Graphic Design is a collective name for multiple areas within the design workspace. In particular, the development of ideas and concepts and the production of digital visual products for publication and distribution fall under the collective name: “Graphic Design“.
What makes it worth learning about it?
Designing and producing digital content has become increasingly important. You can see it everywhere: well-developed concepts that you know take up a lot of time. So it’s something that almost every company can use. Graphic design isn’t a skill you’ll come up with. The best designers have been doing it for years and have had serious training in it. Are you really interested in design and design? Then it’s definitely worth learning about it.
Why do companies hire graphic designers?
Much chance that the entrepreneur or the big boss cannot do everything himself. Graphic design consists partly of technical knowledge and partly of creative influences. This means that you have to be selective in who you hire. Graphic designers have both the technical and creative skills to get started.
The technical knowledge you need
Both of us said, technical knowledge is really required to become a successful graphic designer. Having an idea is only useful when you can create it. When it comes to graphic design, it’s all about the knowledge of the programs and tools you use. Making the right choice between two or three tools for a project is also important.
Creating Graphic Designs with Photoshop
The showpiece of Adobe is an important tool for many designers. For image editing and graphic design, Adobe Photoshop is one of the most widely used programs in the world. Not surprisingly, many people start their dream to design by learning about Photoshop. In our opinion, that is also the place to start.
What graphics projects do you pick up with Photoshop?
Photoshop is originally a program with which you can edit photos or images. That’s where it excels. In recent years, however, many more functionalities have been added. For example, you can build complete designs from scratch, you can use the brushes to create true works of art, you can edit videos and create animations. The following example projects fit perfectly with Photoshop:
- Designing new banners for advertisements, your own icons and other promotional material.
- Editing your own photos and existing images
- Drawing and painting simple designs.
- Designing apps and simple websites.
Getting started with learning Photoshop, what to watch out for?
When learning Photoshop it is useful to at least do the things you see or learn yourself. This way you get to know the methods much faster. In the case of the online course Photoshop on Dark-UFO you will learn through instructional videos and practice assignments, so that you can quickly and effectively learn how Photoshop works.
Designing logos and corporate identities with Illustrator
Logo design and the creation of corporate identities is possible to a certain extent with Photoshop, but Adobe Illustrator is a better tool for this. It is designed so that creative types can illustrate new designs. Especially when it comes to designing logos, icons and digital drawings, Illustrator is your best friend.
What graphic projects do you pick up with Illustrator?
Ilustrator is a vector drawing program. This means that you can use it to create drawings that are in principle infinitely scalable. This makes the program very useful for house style design and starting to illustrate from scratch. The following example projects are best taken up with strong>Illustrator:
- Designing sophisticated logos and pictograms.
- Creating your own unique typography.
- Editing existing photos with extensive drawing tools.
Getting started with learning Illustrator, what to watch out for?
When learning Illustrator, it’s useful to learn from the videos and then take a bit of your own path in the practice tasks. Working with your own ideas is more convenient in Illustrator, because the program in the field of creativity allows more. Trying things yourself is more likely to give you the opportunity to discover and understand the functions. In the online course Illustrator you will at least get to know the functionalities and see what the program can do.
Creating infographics in Illustrator
This is the era in which information is central. However, there are certain aspects of man that do not change, such as the fact that we prefer to see rather than read. If you have knowledge of Illustrator, then it is worth learning about the making of infographics with Illustrator, as this is a much sought-after skill these days.
Making publications with Adobe InDesign
This can just be a subject that people don’t know belongs to the field of graphic design. However, this is certainly the case. Making publications, both offline and online, is an important part of the visibility of a company or brand. DTP has become much more important in recent years.
What graphics projects do you take on with Adobe InDesign?
Because Adobe InDesign is meant for DTP work, you actually grab all your projects related to online and offline publishing there. For example, the creation of brochures and magazines, but also the creation of interactive PDF’s can be picked up with InDesign. The following example projects fit in perfectly with strong>InDesign:
- Preparations for printed matter, such as magazines and leaflets.
- Digital publications, such as PDFs and digital brochures.
Getting started with learning InDesign, what to watch out for?
When it comes to learning InDesign, it is useful to work on your own “project”. Not only does this keep you motivated to go on, but it also feels much more personal. You can join the exercises and put them in your own file. Also in the online course InDesign on Dark-UFO you have access to videos, exercises and practice files.
The creative influence you need
Without an idea of what you want to create, designing something is impossible. That’s why we have tips for you, so you can let your creativity flow again.
1. Try something new every day
Trying out new things will give you new insights. These don’t have to be completely new things. For example, you can try to learn a few new words in the language you already speak, you can take a walk to a place you haven’t been to, or you can try something you’re not at all good at.
2. Capture new ideas
Many people have a notebook with them nowadays. That’s super smart for two reasons. The first is that we often have hunches, but at that moment we can’t do anything with them. This way you can remember it, without having to think about it. The second is that writing helps to stimulate creativity. Win-win, right?
3. Go for a walk without technology
Our screens make us less sharp. In fact, sitting still is not in our nature either. We need more exercise, preferably without the use of technology. Movement ensures that blood starts flowing again and that gives our brains the chance to get to work. Combine this with the two tips above and you’ll be able to do it all over again.
4. Try not to be perfect
Customers can often want much more than is possible. There will always be other people with a critical eye. Stop making something that everyone likes, make what is needed and what you yourself are satisfied with.
5. Always laughing
Smiling makes you happy and vice versa. Happiness and creativity stimulate each other. So do you feel a little moody? Then take a look at these tips to stimulate your creativity.