10 Nov Ten tips for studying graphic design
There are moments that are decisive, and we are not going to lie to you: it is not an easy decision. You can go around it a thousand times, starting in one place and ending in another… the important thing is the path. But if among the thousands of results with advice on studying graphic design and professional careers you have ended up here and only here, it is for a reason.
Whether it’s because you spend hours ‘drawing’ the titles of your notes and without knowing it you’re getting started in lettering, or you’re interested in art or you look at the evolution of brand logos, graphic design is taking its toll on you. It is undoubtedly an exciting world (what are we going to tell you about!) so, if you want to know where to start, keep these tips in mind.
Flee From Self-Centeredness
Never stay with the first idea, no matter how good it seems to you. Let ideas rest, find other ways to approach a topic, and learn to be flexible. Although intuition is an essential part of every artist, be humble to accept that sometimes that first great idea is not always a masterpiece. Do not be afraid to start from scratch when the first ideas do not add up after working on them a bit. And above all, be prepared for criticism, because your work will be examined by those who will commission your services.
Train The Eye
The movies and series you watch, the comics you read, and the artists you like. All these visual references are influencing you without even realizing it. The graphic design draws from a lot of disciplines, so the richer your visual culture is, the better you will know how to drive your creativity and solve day-to-day challenges. So don’t be afraid to go to exhibitions of photography, visual art, and contemporary artists when they come to your city and browse all the design books you can get your hands on!
Absorb Like A Sponge
And somewhat in line with the advice above, keep an open mind. Few professions are more changeable than graphic design, in which visual trends, consumer uses, and even social and technological changes mark our day to day. But we also have to know how to look at the past in order to write the future: research the history of design, and find ourselves in other designers who faced the blank page before us.
Take Care Of The Details
Sometimes our more artistic facet and the need to experiment makes us forget the importance of precision and detail in design, but, really, it is very important. Reviewing all the measurements, colors, and texts, with care and affection will make your work polished and increasingly professional.
Do Not Depend On Divine Inspiration
It’s not worth studying the night before the exam. In the most creative professions, we usually wait for that spark that normally arises, precisely, near the deadline. The truth is that this spark, many times, is nothing more than the pressure of time. Do not wait until the day before to start a laborious project, it is always better to start working with an idea, even if it is not the best idea in the world, to start building on a base.
Your Hobbies And Hobbies Are Important
Do you like photography? Do you play any instruments? As we already mentioned, studying graphic design draws from a multitude of disciplines, and what you learn with your hobbies influences your art. Perhaps if you paint in oil your designs will be more pictorial or if you like classical music you will seek precision in your work. Knowledge is multidimensional and no art is flat, so… keep building your own style from every possible place!
Connect With Other Designers
We are not independent and isolated islands. If social networks allow us something good, it is to meet artists and professionals from all over the world. A true window of inspiration to learn and integrate artistic currents, but also to talk, debate and collaborate with other graphic designers. Many design studios are born from these connections, also in the classroom: Who knows what projects you will start in the future with your classmates?
Listen To The Critics
And if leaving your ego aside is one of the most fundamental points, listening to constructive criticism will help you grow. Graphic design is a profession with constant feedback, in which the opinions of others can help you grow. Without losing your style or your personality, listening carefully to the opinions of other professionals can be very useful.
Constancy, Constancy… And Again Constancy
Do not give up. There are no magic formulas or well-kept secrets: the reality is that graphic design, like all creative professions, requires discipline. Have a routine, establish work dynamics and, above all, dedicate time to it every day. Persistence will not only polish your style but will also prepare you for a world of work in which you will be required to have a decisive capacity and precision that you will only achieve after many hours of practice.
Don’t Put It Off Until Tomorrow!
Start now: research other designers, practice, and practice… Making an investment in knowledge is a great first step, whether in design schools or using the free resources that are within your reach through the network. Get a computer (it doesn’t have to be the best) that allows you to start exploiting the resources of the different graphics programs and… to create!
We hope that these tips will help you in your career and that they will be the starting point of a profession that you will love. And if you have doubts you can always find other designers willing to solve them.
You may like to read WHY IS GRAPHIC DESIGN IMPORTANT?
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