Graphic Design Illustrator Learning Online – 8 Misconceptions Surrounding Graphic Designers
From the logos we see on our favourite clothing brands, to the packaging our breakfast cereal comes in, these, and much more besides, are all prime examples of graphic design.
Graphic designers are extremely valuable to businesses as graphic design is such a key component of marketing and advertising. With so many businesses now seeing the importance in good graphic design, now is the perfect time to sign up for a graphic design Illustrator learning online course, and become a designer yourself.
If you have decided that you wish to pursue a career in graphic design however, there are certain things you will need to know. To begin with, mastering applications and tools such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop is not easy. It takes months, if not years to train to become a fully qualified designer, and the work itself can be very tough.
Despite the challenges that graphic designers tend to face, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding graphic design, that we feel need debunking and clearing up for good. Here are several common misconceptions surrounding graphic design.
Graphic designers always work in gorgeous surroundings
If you browse Instagram and other social media, specifically for graphic designers, you’ll see that a lot of them do indeed work remotely, in stunning locations like beaches, clifftops, mountains, and gorgeous countryside. If you wished to do so, you could certainly work this way as a designer, but please do not think that graphic designers always work this way.
The truth of the matter is that, while there are plenty of digital nomads out there, most graphic designers will simply work from home in their spare bedroom or their home office. We aren’t saying these settings aren’t glamorous, it’s just that they’re no way near as glamorous as social media would have us believe.
Graphic designers earn heaps of money
One of the main reasons why there has been a surge in the amount of people signing up for a graphic design Illustrator learning online course is because graphic design can be a very rewarding career to get into.
Graphic designers can get paid very handsomely and can earn a very good living, but it will take a while to get there and there are better paying careers out there.
For some reason, people often assume that graphic designers earn heaps and heaps of money and are incredibly wealthy. While the job pays well and while you can charge more as you progress, you shouldn’t expect to work a few years as a designer and then retire in your early forties because that’s highly unlikely indeed.
Graphic designers just design logos
For some reason, people seem to think that graphic design is purely about designing logos, and that’s it. Sure, graphic designers do indeed create logos, but graphic design is about so, so much more than that.
Graphic designers may be hired to design business cards, to make infographics, to illustrate book covers, to design posters and flyers, to design the packaging for a new perfume or food stuff, and much more besides.
While you will be hired to create more than your fair share of logos during your time as a graphic designer, don’t think for one second that that’s all you will be doing because you won’t, unless you choose to specialise in logo designs of course.
Graphic designers work part-time hours for a full-time wage
While it would be fantastic if this was the case, the truth of the matter is that sometimes as a designer, especially when you’re just starting out, the exact opposite will be true.
When you get started with your online course and sit down with your graphic design Illustrator learning online tutor, they’ll quickly explain to you just what it takes to create even the smallest and seemingly most basic of designs.
Graphic designers spend a lot of time working on their designs, and they certainly cannot do the work required to earn a full-time wage from part-time hours.
As a designer, you’ll likely work unsociable hours, you’ll be up late tweaking designs and creations, and you’ll certainly have to get used to working on weekends sometimes as well, especially if you’ve an important deadline to meet.
Graphic design is just for print medium
Another common misconception surrounding graphic design and graphic designers, is that designers will only be hired to create work for print mediums. The truth of the matter is that designers may be hired purely for digital purposes.
Sure, posters, business cards, flyers, and magazines are all created thanks to graphic designers, and will obviously need to go to print before they become a reality, but there are heaps of roles for designers solely online.
In fact, there are more digital mediums requiring the expertise of a graphic designer than there are print mediums nowadays. Whether it’s a website banner, a company logo, a letterhead, social media graphics, infographics, email newsletters, digital magazine art, and plenty more, you certainly won’t be shy of digital work opportunities.
Graphic designers don’t need sophisticated equipment
Okay, we know that there are plenty of free apps and pieces of software out there which are based upon graphic design, but even so, these are in no way, shape, or form, a substitute for quality, proven apps and equipment.
If you want to make it as a graphic designer, you are going to have to invest in a good computer and/or tablet, subscribe to various tools and applications, and of course, pay for quality tuition.
As part of your graphic design Illustrator online course, your tutor will explain the importance of good quality equipment and will recommend devices to invest in, and sites, services, and tools to subscribe to.
Graphic design is all about fancy fonts
When bringing ideas to life, sure, many designs you’re hired to create will require fancy looking fonts, but there is so much more to graphic design than that.
Text layout is an important component of graphic design, nobody is disputing that, but this is not just about choosing a nice looking fancy font that seems to look good. You also have to think about which specific type of font conveys your message most efficiently, communicates brand values, and compliments the other elements of your design.
Rather than just choosing fancy fonts, graphic designers instead look for fonts that work with the other elements of their design and tell the story that they want telling. Not Comic Sans, though, anything but that!
Graphic designers know everything there is to know about graphic design
If a graphic designer claims to know everything there is to know about graphic design, they’re lying.
Graphic design is a complex industry that is constantly evolving, and with the changes and advancements in modern technology, designers have to stay up-to-date and keep up with trends and changes in the business.
While all of the best graphic designers will be very knowledgeable regarding graphic design, they certainly won’t know everything there is to know about graphic design.
