How to Becoming a Graphic Designer

Become a successful graphic designer

Many of us dedicate ourselves to this job (Graphics Design) by vocation. Many are studying it. Some are thinking about studying it and others do not even think about it. But what does it really take to be a graphic designer? Let's see if we all explain, to all those who are thinking about going through this arduous path, how to become one of this guild, so, at times, rewarding.

According to my point of view to become a graphic designer it is necessary to fulfill the following requirements:

1. Have a Vocation as a Designer: If you do not like this, dedicate yourself to something else. The same could be said of any trade, but I would dare to say that in this case even more insistently since you have to create, and create without taste has to be painful ...

2. Carry out The Corresponding Studies: There are many courses to learn to handle certain programs. Do not be fooled. That is not the way. To be a graphic designer you will have to go to a school or university of art and study advertising graphics there. Formerly this was not necessary, but now. Without the corresponding qualification you will not be considered a graphic designer.

3. Know the Management of Various Types of Software: Programs of illustration and design (Illustrator, Freehand, Corel Draw, etc.) of treatment of images (Photoshop) of editorial layout (Indesign). Software management of scanners, printer drivers, etc. As is evident, it is also essential to handle well in Windows operating systems, Mac OS and increasingly Linux.

4. Have Typing and Typing Knowledge: You have to know fonts and know the differences between their families: Serif, Sans Serif, Script, Italics, decorative, etc. It is also necessary to be agile writing with the computer since in the world of design not only shapes and colors are used. You have to write and a lot.

5. Have Knowledge of Pre-Printing: This is the pre-printing phase (as the name suggests). The designer is responsible for everything going well before putting the work in machines. You have to prepare the final files with cut marks, indented, in CMYK, with the corresponding resolution to print (usually 300 pixels per inch).

6. HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WEB APPLICATION: Today you could say that half is for printing and the other half is for digital formats. You have to know that the screen resolution is 72 pixels per inch, the colors on the monitor are Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). That the full HD is 1920x1080pixels, it is also good to know the different resolutions of the main devices, etc.

7. HAVE A CLIENT: If nobody entrusts you with a job, you will not be able to work, so if you do not work in any company, you will have to do the commercial work. I recommend that you read our article: "The art of selling". It is important that you go collecting the work you are doing and group them in what is called "Portfolio". Publish it on the internet to access a wider audience of customers. "The calm sea does not make good sailors”. Once you enter the guild, you start to create logos for companies, to make posters for concerts or web pages you will begin to realize the reason for your decision since, I would dare to say, 99% of designers are by vocation, and that cannot be said of all professions.

Is the designer market saturated? As a designer I could say yes but as a businessman I say no. We are always looking for new talents, new ideas, freshness and youth. This is what marks the arrival of new trends. If you like the profession, go for it. Yes, try to stand out, read many books, do many tutorials, copy the big ones and you'll end up getting what you propose. Never give the designer profession as known. Ours is a profession in constant evolution. If you fall asleep you will see how the rest surpasses you and then you will have to run twice to reach them. Study the history of design, of artistic trends, work all those styles that had their moment to define yours. Innovate to the extent of your possibilities. "To break the rules first you have to master them".

Graphic designers do not play our lives in our work, we work sitting down and I recognize that we exercise a very rewarding profession. If you like, do not hesitate. Find the nearest art school and enroll, do not stay with those courses of 180hr that will be of little use to you. Take out your title, start designing and reach your goal. And when you become a full-fledged designer ... I hope you keep reading this blog.