5 tips to become a better designer
5 tips to become a better designer
The other day I was browsing a FB page for Steemit designers and someone asked:
How can I become a better designer?
In answer to that question I wanted to share a collection of the best resources I've used to learn new skills and become a better designer, some of these I've been using for years, and some I've discovered recently, but all are quality content.
Full disclosure, the tips that make this list are based on my personal experience working as a designer with very limited financial resources. This is not about learning new software or making certain projects. This is about grasping the big picture of design as a career.
1 Become a master at image making
Good photography skills can make a huge difference in the way your work is perceived by clients. I recommend presenting your work as well composed pictures instead of using flat files with shadow effects in psd. A combination of pics and files also works. Using photography will make your work look professional and you will stand out for your dedication and attention to detail.
If you want to become a better photographer, image editor and composer I highly, highly recommend joining CreativeLive. All classes are free when you watch them live. Almost all the things I've learned about photo editing are thanks to this website. Enroll in one class and you won't regret it, at least I didn't.
2 Become an expert at image selection
If taking pictures is a no-go, no problem, try using the best mock-ups you can find online, also for free. Some of the resources for free mock-up images I use the most are:
You can also find more variety and super professional mock-ups at a "low-ish" price in sites like: CreativeMarket, and the more recently discovered YellowImages. The packaging mock-ups are amazing! but they cost a lot of money unless you sign up for a yearly subscription.
Follow these rules to select your images
- Take your time, don't pick the first thing you see, only choose the best.
- Use images that look consistent for each project. Search photos taken by the same photographer or from the same photo-shoot.
- Avoid images that look like commercial stock photography. Look for candid shots with lighting that matches the vibe of the trademark/work you are displaying. Subjects and objects should look natural and not posed.
- Take your time perfecting your photo comps adding details that you would see in a real life scenario.
3 Focus in one area or two...or maybe three
If you want to be a highly paid and recognized designer, choose 1 to 3 areas of expertise. Become the best you can be in that area by creating in-depth Case Studies for your portfolio projects, (even if they are for fake clients). Take all the free courses you can in that area, keep a consistent stream of posts in your social media profiles with one type of work.
Some individual and combo areas to think about are:
- Visualization and Information Design
- Visual Identity and Branding
- Lettering and typography design
- Motion Graphics
- Illustration
- Packaging
- UI, Web and apps
- Print and editorial
Once you've made your pick, search for expert designers in the area of your choosing in Behance, Dribbble, Social Media and even in classic design books. These people will be a constant source of inspiration, learn from them, observe their style and read their publications. Finally, build your portfolio focusing on these 1-3 areas. Always choose works that have a consistent look when viewed next to each other and a unique style that links them to you.
After many years in the print and editorial area I'm trying to branch out into lettering and flat Illustration. I know it's going to take me years to learn these skills, but I realized I want to do more of the stuff I love. I would really enjoy lettering for a long time, and giving the computer some down time as well. I opened a social media account to show only lettering projects. Focusing on what you love will make you a better designer, in my opinion.
3 Become a lifelong learner
There are so many sites to learn new skills for free it is mindblowing. A lot of times I feel I don't have enough time in my life to cover all the things I want to learn, but I love when I can take classes from famous designers online either free or really cheap. Some of these sites are:
- Skillshare with classes by the famous Ellen Lupton, letterrer extraordinaire Jessica Hische and information designer Nicholas Felton. When SS had the one month of classes for $1 dollar promotion I learned a ton from them. These are people I really admire and taking their courses cost me next to nothing.
- Udemy this site has both free and cheap design courses. I've only signed for the programming courses, but my internet hasn't helped me completing the long video classes. In this site you can even complete a college degree. I recommend looking at the previews and reviews before buying any course, and never pay full price because they always have special deals and discounts.
- Coursera this site has courses from renowned colleges and universities. Even CalArtarts offers a certificate in design. It's free to enroll for the first 7 days. This means getting top notch education at a bargain.
If you don't want to learn the traditional way (with lectures and asignments) and you just want to perfect your skills guided by professionals I just found a youtube channel called TheFutur that is a true gem. It features Creative Director Chris Do with his top designers and interns reviewing design work. It's like attending a design school from abroad for free. You can even get your logos and portfolios critiqued in this channel.
The thing with design is that it's an ever-changing profession, so you owe it to yourself to keep updated of what's going on to stay relevant.
4 Become a nit-picky typesetter
I feel typesetting makes a design go from amateur-looking to professional. There are many secrets to use typography correctly starting with optical letter spacing, kerning, leading, hierarchy and more. There are so many principles and rules on how to use type it feels almost too restricted and crazy, but following these principles will make a huge difference in your work. There are some really cool resources for type like Ina Saltz' Course Type 101 in Lynda.com. I had access to Lynda for free for a couple of years when I studied abroad, but not anymore. So, for a low income I would recommend classic type books like:
- Typography Essentials: 100 Design Principles for Working with Type (Design Essentials)by Ina Saltz
- Thinking with Type, 2nd revised and expanded edition: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students by Ellen Lupton
- Typography: My Way to Typography by Wolfgang Weingart
- Typographie: A Manual of Design by Emil Ruder
I know these books are crazy expensive, but if you have access to a library, you might find one or more of them. Some are available as pdfs as well. You didn't learn that from me ;)
5 Learn how to code
This essential skill will become handy in all kinds of design jobs, like customizing email templates, updating websites with new content, understanding what is going on with the type display on-screen, and so on. Even if you don't want to be in the area of UI, Web and app design, you will eventually end up coding, or at least I have. I know a bit of HTML, CSS and have used JQuery snippets in all kinds of odd jobs. Plus, it's always a skill that employers look for or appreciate. For learning how to code I've taken college classes, but I've also used:
- Codecademy
- Udemy
- Jessica Hische and Russ Maschmeyer's site Don't Fear the Internet
I wish you a great career in design. Keep pushing yourselves and let's become better designers together.
If you would like to add another item or resource to this list let me know in the comments below.
Thank you for reading and visiting. BTW, I can't believe I already reach my first milestone of 100 followers! This is so exciting; I can't thank you enough for your support.