16 tips to improve as a graphic designer. Graphic design is a field that is quickly changing, both creatively and technically, and while it is easy to get caught up in learning new technical skills, it is just as important to focus improving and pushing the limits of our creativity.
While in design school, it was easy to surround myself with inspiration and engage in activities that helped my understanding of effective design. Once I graduated I feared losing it, since I was no longer surrounded by a learning environment. I made it a point to continue educating myself as much as possible and become more active in the field of design. I was determined not to let my designs grow stagnant, but rather transgress and improve with time. Here are a few tips, exercises and practices that have help me continue learning, strengthen creativity and become an all around better designer.
Become a collector Each time you see a design that inspires you, collect it, bring it home and file it away. Buy books Read design-related blogs. Want to know how to design? Learn The Basics. Want to know how to design?
Then you should learn the basics of design. The basic elements of design include colour, line, shape, scale, space, texture and value and these are the fundamental pieces that make up any piece of work. If you ever start a design course this will be the very first thing that you are taught, guaranteed. But what if you’re not a student? What if you’re not self-taught? Note from Jacob Cass: This is a guest article written by Lauren Marie who is a graphic designer in corporate America during the day and a blogger via night.
Colour Colour has a huge impact on the mood of the design. Select articles on color: Line Are your lines straight and slim, or thick and squiggly? How lines interact with each other is important, too. Select articles on line: Shape Did you know that shapes can convey a mood just like any other element of design? Select articles on shape: Using Shape: Real World Examples About.com Shapes in Design. Smarthistory: a multimedia web-book about art and art history. Home : Design Is History. Teach Yourself Graphic Design: A Self-Study Course Outline.
Fortunately, it isn’t required to go to design school in order to be a graphic designer.
A good foundation in graphic design history, theory, and practical application will help you hit the ground running. There are plenty of resources available in which you can learn graphic design on your own. Don’t set your expectations to high at first, as it will take enthusiastic study for years to become great. You can do it though! If you would like to learn graphic design from the ground up, through self directed study, then this article lists some great resources that will get you started with your design education. 1. There are a few graphic design principles that effect every project you’ll create. Shape, Spacing, and Rhythm I remember first learning these basic design principles , and they seamed so foreign at first. The Principles of Design by Joshua David McClurg-Genevese What is Graphic Design? Color, Texture, and Imagery Principles of Color Design by Wucius Wong Texture in Graphic Design 2.
Thinking with Type. An Introduction to the History of Graphic Design. Drag and drop font testing. Typetester – Compare fonts for the screen. 100 Greatest Free Fonts Collection for 2012.
Today we'd like to delight you with an extensive list of The Best Free Fonts for 2012.
We've made a collection in which you can find Sans Serif, Slab Serif, Rounded, Modern, Display , Art Deco, Geometric, Urban, Futuristic and even abstract style types. An important part of typography is selecting the right typeface for a project. This is one these things that you might want to keep handy for your next designs. Enjoy! Download fromBehance Serif, Slab Serif, Semiserif Typefaces ...
Script and Calligraphic Typefaces Sans Serif, Modern, Geometric Typefaces ... Display and Decorative Typefaces ...