How to become a designer

How to become a graphic designer

I got my work as a designer without drawing school. For 6 months I worked with the education of my own design while full-time employment into account. Do not think that was right, but at least I applied for the job. And I got a good job, Exec.

To be clear, you are not as good as maker’s miracles coming from education for 4 years at elite schools such as RISD. But I'm sure it's good enough to work well. I am the only Exec designer, so I very wide variety of things - visual design and interface, printing, web design, and mobile app.

Perhaps you want to change careers and become a full-time designer.

Or you want to learn basic principles for startup or your or other projects.

This is a guide to learning your design.

Update: I announce this blog a year ago. Since then, I've asked hundreds of emails to ask for more instructions and easier access, and finally, I found one: Design lab. This course was not present when I learned, but I wanted to be a man - it would be a whole lot less process. What I like to love is to give you design responsibilities and you mentor the constructor who gives you feedback (they really work on Facebook).

Step 1. Learn to see

The biggest mistake is a quick transition to Photoshop. Photoshop's learning does not make you a designer, just as buying artistic pins does not make you an artist. Start with the fundamentals.

First, you need to learn to leave.

You do not have to sit in a room with a band of other artists trying to pull a nasty woman.

You do not even have to get a good picture. Just learn basic forms so you can be comfortable by skating with a pen.

You only have to do one thing to learn: you get a book that you can draw in 30 days and talk every hour of every month. I saw many drawings and that is one of the best.

Learn the theory of graphic design

Start with the book Picture of this. This is the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but at the same time, you learn the basis of graphic design.

Learn about color, typography, and network design. If you find a local class that learns the basis of graphic design, take it.

Take a few of these tutorials every day.

There are some basic principles in the user experience

There are many books on user experience. Start with these two quick readings that will reach the right mindset:

Design of daily items

Do not think of me!

Learn how to write

An open sign of an erroneous design: Lorem Ipsum is full of filth. A good designer builds up a good communication. Thinking through a good designer experience, carefully select each word. Write to people. Do not write yourself in the academic tone you use to make a good note in school documents.

Read and paste one of my favorite books of all time. It teaches you to learn graphically.

Sound and Tone is a website that is filled with beautiful writing patterns.

Step 2. Learn how to use Photoshop and Illustrator

Long live! Now there is a very solid foundation - both visionary and UX. You are ready to learn Photoshop. In fact, I recommend that you first start with Illustrator and then Photoshop. Illustrator is used by designers to create logos and symbols.

Learn about Illustrator

There is a ton book, online training, and classroom to teach Illustrator. Choose the style that works best for you. I find it very useful to learn the basic principles of Illustrator:

Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book - It's great, but if you get the lowest, you know the Illustrator Cup well.

Vector Basic Training - This book teaches how Illustrator really works.

Now for wonderful things! Follow these online instructions and regret what you can do. Here's a landscape and picturesque landscape - I have two favorites.

Learn about Photoshop

There is a million and one handbook. Many of them are shit. Fortunately, there are really high-quality practice venues. TutsPlus by PSDTuts is one of them.

Here is an iPhone app for a good Photoshop instruction.

There is another good Photoshop instructor to create a website mockup.

Swipe to practice for a few hours a couple of hours, and imagine how fast your promotion is.

Graphic Designing Tools