Do you have to be really good and talented in order to have a Graphic Design major?
I am thinking of studying Graphic Design but I am not that good at drawing. #graphic-design
3 answers
Cuong’s Answer
Hey Alexandru,
I can safely say, you don't have to be excellent in drawing to be a graphic designer. In fact, you don't necessary need to draw if you focus your skills towards to elements such as typography, color theory, layout, communication, and creativity. With these, you can do many designs without actually drawing, you can do manipulation of photography.
Any jobs in graphic designs require an portfolio to showcase, meaning they want to see how you process and produce your designs. it's similar drawing your concepts if you have skills in drawing. You don't need to draw, if you have like wire frame or simple form of concepts, something that will show your process and drafts.
Mark’s Answer
Hi Alexandru--
A graphic artist is not necessarily an illustrator or artist themselves, but they have the knowledge of color, balance, typography, space, dimension to put together the elements that work to draw in the consumer--whether online or something as simple as a single page of text.
Many times a graphic artist will hire an illustrator or photographer, anyone who can create the element that they need in their design vision.
Like anything in the jobs that require artistic skills, a portfolio that shows off your work will be invaluable. As you apply for work, whether it be for a company or an individual client, you'll be asked to submit samples of your work. This is how your potential employer will determine that, in their eyes, you are "really good and talented" and able to provide what they are looking for.
You'll learn about the basics that you need, and that will help develop your skills and bring out your natural talent. You may find that you are more talented or have an eye in a particular field of design. A graphic artist sees the beauty and the challenge in everything from a giant project with multiple pieces, to a simple page of text--and they can make a a page of text into a beautiful design.
Don't worry about what you can't do, concentrate on what you can 'bring to the party.'
Good luck!
-M
ashley’s Answer
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.