Easy Steps to Improve Your Graphic Design Skills

Improvement is one thing that everyone would like to have. All of us want to be better in every field we are in so that we can offer more to our clients and to other people. We always want to see growth and development not just in our works but also as a person. We might be oblivious of the fact that the things we do could actually make us better individuals and as it does, we have to do better as time goes by.

As a graphic designer, it is important to seek for improvement. This will not only impress your client and bring in more clients but this will also add more self-confidence for you. Always remember that famous graphic designers started at the point where you are at now. But they managed to get to the top because they kept on improving and they never cease to look for ways to be better designers. There should be willingness and eagerness in you to always aim for more even if you think you are already contented with what you have and what you can show. But, if you eye for improvement, you will be amazed with the results. In this post, we will share to you some tips to help you improve as a graphic designer:

1. Make your own projects.

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Even if you do not have projects from clients, make some. This will help you sharpen your skills and express your creativity. Also, you can use this as work samples if ever your client would like to see one. You can create fake brands and fake companies, then use them in making, logos, posters, brochures, websites, stationeries and others. Do this every time you do not have a project to work on. Remember that practice makes perfect. So, keep on doing what you usually do.

2. Improve your previous designs and other’s designs.

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Also, aside from making your own projects, you may improve your old designs. For sure you still have it archived in your hard drive or in a CD or DVD. You may check them once in a while and add some touches that will make it unique. You can also work on other people’s design by re-working on it, thus having a totally different output. This will also sharpen your skills. You could have some additions to your portfolio, too.

3. Collect designs for inspiration.

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For sure, there are times when you browse for different designs in the internet or in magazines or you may find something that looks good and you would like to keep it. Make a collection of different designs where you can get ideas from when you feel like you run out of creativity juices. But look at your “inspiration collection” from time to time ‘coz it helps to boost your eagerness and willingness to work. It will surely keep that “designer engine” running.

4. Make your own blog and read other’s blogs.

Image: Eduard Titov

Blogging is good for it helps you express yourself and sharpen another skill which is writing. You’ll never know, some of your write-ups might help others same way as other’s blogs are helping you. You can actually get so much information and inspiration in reading blogs. Try to search for designers blogs in the internet and you can enjoy reading them during break time and leisure time.

5. Connect with other designers and learn from them.

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Get to know other designers who had more experiences than you and those who are still starting like you. You can ask for advices from those who had been in the field longer and you can share new ideas with those who are still neophytes. You can have lots of friends through this whom you can ask for professional advices when you need one.

6. Be active in online design communities.

Image: Eduard Titov

There are lots of online design communities that you could join. This is a must for designers for it keeps you updated all the time and you could request for feedbacks and critiques from other designers around the globe. These designers can help you improve your work through their inputs for your designs which you could apply not just for one project but for other projects, too.

7. Take pictures.

Image: Eduard Titov

In collecting designs for inspiration, you take pictures of those designs which you cannot bring home with you. Also, this could sharpen your photography skills which is also needed for a designer. You may take pictures of paintings, buildings, or just anything that interests you and gives you an idea to work on something differently. If you scan your pictures, for sure, there will be tons of new designs that will come to your mind.

8. Attend seminars and conventions.

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You will get new design ideas and knowledge if you attend seminars and conventions on designs. Aside from learning, you also meet new people whom you can add to your network and you’ll also add another certificate to your portfolio.

9. Have a design book collection.

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Aside from collecting designs, collect books on design, too. There are book sales in some places where in you can buy informative and cheap books. These could either be educational, inspirational or technical books. You will find them helpful.

10. Enrol in design classes.

Image: Eduard Titov

There are colleges who accept enrolees even if they do not get all the subjects for a semester. You can try this so that you can learn new things. As time goes by, there are some teachings in design that improves with time. If you study, you will not be left behind. Rather, this could be your edge from other designers.

11. Learn new things.

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Being a designer doesn’t mean that you will focus in designing all the time. Try to discover new things and talents by exploring. You’ll never know, you could be a good guitarists or dancer or whatever. Do not box yourself in just one genre. Look deeper into yourself and you’ll be glad to know that there are other things that you can do well at. This will help boost your confidence.

12. Do some sketching.

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Sketching is a basic thing in design. Try to work on a design by sketching first. Sometimes, you will need to do some sketching to show some designs to a client. You still have to be good at it so that you can present something well. Some designers even sketch their designs before doing it in the computer just to make sure they’ll not forget the idea.

13. Travel.

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Travelling may inspire you since you have seen lots of new things and you have relaxed a lot, too. You will witness different cultures and get to see various artworks that will give you new ideas to work on. This will help you improve your work a lot.

As you can see, it is not really hard to improve your design skills. All you need is the willingness, the effort and the time to do these things. Bear in mind that it is you who will greatly benefit from this improvement. So, give your best and be the best graphic designer!