How to become a better designer

Friday’s Creative Review for Graphic Designers

I’m constantly asked what do I think are the qualities a graphic designer. What makes a graphic designer a graphic designer?

I think there are 2 categories of designers. The “good” designer and the “thriving” one.

Traits of a good designer

1. Creative & artistic
2. Eye for detail
3. Problem-solver & critical thinker
4. Researcher
5. Good communicator
6. Visual communicator & information architect
7. Knowledgeable of art and design history
8. In-depth knowledge of typography
9. Color theorist
10. Pre-Press technician
11. Able to accept criticism
12. Perceptive. You’ve got to know your clients and their audience…

Traits of a thriving designer

1. Head for business
2. Marketing and promotion principles
3. Management of time and resources
4. Client pleaser / flexible

Call me crazy, but…

The quickest way to become a better graphic designer is to stop thinking of yourself as an “artiste”. You are artistic, but being an artist is a form of self-expression.

Graphic design is NOT about self-expression. It’s about expressing your clients and developing materials that are suited for them and their needs. It’s about knowing their audience and designing for them. It’s not about you, it’s about “them”.

I believe the greatest trait you can have as a designer is to learn to accept criticism. When I first started designing, I would take people’s comments as rejection; that they were saying that I wasn’t a good designer. I took them very badly. But remember: art is subjective. Often, it’s not rejection — it’s a suggestion. Learn to see criticisms as suggestions, you’ll likely learn more from them and grow as a designer.

Technorati Tags: Business, Management

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