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The arts have become an integral part of our life. From poetry to film, we have been consuming them in different forms and styles. One profession that falls into this category is graphic design. In this age of digitalization, you can get well paid as a graphic designer. Different businesses hire a graphic designer to create their logos, web designs, work with advertising and marketing materials, just to name a few. You may be second-guessing, “do I need a degree in graphic design to start working?” Fortunately, the answer is no. Some businesses will hire people based on their output and will look more on your portfolio rather than your academic background. If you wish there are many resources like UI UX course which would add a great advantage in your profile.
If you are someone who wants to get started on their graphic designing career, then you’re in luck! We’ve listed down practical tips and ways on how to get you started.
Learn the basics
Yes you may be creative and you know how to draw, but knowing the theories and fundamentals are just as important. This will serve as a guide and something to go back to for inspiration. Some basics that you should know are composition, color theory, form, typography, and structure. Mastering the fundamentals alone will drastically improve your skillset. Later on, you can cover the more advanced skill sets without any problem.
Surf the web
This may be an obvious step. Luckily, everything that is covered in art schools can also be found on the web. Try curating your own syllabus and follow a strict schedule, or take one of the many courses that offer graphic design certificates online. There are different tutorials on YouTube to help you develop your style. There are also websites where you can sign up and take free online classes. Ebooks are also now readily available for a step to step guide. Search for different graphic artists and observe how they create their art. You get to develop your design process along the way.
Invest in a good drawing software
Of course, as a graphic designer, you are going to need a software or app. If you’re going to make a profession out of it, you need to know all the features of your app to aid you. You have to consider the price, functionality, tools, and interface before you invest in a drawing app. Some of the crowd favorites are Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. Some drawing apps offer free trials and will give you access to a wide range of tools. Make sure to do your research before subscribing to a drawing software.
Consume art in different forms
You can’t really establish your style without the inspiration of another. The more art content you consume, the more you become wary of different forms and structures. You can find your inspiration from comics, webtoons, anime, art books, and more. The options are endless! Some people collate the works on their favorite artists and follow them on different social media platforms. If you use Pinterest, you can create a mood board. However, be aware of the ethics of saving and downloading art for inspiration. You don’t want to be tagged as someone who steals art without the permission of the artist.
Choose a specialization
Under graphic designing, different niches will branch out. There’s logo design, lettering, web design, app design, to name a few. Focusing on a specific niche will help you decipher your strengths and weaknesses. You also get to market yourself better. While it is better to have a niche, it will also be helpful for you as an artist to explore other mediums.
Build your portfolio
After doing the aforementioned steps, creating an art portfolio will help your creative juices flow. If you are going to practice, collate all your finished works. Might as well start building your own portfolio since this will be a major requirement when you start applying. You can create mock-up designs, letterings, and logos just so people who are hiring will have a basis. Make sure to let your personality shine through so that your art will stand out. There are a lot of graphic design portfolios online to give you an idea of how to start creating your own. To become a good graphic designer, keep practicing!
