Graphic Design: 6 Tips for Becoming a Graphic Designer

Graphic design is a professional field in which designers create visual works of art for an intended commercial purpose, such as web design or advertising. Graphic designers use images, text, or a combination of both to convey a service, product, idea, or message. Making merchandise, product packaging, book covers, websites, business cards, or unique signage all fall under the umbrella of graphic design.

A career in graphic design is great for anyone who wants to translate their creative process into lucrative assignments. Graphic designers can work a number of freelance jobs, or pursue in-house design careers at established companies.

There are a variety of design elements to consider when you’re working on a graphic design assignment, some of which include:

1. 1. Size: Size is an easy way to direct someone’s attention to something in your design. You can use size to underscore the most critical aspects of a layout or advertisement, which can be helpful for marketers who want to prioritize certain visuals.
2. 2. Color: Color helps establish a mood for your composition, so graphic designers will want to have an understanding of color theory—which is a guide for mixing and pairing colors—and know how to properly use and blend colors to achieve the desired effect.
3. 3. Value: Value refers to the contrast between light and dark in your composition which helps create the illusion of movement.
4. 4. Lines: Different types of lines—whether horizontal, diagonal, or vertical—can help direct the eye toward a certain point in your composition. You can also create texture by incorporating curved lines or patterned lines.
5. 5. Space: Making proper use of space can help others view your design as you intended. Negative space—or the space between or around the focal point of an image—is just as important as the elements in your piece that take up space. A layout that’s too crowded can overwhelm the viewer’s eye.
6. 6. Shape: Shape can influence how your viewer interacts with your content, creating a variety of moods or experiences by arranging or manipulating your scene, or the visuals in it.
7. 7. Texture: Though works of graphic design are often two-dimensional, texture helps enhance an image by providing it with a sense of touch. Texture comes in both tactile (physical) and visual (sight) modes, each of which creates an added layer of experience between the viewer and the medium.

The graphic design industry is full of many kinds of opportunities. Some different types of graphic design jobs include:

1. 1. Advertising design: Advertising design is a field for graphic designers who want to work in the advertising industry. Advertising designers build the ‘meat’ of an ad campaign. They work under a creative director and an art director, who curate the vision for the campaign and task the graphic design team with bringing it to life. An ad designer researches their target audience and develops advertising strategies to deliver top-notch visual communication.
2. 2. Website design: A web designer’s job is to help establish the visual elements of a website, like page layout, navigation, typography, and color scheme. Web designers can create infographics or unique lettering styles that can draw attention to your website. However, graphic artists who design websites may not deal with coding or programming.
3. 3. User experience (UX) design: UX design deals with the usability of a design. Designers in this field use research to make platforms user-friendly, determining the best layouts across a variety of different mediums, such as computer desktops, mobile apps, or other electronic displays. UX designers are always finding ways to improve the ways that we interact with our electronics.
4. 4. User interface (UI) design: UI design is a more specific form of UX design, taking the foundation built by UX designers and focusing on more specific visual and interactive details, like scrolling or swiping. If UX design provides the structural design for a product or platform, UI design determines the user’s aesthetic relationship with the interface of a design.
5. 5. Logo design: A logo is a visual identifier for a business or organization, usually an image, symbol, or grouping of words (or sometimes a combination of all three) that partly serve as the public face of a company. Freelance logo designers can design logos, typography, or images for brands and companies, creating a way for a business to visually represent itself.
6. 6. Motion graphics designer: Motion designers create visual art for different forms of media like television, film, or animation. These designers can create title sequences, commercials, cartoons, or other moving visual elements.

There are a number of ways an artist can become a graphic designer. Read on below for a few steps on how to work as a graphic designer.

1. 1. Obtain a degree. Graphic design is a technical field that requires proficiency in many computer programs. Completing a graphic design program or earning your bachelor’s degree in the field can help hone your skills, and teach you all the necessary basics. Schools offer certain courses that will give you experience and allow you to connect with people who have experience.
2. 2. Create a portfolio. When you’re starting out, you may take a few low-paying jobs, internships, or self-assigned gigs to build up an impressive portfolio that represents your skillset. Once you have enough work to build a portfolio, include your best pieces that demonstrate your range of abilities.
3. 3. Make a website. Your website is the visual first impression of who you are, so you’ll want to design a compelling website that showcases your talents. Though you may need to enlist the help of a programmer, using your original designs in your website design can show potential clients or employers what you’re capable of.
4. 4. Update your graphic design skills. Graphic design technology is always evolving, which means that you’ll need to keep up with new visual tools and mediums. Stay up to date with design software programs, styles, techniques, or methods to make sure you always have something to offer.
5. 5. Network and collaborate. Collaborating with other designers can be a great way to break into the industry. Seek people out who are looking for designers with your particular skills, and try collaborating on a project together. Networking can be a great first step in getting to know people in your field, as well as lead to networking opportunities later on.
6. 6. Apply for jobs. Look online or in the trades for employers who are seeking freelance graphic designers. Try job sites specifically geared toward positions in the art field or look for any entry-level or part-time positions that suit your abilities.

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