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How to Get Started With Graphics Design: Top 6 Tips

Lauren Adley953 18-Jun-2019


Introduction
Ours is a visual world, full of different shapes and colors which inspire us in so many ways. Anything from clothes to food choices depend on the visual appeal, among other things. On the internet, graphic design means just about everything, with statistics showing that around 94 percent of users will immediately leave a website if they are not happy with the way it looks. All things considered, it doesn't strike as a surprise that so many businesses invest in the visual aspect of their brand, and so many people aspire to become graphic designers.
Nevertheless, becoming a graphic designer takes more than love, sense of aesthetics, certainly more than just a will to make money. For those of you willing to absorb what it actually takes to become a successful graphic designer, we compiled a list of tips which will show you the basics. The rest is entirely up to you.


Get the right tools

It would be so easy if one could just lay down the perfect graphic design software that everyone should use. However, the choice of software depends on individual needs, interests, personal preferences, and, more often than not – accessibility. In addition, there are software solutions which work on particular platforms, which means you won't be able to use them unless you own the proper hardware.
According to credible sources, Adobe family offers the most popular software when it comes to graphic design. Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign represent virtually all you need in order to create, edit, and publish your work. Illustrator can help you create the most astonishing vectors, Photoshop will equip you with everything you need in order to manipulate photos and images, while InDesign gives you the chance to craft pages and layouts ready for both digital and printed media.

Master typography
The way you represent a certain textual content affects the manner in which the audience reads it. Through clever use of your typography skills, you can emphasize portions of the text you really want the audience to see. Furthermore, creating your own fonts can push you above your competitors and stand as your personal seal, so anyone who sees a piece of content will automatically link it to you. Typography can also help you trigger just the right emotional response with the audience, which can be a powerful weapon if used skillfully.


Develop a flair for colors

Ask any graphic designer how important it is to have the ability to combine the right set of colors or create a unique palette which will distinguish your style, and they'll all tell you that it's all but essential. Furthermore, your potential clients will often ask of you to create a unique brand identity using color pallets that will be able to speak volumes on their own. Experiment with different tones, search for inspiration within nature but also try to keep up with different industry trends.


Find your area of expertise
This one is tricky simply because it's not easy to decide which field of graphic design is most suitable for you when you're just starting your career and picking up the basics. At this stage, you should experiment with different industries and platforms in order to see which one is your perfect fit. You could go with print or digital media which give you different options like book covers, typography, or branding for printed media, while digital world gives you the chance to find yourself within an app, website, or user experience design. The goal is to have a clear starting point, something that you can aspire to, and eventually, you can switch your field of work or, even better, expand your playfield.


Create and publish your portfolio
Acquiring new skills and learning the techniques necessary to get involved with graphic design is one thing, however, in case you want to make a living out of it you need to spread the word and show off what you can do. Social media is a great place to start, simply because posting your work on Instagram or Facebook is free and it allows you to generate a pool of followers that would share your work, provide feedback that can help you upgrade the quality of your work, and ultimately – find your first clients.
The next level would be creating your own website which would contain samples of your work and give you the chance to get even closer to your audience and future customers. You should also have a blog that would express your thoughts and aspirations. In case you’re not that sure about your writing skills you can always get help from a writing service like https://www.assignmenthelper.com.au/, https://www.essaymama.com/, best assignment help, UK best essays review or any other which you see fit. The point is to create a strong bond with your followers and get more and more people to see your work. The more visitors you have the higher the chance to convert a portion of them into clients.


Swallow your Ego
Most graphic designers start their career as guns for hire, which means you have to do what your clients ask you to do. It's always a good idea to talk things through and try to show your point of view if the client is open for that kind of discussion. However, in most cases clients will know, or at least think they know, exactly what they want, so don't feel bad if your creativity exceeds their level of expectation. Just think of it as a job.


Conclusion
Starting an art career is never easy, it takes a lot of dedication, commitment, and constant learning and adapting. Nevertheless, doing what you love and are good at is nothing less than a joyful experience. Finally, this article contains only the first steps you should take on a lifelong road, the rest of the path is of your own making – so just follow your heart, you won’t be wrong.   



Updated 18-Jun-2019

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