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10 Skills Graphic Designers Need To Get Ahead In 2022
A new year is an excellent time to focus on the importance of continuing education over the next 12 months. And regardless of where you are with your profession, you must stop being carried away by the tides of history. Whether it is mastering the newest trends in digital typography, picking up some simple coding, or capitalising on cool new communication technologies by collaborating with other creatives, there are many ways to increase your attractiveness to prospective customers or employers.
01. Learning Typography
If you work as a graphic designer, you should already be familiar with the basics of typography; if not, begin with our primer, Typography rules and words any designer should recognise. You can learn graphic design and typography with the Blue Sky Graphics design course.
However, as graphic design gradually shifts from print to web, the importance of understanding the fundamentals of digital typography (as opposed to print) has never been greater. And it is not just a matter of converting ems to pixels.
02. Software expertise
It is entirely feasible (and remarkably common) for graduates of reputable design programmes to leave with no real coding skills. And that is perfect in one sense: as long as you have covered the fundamentals of graphic design, you will have a solid foundation upon which to build those skills later.
However, you will be required to do so at some stage. Indeed, it is very doubtful that you will be hired as a junior designer unless you have a firm grip on at least Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Meanwhile, if you are in a later stage of your career, it never hurts to add a few tech strings to your bow while applying for jobs, depending on the path you want to specialise in.
03. Image editing
As the environment becomes more visually oriented in the era of Instagram and Snapchat, image editing and retouching have become an increasingly necessary component of graphic design careers at all stages.
Primarily accomplished using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom, it encompasses everything from small-scale cleaning (removal of minor flaws such as dirt, pollen, flare, and glare) to cropping images to match various social media sites to full-on image editing and improvements.
04. Photographic techniques
Along with image processing, the ability to capture original images is a highly valuable skill for artists to possess. As a freelancer, this means reducing your dependence on stock photography and increasing your client’s worth. Additionally, if you work in a gallery and commission other photographers, your personal experience of the discipline will assist you in communicating with them more effectively and obtaining the shots you need.
05. User experience architecture
As the design industry becomes more digital-focused, user interface (UX) design becomes increasingly relevant. Employers are particularly interested in designers who specialise in the user interfaces of products. Many devices now rely heavily on data, necessitating the need for individuals with user interface design experience who can make such products simple to use for consumers.
So, what really is user experience?
The UX designer’s job is to maximise the other person’s enjoyment of an end product, not only visually but also cognitively, by eliminating barriers and simplifying the experience. UX design is not a graphic design or web design; it is a distinct practice that delves much deeper and is more in tune with human behaviour – but one that all artists are capable of doing once they have the discipline.
06. Coding
As is true for user experience, it is also true for coding. Nobody expects a graphic artist to create a website from the ground up – it would make them a web designer – so the more you learn about the coding process, the more effectively you will work with engineers and programmers on digital projects.
We believe in self-education and encourage our employees to use opportunities in addition to their day-to-day jobs. We safeguard this time for personal growth and deliver ‘creative days’ to stimulate or realign their thinking and passions. Additionally, we allow collaborators and vendors to exchange expertise – as an example; an external developer recently shared their knowledge of HTML and sensitive coding.
07. Artificial Intelligence/Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality
Though UX and coding have been around for a long time, other, more recent developments such as VR (virtual reality), AR (augmented reality), mixed reality, and AI are becoming increasingly central to design agency work (artificial intelligence). Any graphic designer must keep a close watch on such trends.
However, the trick is not only to educate oneself about it but also to recognise that the revolution is so swift that what we believe we realise now will not be true in five years, while also recognising that imagination and storytelling will still be at the heart of it.
08. Graphic design
Numerous seasoned web designers have shown a sense of being behind the curve in terms of digital abilities. On the other hand, there could be a skills disparity between certain younger artists and print design.
Despite the emergence of digital media, the relevance of print media to the design industry remains high, which means that learning how to set up your screen designs for the real world correctly remains a critical component of a designer’s knowledge base.
09. Identifying and resolving problems
As previously said, it is critical for any designer to concentrate on unique software and technical skills in 2021. However, if our problem-solving abilities are critical, how do we hone and improve them?
Get yourself uncomfortable, be humble, and go out to try something new. Create projects that stretch their own and the limits of the concept you are working on. Determine the extent to which a definition can be developed, and then take it there!
10. Expansive thought
In comparison to other skills that include systematic study through books, classes, or tutorials, this one is all about consistent and regular practice. It can continue with engaging the senses and increasing your knowledge of current events in our field, as well as reading about a wide variety of subject matters and, in many instances, attempting to analyse issues from many viewpoints.
