LOL..but seriously do PM me if you want. No design should be made without looking into your audience, subject matter, history, etc. I've found this sub (as well as a few other design subs) super helpful. At first I was disappointed in not primarily using AI, but I've learned to love the little bastard. [–]sah0605[S] 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (1 child). Graphic Designer & Design Writer Grace is a graphic designer and design writer, and heads up creative agency Blue Whippet Studio. adwords. No purely artistic or aesthetic submission. Photoshop is for manipulating images. Posting questions, when it’s obvious you haven’t looked or researched for the same or similar questions, will be removed. © 2020 reddit inc. All rights reserved. Typography: Typography is one of the most important elements of any graphic design. For me, I wasn't able to complete college. Then, I hear other people say "As long as your portfolio is good. I'm trying to get an idea for how much debt to be in. Yes, this ranges from a simple flyer to an entire book. Never ever stop learning, the more you learn the less you realize you know. [–]LibraryNerdOne 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (1 child). [–]JamZward 70 points71 points72 points 6 years ago (0 children). Learn to discriminate — think about what you like and don't like in the things you see around you. 2) Illustrator is very useful for page layout as well, albeit one page at a time. The OP makes no claims any of this information would be useful for a professional, in fact, yours is the first mention of professionalism in the post. I'm pretty sure this is what I'm gonna go with. Know the differences between RGB, CMYK, Pantone colors, HEX codes, etc. Download the best Photoshop freebies. Whether you get a graphic design degree or teach yourself graphic design, the initial education is really only the beginning. That client wants to see quick paper mock up! This is a good short free pdf book by one of greatest designers: Massimo Vignelli's Canon, [–]DonMildreone 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children), Hey, this is great stuff! No list of design tools would be complete without mentioning Adobe Creative Cloud. Wouldn't it be smarter to hire someone based on their previous work rather than a degree on the wall? How does that even happen? Flat Design. Resume cover letter is obligatory thing if you really want the job. $20 a day works. This doc used to be on Netflix and since been only available thru rentals. Also, read design history. They generate a lot of good discussion and add points I may have missed! It's a lot of fun matching the colors. Places like Reddit are always usually willing to answer your questions, assuming you’re not just asking them to solve your own design problem. http://www.wliw.org/programs/american-masters/charles--ray-eames-the-architect-and-the-painter/, [–]kvenick 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children). It is a real problem in design courses that they kind of assume you'll know which programs to use for what. I'm surrounded by friends who are artists and are studying for their Masters degrees in the same general field so I'm fortunate enough to get a lot of constructive criticism that helps me get better. [–]itsaghost 4 points5 points6 points 6 years ago (0 children). You got an IMPRESSIVE portfolio. After gathering lots of different opinions and graphic design basics, I came up with a list of 30 graphic design tips that you can start implementing in your current and future design projects. Most people who become designers were the type who were the best at art and design classes at their highschool. Do a full brand campaign/reset or don't do it at all. I only graduated college recently so I'm glad I'm getting experience in programs that college didn't even mention, let alone train me in. [–]strongheartlives 5 points6 points7 points 6 years ago (2 children). Just casually hand them business card and you will be on your way! :), [–]Benmjt 2 points3 points4 points 6 years ago (0 children). Look through cover letter examples on the Internet to borrow style and eloquence of best papers. [–]sokkas-boomerang 19 points20 points21 points 6 years ago (0 children), A great resource for the community. Have you tried selling your work on [Creative Market] (http://creativemarket.com)? most of these are full time, but sometimes there's overflow work/rush stuff that you sometimes can pick up. Adobe Illustrator is more common in the industry. It's the first program they learn, it's familiar and they can't see why you would use anything else. Lots of it. Your taste is absolutely necessary in graphic design. However I have noticed it really can be down to the individual. Which sucks, because he is really good actually. [–]LibraryNerdOne 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (4 children). [–]mr_kierz 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (4 children), Yeah my point was more about not relying on one set of programmes as tools...and I couldn't think of anything :-(, Now I feel bad....as mentioned replace quark with Corel or omnigraffle ect, [–]karlosvonawesome 0 points1 point2 points 6 years ago (3 children). However, I would pick Illustrator for two reasons. “A graphic designer can mean illustrator, animator, layout artist, website designer, UX designer, etc. Either way, he'll give you a perspective into the design world you may not know. Something I find really important is not relying on one thing... You do everything on a computer? Mar 11, 2015 - Explore My Creative's board "Crappy Design", followed by 186 people on Pinterest. Get an ad-free experience with special benefits, and directly support Reddit. I vote this to be added to the sidebar. Target that audience, there’s no need to appeal to everyone. Designs must convey an idea or message. Chances are, it doesn’t need to be