{1} Look outside of design for inspiration
Other visual disciplines can
offer a new perspective. Instead of only looking in our specific field, go
to photography exhibitions, fashion shows, old movies and look at what excites
you. This will help you to avoid simply copying whatever is already being done
(because if you do so, whatever you make runs the risk of being old-fashioned
by the time you're finished).
{2} Form follow function
Before you begin designing
anything, learn as much as you can about who the design is for (or targeted
towards), what it is intended to do, what it is meant to
convey, and how it will be manufactured/produced. Consider
treating the design like a person, and ask what the person's favorite film,
color, or magazine is. The design will be shaped by these answers and the
more you know, the easier it will be to get started.
{3} Save versions, save layers
As you work and revise your
designs, remember to keep the various layers and early iterations, even if you
have 10 versions in one day. That way, if you make a mistake or change
something drastically later, you can go back to it. At the end of a project,
you can get rid of these old files and clean up your files (good practice so
that you can easily find things later). However, you might also find that one
of those early versions of the design make a good basis for a different
project, so if you have the memory, stash those early files for a little while.
{4} Simplify
Have a reason for every
design element. Use as few typefaces, lines, shapes, frames, colors, even case
(i.e. upper and lower), as possible. This doesn't always mean going for a
minimal approach, it just means understanding what everything you're doing is
conveying. In a ridiculous number of projects, three colors are all you'll ever
need, and two of them are already chosen (black and white), so you usually only
need to find one color. In business, that color is usually blue or red.
{5} Use a grid
Be aware of how every element
relates to every other element. Grids are obviously essential when you're
laying out a book, magazine, or web page, but there is also an invisible grid
of alignment linking every visual element around us. When you break the grid
and allow elements to tilt or straddle two columns, do it aggressively so that
it is clear that it is a conscious choice.
{6} Make mistakes
Allow yourself to try things out, see what works that you didn't
expect to work, give your eyes new things to look at in your own work. If you
do like your mistakes, then make it a big enough "mistake" that it is
clear that you did it on purpose. E.g. If you use a broken line, break it
repeatedly. If you angle an image, make it more than 5ยบ, if your colors clash,
make them clash a LOT, etc.
{7} Brainstorm
Discuss and share your
initial designs. Even if you don't use any of their input, simply talking about
the options and explaining your work will spark new directions for you. Know
your own feelings about the design and be clear with yourself about what works
for you and what doesn't. You don't need to argue about the work, you can just
take on their input and use what is helpful to you.
{8} Don't strecth a font
Typeface design is a very
skilled, time-consuming job, so you don't want to break them. If you want a
headline to be taller and thinner, look for the condensed version of a font (or
conversely, the expanded version for wider looks). While you may not think that
anyone can see when the weight of a descender is out-of-balance, everyone can
see it. They might not know what they see that makes the design look cheap and
untrustworthy, but on a subliminal level, they see it.
{9} Track your time
Simply write down how much
time you spend on each project each day. Be aware of how long it takes you to
design something, even if you're not charging anyone by the hour. Knowing what
you're capable of will help you in the future, when you're choosing what kind
of project to focus on, what kind of work to look for, how to get the most out
of your skillset, and where you need to strengthen your focus.
{10} Share knowledge
Nearly everything I learned, I learned from working with
friends and colleagues. We didn't even necessarily on projects together, but
sometimes just because they recommended a website or a book, or simply from
working in the same room together and talking about how we do things. It could
be as basic as learning a keyboard shortcut to do something (which,
incidentally, you should try to learn now because it will save your wrists in
the future, as will learning to get comfortable with using a mouse with your
left hand - another thing a colleague suggested), or as big as learning about a
new design style which could transform your career. Go to free classes, talks,
etc, and read about design for fun. Get books out of the library, put up
posters, keep packaging, immerse yourself in designs you like and let them
become part of your life.
http://soyabean.com/blog/2013/2/12/some-basic-rules-for-graphic-designers?utm_source=CMblog&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=stayingcreative
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