pieces of experimental, throwaway work that improve your abilities. This approach will not only help you improve your graphic design skills, but also create a stellar design portfolio. These is one of the 10 Tips to help on becoming one.
2. Never assume everything is fine
You must erase the word ‘assume’ from your vocabulary if you want to be a good designer. Before delivering your work, double checks it and for the printing process pre-print to ensure everything is correct and up to standard.
3. Learn Graphic Design Theory – Typography, Color Theory, & Grid Systems
Getting back to fundamentals with a fresh mind takes you beyond what you already thought you knew and will help you come up with new design ideas. Graphic design is not simply slapping a fun font and a few images into a design. Instead, good design and strong layouts can be approached in a scientific manner. You must put a lot of effort into determining the correct imagery, layout, spacing, visual structure and appropriate typography, and an appealing design. Graphic designers must consider the elements and principle of design and always bare it in mind. Designers must know how color and imagery impact individuals and how to manipulate them effectively to direct users (and buyers) where you want them to look.
4. Learn To Trust Your Artistic Instincts
Trust your instincts; they will take you where you need to go on your journey on how to get better at graphic design. Veronese, one of the first major painters to have his works sought by collectors in his lifetime, was educated in the Mannerism school of painting, which was popular at the time. His instincts led him to shed tradition and pursue the naturalist style for which he became famous.
5. Understand Business Basics: Contracts, Marketing, & More
To be clear, don’t think that graphic design is simply a technical art. Explore the basics of business, so you have a solid understanding of a company’s background and history when a client approaches you with a project. Understanding how business leaders think will help you create the kind of strategy that they can understand and appreciate. Knowing how graphic design works hand-in-hand with the marketing and sales teams allows you to be relevant and invaluable to a company. As you continue to learn and grow, expand your horizons to include the aspects of business and marketing that will improve your ability to effectively design and support the brand.
6. Join Forums
Most of the best creative designers work from home, but this should not stop you from joining forums. They allow you to meet people from around the world, and share ideas that will take your work to the next level. Collaboration with others is helpful in becoming a good graphic designer. Some useful forums include Designate online, Graphic Design Forum, and Smashing Magazine Forum.
7. Keep yourself abreast with the latest happenings
Graphic design is a fast moving profession that requires you to move with it. Keep informed about the latest developments taking place in the industry. Visit forums to see what people are saying, and get information on the latest software that will improve your work.
8. Enter A Graphic Design Competition
Competitions pit you against other graphics designers who are just as good as you, offering you an excellent opportunity to force you to seek an edge.
9. Cooperate with your clients
Always be on good terms with your clients. Resolve any issues amicably – as much as possible – so your client relationships stay in good standing. You never know the volume of work that a client might give to you, or who they might pass your name onto in recommendation. The more jobs you complete, the more experience you gain.
10. Be honest
Honesty is the greatest virtue when it comes to business. Don’t sell yourself short, but never oversell yourself or overestimate your abilities in an effort to promote your business. Just be yourself and work will start flowing in before you know it.
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