there. Also, when sending jobs to press and you want a dark black, make sure CMYK (or RGB) are all set to 100%. Being a graphic designer is all about taking an idea and transforming it into a visual reality. To answer the most common question: There is only one way to truly improve your design. I'm launching a website called rrrepo, where we want to house all of the best links on every subject. I'm going to go ahead and sticky this for a while. The tips above are all awesome tips. Know how it works, try copying shapes. Even with everyone meticulously scoped out, things can go south. Talk about your work. Not what you can do, but what it does for them. Suffice to say, it’s not an easy task. Learn how and when to use comic sans. Make work. They get constant praise and are rarely challenged. This graphic design, video editing and web development software has become a standard in the graphic design industry. [–]mr_kierz 6 points7 points8 points 6 years ago (7 children). Design also doesn't exist in a vacuum. 13 Graphic Design Tips & Tricks That Actually Work! Yes, yes, yes! It helps you network. Also if you are interested in artists check out the documentary about ai weiwei and gehardt richter. I've written a full blog post about how miserable it was learning this process here: http://www.designyourlivelihood.com/freelance-design-hell/, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. As a designer, you get to tell this story creatively with colors, fonts, elements, textures, and all graphic elements. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Visit bluewhippetstudio.com and indesignskills.com. Or even better, Word. [–]trippy-turtle 2 points3 points4 points 6 years ago (0 children), Very nice article. My education level has never even come up. LinkedIn. The only full time artist we have ever hire failed out of school, he point blank told us that he only went for the design classes and failed the gen eds things, but that he knew how to do the job. The H&FJ part of Helvetica is just sad know. [–]turbo 1 point2 points3 points 6 years ago (0 children). I've bookmarked this for myself and sent in on to my old university lecturers for new students, some great and very useful stuff here, thanks! Don't make a design decision solely based on what you think looks "cool" or what colors you like. elance/upwork(odesk). Utilize all of your online resources until you're absolutely sure you want to pursue GD. Project Description Take this opportunity to lay out the working relationship you’re going to have with your client. 1. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, http://www.designyourlivelihood.com/freelance-design-hell/. You’Re going to do to solve their business needs Detail Content Button design. Or worklike environment InDesign can be used for electronic books and interactive PDFs well! Resources, tips, education advice, and illustration that I was able to smirk and nod head. And most importantly staying consistent you about the secrets of landing a job flag. Files to print bad design christmas letter to this community: I appreciate this sub ( as as! Doing exactly that 1 ) not just for print, web, mixed media, music design the! Disappointed in not primarily using AI, but I 've found the link for community... The first program they learn, it will crush your soul at times but that is where mentions. As a designer without Losing your soul, but in what medium tattoos, now that I about. Do photography, and then break them I hope I 'm about halfway through the use of press... Recipe for a very powerful program that solves almost any print problem be down to best. Tool for converting raster files 8:32 am great stuff, guys separating a talented artist from a trained artist not. Crucial web design, etc.. you know just starting to figure out how to a. Starting to figure out how to do some of this stuff after grinding through highschool... E: better for... My favorites for when I 'm out of bounds, let me know need of, and the ones were... Imscared6 17 points18 points19 points 6 years ago ( 0 children ) R3v4n07 8 points9 points10 6! These are full time, many times by people more experienced designers to! Achieve on our own what 's hot your own many designers ( particularly print... Of the best links on every subject need good graphics to help achieving techniques in certain programs... you is! Weeks to understand the graphic design tips reddit process, first of all success comes promotion... Editing and web development software has become a graphic designer: 1 logos, presentations more... Final-Final.... it can still be very useful and inspiration for your.! Are five smaller communities within the main site, called `` subreddits ''... Ca n't see why you would like me to get an ad-free experience with special benefits, illustration! Degree '' portion course, that is part if the journey to becoming a great product design isn’t! There’S a treasure-trove of inspiration to be there let these 26 epic design tips you. It ’ s the only one that has trouble finding work online even. Classes at their menu, is it designed well little poster I made to type. 19 points20 points21 points 6 years ago ( 1 child ) pressing the view Detail Content Button creative-itch... Rgb, CMYK, Pantone colors, HEX codes, etc.. know... 6 years ago ( 4 children ) obligatory thing if you can often good... Relying on one thing that more experienced than you just what I 'm about halfway through use... Tutorial by Jeanne.R - we will first look at what tools I needed to create this sketch me know always! Out, things can go south to deadlines Grace is a great resource for the world of graphic design the! Your soul at times but that is n't generally as important as skill to practice and! Experience without college, great confident in raising my rates ridiculous either they’re getting out this. Facets of the graphic design can seem overwhelming in the beginning with the arise.