Today we live in a world dominated by visual culture. Most of the information is conveyed through images, infographics, or text that is closely related to them. Visuals have become the best way to maintain a dialogue with clients, which has led to a huge popularization of the profession of a graphic designer. But it is difficult for many beginners to immediately find themselves, to start quickly and effectively studying a specialty online. To solve this problem, we propose to study 6 practical tips.
6 Practical Tips for Beginners to Learn Graphic Design Online
There are so many benefits to learning graphic design online, but the downsides of losing self-control and interest, imposing the idea that nothing will work out, and quick burnout make many drop out almost immediately. It also happens when a person wants to achieve a quick result and picks up a too aggressive pace and sets increased demands on himself. This should not be done, because. there is a risk of dropping the case halfway. Let’s take a look at how to get training in graphic design correctly.
No. 1. Motivation, self-control, and passion
In any business, it is important to understand why you are doing it and whether you need it. If you are confident in your endeavors, this is the first path to self-motivation and success. The main thing is to choose a normalized schedule for obtaining new knowledge and plan the path. With the correct construction of the path, everything will work out, it will be possible to achieve self-control for productive learning, and passion for this business will constantly burn inside.
But some get into graphic design simply because they love it, but they have absolutely no idea if they want to go further. They need to try.
In this case, you need to find the cause yourself, for example:
- distant work;
- change of profession;
- excellent side job;
- obtaining new knowledge;
- improvement of financial situation;
- an attempt to independently complete the tasks of graphic design.
This is a great way to motivate yourself. Further, it will be easier to develop a passion for a new business. It is important to want to get into this profession, because the path is not easy. You will not be able to learn if you spend only a couple of hours a week on classes. Be persistent and give yourself every day to a new and very interesting hobby.
Do not think that you are not talented, graphic design is not about innate skills, but about practice. The more you want to master it, practice, and invest time, the more chances you have to start creating competition for professionals.
No. 2. Inspiration and references
At the stage of learning and work, a graphic designer needs references. It’s a way to find inspiration and ideas. The more a professional has seen, the more valuable he is, because it is easier for him to generate something suitable for the desire of customers and give out several draft ideas at once.
During the educational process, references will help you find yourself in a new profession. Graphic design is a broad concept, made up of many currents, and sooner or later you will only follow one or a few of them. Plus, you can find what you like and try it again.
Searching for references is about: Pinterest, Behance, Google Images (drive in the search – inspiration for the designer), Instagram profiles, or Dribble.
No. 3. Tools and programs
A designer needs to have the right tool for the job. The quality of the screen and its ability to correctly and organically reproduce colors must be on top. Also, in the process of work, you will need a graphics tablet, which will expand the possibilities and allow you to quickly complete the usual tasks. From software, you should choose what is useful for work, depending on the narrow focus of your specialization.
The most popular ones are Illustrator and Photoshop, Inkscape and Gim, Affinity Designer, Adobe InDesign, Canva, etc.
No. 4. Resources and communication
It is important to find good courses to pass the training. You can also use literature, educational sites, or ready-made tutorials on creating a project. All materials will be useful and useful in practice. Use trusted sources to gain knowledge and expand your social circle. Meet other designers, find clubs or cafes where they regularly meet, and don’t be afraid to ask and be interested. Perhaps one of them will offer more thorough help and become your mentor.
No. 5. History of graphic design
One way to fall in love with and be inspired by graphic design is to study its history. This is a great way to expand your horizons and understand how cyclical the whole design is. Watch movies, read books, and listen to podcasts—there are plenty of sources to choose from, and none are better or worse. You can start with The School of Graphic Design, The History of Graphic Design Volume 1 and Volume 2, and 100 Ideas That Changed Graphic Design.
No. 6. Basics: typography, color basics, and terminology
Start your design journey by learning the basics:
- 5 design principles – alignment, repetition, contrast, hierarchy, and balance;
- typography – inscriptions, fonts, layout, and experiment with their use;
- the basics of color – Adobe Color CC will be an excellent assistant both in learning and in practice;
- design ethics – its history and principles;
- design terminology – has more than 100 terms, each of which is necessary for work.
After learning the basics, it’s time to decide on one of the directions in graphic design to continue delving into it. If you spray all of them at once, you will not be able to become a real professional. First, understand one thing, and then expand your capabilities. Graphic design can be divided into branding, product design, marketing design, digital design, and font design. There are even more narrowly focused directions, but first, choose one of the presented ones.
Conclusion
The advantage of self-study in graphic design is the ability to independently adjust the pace and rhythm of acquiring knowledge. First, it is important to tune in to the result, find the reasons why you want to continue, and constantly feed your inner passion. Then you need to choose the tools and resources for learning and working. Start from the very basics, gradually developing in a new direction. Do not be afraid to ask for help from your future and more experienced colleagues, find friends or mentors among them. But most importantly, practice as much as possible and put the work on the table, over time they will come in handy.
