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7 foolproof ways to improve your graphic design skills
As a designer, it’s trivial to get caught in a rut. You discover a theme or niche that allows you to highlight your strengths, and before you know it, your graphic design portfolio is beginning to look a bit… samey. So, how can you bring a different dimension to your job when breaking out from the mould? Learn graphic design online through Blue Sky Graphics online graphic design course today!
Here are seven realistic and doable approaches to develop your graphic design abilities.
01. Research concept philosophy
Graphic design is a career, not a trade. Of course, you will gain a lot from doing, and there are also avenues to get into architecture without a degree. But, at the end of the day, a solid grasp of the discipline’s basics, such as grid theory, colour theory, typography, and the golden ratio, is essential.
For several artists, this is the point at which a structured design education really pays off. There are several opportunities, ranging from complete university degrees to concentrated short courses to distance learning setups, and if money is an issue, there are also some good free graphic design courses.
02. Discover how to get more out of reviews.
Dealing with feedback is one of the most mentally exhausting tasks we might do as artists. Nonetheless, it is totally essential if you want to develop your abilities.
Positive affirmation is wonderful when it is well-deserved, but it has no benefit other than an inflated sense of self-worth. And where it is undeserved and knee-jerk, it may potentially be detrimental to the continued growth (see: shared backslapping on several forums).
For example, rather than simply asking, “What do you think?” It is preferable to ask detailed questions (example: ‘It’s great’). ‘This is the brief; do you think I met it?’ or ‘Which aspect of the design did your eye concentrate on first?’ People would be willing to constructively criticise the job without coming off as a snobbish troll as a result.
It will also be beneficial for you to get insight on the work of other designers, allowing you to empathise and develop your analytical skills in ways that you can relate to your own work. Check out this post for more information about how to get more out of artistic criticism.
03. Begin a side project
Doing the same thing over and over in your 9-to-5 work will cause your abilities to become stale and your passion to wane. So, launch your own side project and keep your drive to learn new stuff going.
Learning a new design skill is often much simpler when you need it to build something unique, especially if that something is personal to you. So a passion project might lead you to develop new skills you’d never considered before, without the kind of self-discipline required for structured training.
Have no idea where to begin? Explore those awesome agency side projects or read our 6 ideas for better side projects.
04. Try something fresh.
There’s a phrase in the world of web startups: Fail soon. In other terms, you can just learn what fits well and what you’re amazing at by trying out a number of experimental concept concepts and bringing them into effect.
When it comes to playing with digital media, talents, and strategies, graphic designers will benefit from this method. So, instead of only utilising the same fonts, colours, templates, or apps for each design, shake it up a little and try something different.
Include a wild new typeface. Instead of 2D, try 3D. Get the modern concept tools. Instead of a pencil, use a ballpoint pen or charcoal to draw. See what happens if you break a guideline. Consider how this style may have been done in the past. Use illustration not photography. Increase the sum of whitespace by twofold. In a nutshell, chuck tradition out the window and see what sticks.
The most of the time, what lands is a hot mess. But every now and again, you’ll strike gold. And if you don’t, the act of experimentation will help clear your mind, allowing you to see which of your artistic talents ought to be improved and why.
05. Consult with other artists
Interacting with a large number of other designers is one of the easiest ways to develop as a designer. However, this can be complicated at times. You may be the only artist in a large corporation, a freelancer working from home, or a two- or three-person workshop.
But, in fact, all of these are only excuses. There are several simple ways to get out there and meet other creatives.
Participate in meetups, festivals, and workshops. Use social media to contact others. Look at forums. Make new mates. Let’s talk about architecture. Problems, obstacles, and issues can be discussed. Work together on a group. Send an email to a designer you respect. Demand that they double as your tutor. Participate in their podcast or start your own to interview your idols.
Through a nutshell, convince yourself to go out there. You’ll encounter some interesting people and discover more than you ever imagined.
06. Get a book to read
And if you have a degree, as the expression goes, “education is for life,” and you can never miss studying. So, the next time you have a lengthy train ride, switch off your cell and curl up with a nice graphic design novel. It would undoubtedly be a more productive usage of your time than snarling at bullies on Twitter or scrolling through food photos on Instagram.
07. Use a Colour Scheme That Is Consistent
A clear colour scheme, like the tip on fonts, allows the template more attractive and well-put-together. It is advantageous to have 1–2 main colours and 1–2 secondary colours that contradict or complement each other. A colour wheel may be helpful in this situation. It is critical to include visual accessibility in your design, particularly if you are designing for a large audience that might be colour-blind or have visual impairments.
