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What do I need in order to be a graphic designer?
I want to know the necessities in order to be a graphic designer because I am a really creative person. #graphic-design
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Alwyn’s Answer
As a former graphic designer. You need to learn the basics of color theory, typography, and layout.
In addition, learn as much software as you can (InDesign, Illustrator and the powerhouse that is Photoshop are a must). Learn as many of the Adobe Creative Cloud applications you can. Software does not a designer make.
Take business courses that will be invaluable as a designer in a firm, if do freelance work or start an independent freelance business.
Go to seminars, take courses with a creative focus, be a thinker, work to be innovative, always act professional, strive to be a perfectionist and NEVER, NEVER give your work for free or cheap as that is a disservice to you and to all other designers - undercutting the value of creative work.
In addition, learn as much software as you can (InDesign, Illustrator and the powerhouse that is Photoshop are a must). Learn as many of the Adobe Creative Cloud applications you can. Software does not a designer make.
Take business courses that will be invaluable as a designer in a firm, if do freelance work or start an independent freelance business.
Go to seminars, take courses with a creative focus, be a thinker, work to be innovative, always act professional, strive to be a perfectionist and NEVER, NEVER give your work for free or cheap as that is a disservice to you and to all other designers - undercutting the value of creative work.
Updated
ashley’s Answer
Before I respond, I want to provide context: I went to college for digital media, which focused heavily on graphic design and web design. The first 10+ years of my career, I would have described myself as a graphic designer. Much of my job was graphic design related, and even once I got into management, I was still overseeing major design projects.
Today, nearly 20 years since I graduated college, I would not advise anyone to go to school in order to be "a graphic designer". I would rather suggest that you learn the foundations of design (everything the above commenters mentioned: color theory, rule of thirds, typography rules, ins and outs of why things that look good look good and why things that look bad look bad. Understand it, be able to do it... and then leverage AI to do it more efficiently. Become proficient in the Adobe Suite and all of their AI functionality, even if you dont WANT to. Yes, there is pride in being able to do things ourselves -- and when we're working on personal projects or have an unlimited amount of time/money, that's great -- but in the fast-paced hustle of entrepreneurship or corporate life, you're gonna need to be fast and you're gonna need to use the AI tools in your toolbox.
Also, arm yourself with knowledge beyond 'graphic design'. Become a one-stop-shop, a Jack/Jane of all trades, a renaissance wo/man -- someone who can not just design the website but build it, someone who can not just design the logo but animate it, someone who can not just execute the work order but strategize with the client about their needs. Our jobs/roles will change dramatically over the next decades thanks to AI, and that means instead of very specialized roles/jobs, we will all need to have a broader range of skills. Graphic design, video editing, animation, web design, etc.
Also understanding how/why graphic design is used -- its not just about making things pretty. It's about communicating information effectively and creating a positive user experience (whether that experience is navigating a website, using a banking app, following signage in an IKEA, or reading a long-form article in a magazine). Graphic design is EVERYWHERE -- billboards, street signs, real estate benches, posters, tickets, literally ANYTHING you see or touch that has text and graphics had to be designed. So broaden your scope of understanding of what this area includes and learn as many tangential skills as you can.
Today, nearly 20 years since I graduated college, I would not advise anyone to go to school in order to be "a graphic designer". I would rather suggest that you learn the foundations of design (everything the above commenters mentioned: color theory, rule of thirds, typography rules, ins and outs of why things that look good look good and why things that look bad look bad. Understand it, be able to do it... and then leverage AI to do it more efficiently. Become proficient in the Adobe Suite and all of their AI functionality, even if you dont WANT to. Yes, there is pride in being able to do things ourselves -- and when we're working on personal projects or have an unlimited amount of time/money, that's great -- but in the fast-paced hustle of entrepreneurship or corporate life, you're gonna need to be fast and you're gonna need to use the AI tools in your toolbox.
Also, arm yourself with knowledge beyond 'graphic design'. Become a one-stop-shop, a Jack/Jane of all trades, a renaissance wo/man -- someone who can not just design the website but build it, someone who can not just design the logo but animate it, someone who can not just execute the work order but strategize with the client about their needs. Our jobs/roles will change dramatically over the next decades thanks to AI, and that means instead of very specialized roles/jobs, we will all need to have a broader range of skills. Graphic design, video editing, animation, web design, etc.
Also understanding how/why graphic design is used -- its not just about making things pretty. It's about communicating information effectively and creating a positive user experience (whether that experience is navigating a website, using a banking app, following signage in an IKEA, or reading a long-form article in a magazine). Graphic design is EVERYWHERE -- billboards, street signs, real estate benches, posters, tickets, literally ANYTHING you see or touch that has text and graphics had to be designed. So broaden your scope of understanding of what this area includes and learn as many tangential skills as you can.
Updated
Cuong’s Answer
The first steps in becoming a graphic designer are learning layout, color theory, typography, and knowing what's the current trend in the design world each year.
Secondly, learn the Adobe Creative Suite programs. That is your bread and butter but it requires your hands.
You could learn and research what kind of designer you would like to be, there are different kinds of designers out there. You need to figure out which area you want to focus on and what you may continue to do in the future.