7 Tips to Become a Successful Graphic Designer
So, you want to be a graphic designer? Follow these 7 rules and you’ll be on your way to becoming a successful graphic designer.
1. Don’t start your design process in the physical world
The magic of design happens in your mind. So relax and don’t put pressure on yourself to put something down immediately on paper.
People often think you need to be sitting at a computer to design, but you’re more likely to come up with inspired designs when running or lying in bed or doing whatever it is that frees up your thoughts.
2. Try not to put your first ideas on the computer
Once you have an idea, don’t immediately open a graphics program to start working on it. No matter how proficient you are, a graphics program will not allow you the same freedom afforded by pen and paper.
Start sketching and see what works and what doesn’t. You’ll quickly weed out lots of bad ideas and save yourself a ton of time. You’re much more likely to be honest with yourself and scrap bad designs, if you’ve spent 5 minutes on them and not 45.
3. Find design software that works for you
Everyone has a different opinion when it comes to design software. What you want is a program that lets you create designs without having to worry too much about complicated professional features, like robust layer management and fine-grained tools.
4. Don’t get caught up in software
A lot of new designers get too caught up in thinking that they have to learn everything about the tool before they can start designing anything.
Learn the basics of your tool so that you can do what you need to do. You’ll continue to learn and improve on the job.
5. Don’t get “too good” at design
A lot of people will spend hours following Photoshop tutorials on how to create “photorealistic” design elements. If you never get too good at design, you’ll never make the mistake of designing things that are way over the top and end up looking gaudy and unnecessary.
The trend in design is moving toward flatness, simplicity and minimalism. So it’s a good time for the amateur designer to join in.
6. Follow thought leaders in the design world
Everyone thinks they have good taste in design. Chances are, you think so too. But it’s not all about what you like. A good designer’s taste will evolve and will also incorporate ideas of those people that millions agree have good design sensibility.
Start following top designers and reading some of the best design sites. Don’t limit yourself to design though. Follow what goes on in the tech and startup worlds, as well.
7. Present yourself as a problem-solver
You have total freedom in your personal brand. As a designer, you run the risk of being perceived by companies, developers and peers as “just a designer”, an artist whose tool is Photoshop.
It’s up to you to present yourself as more than that, as someone who thinks deeply about problems and delivers solutions that are creative and innovative. It’s your responsibility to elevate your role and show people that design delivers creative solutions to many problems.
SOURCE: Como
