Whether you are new to working in graphic design or have experience in the field, keeping your skills sharp and up-to-date is essential for any creative professional. With The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipating nearly 250,000 graphic design openings each year through 2030, it’s clear how important it is for Graphic Designers to keep their skills sharp and stand out from other designers. Graphic Designers need a combination of soft and technical skills to excel in their career roles, along with a general understanding of the industry. This article will discuss some of the most helpful tips for improving graphic design skills and sparking creativity.
Join an Online Community
One way creative professionals can boost their graphic design skills is by joining an online community. Communicating and collaborating with other designers provides an opportunity to receive feedback on work while staying current with any trends in the industry. Networking with others is also great for building clientele and gaining exposure within the field. There are a variety of different platforms available for graphic designers, with Dribbble and Behance being among the most popular online design communities.
Enter a Design Competition
If you are looking for a way to boost your creativity and improve your design skills, you should consider entering a graphic design competition. This allows an opportunity to work on a personal project, gain valuable feedback on design style, and build portfolio content. While design competitions are not for everyone, they can help new designers to build confidence and gain experience working with deadlines. The Adobe Design Achievement Awards target those who are new to the industry and want to build their portfolio and earn recognition for their work.
Take Continuing Education Classes
Once you start working as a Graphic Designer, it can be helpful to take some form of continuing education classes once or twice per year. With how fast technology and software processes change, it’s crucial that designers stay up-to-date with trends in the industry. There are a variety of graphic design classes available that teach a wide range of relevant topics. Courses like Photoshop In a Day provide a fast way to refresh your software skills and learn new processes.
Experiment with Templates
An often overlooked way designers can work to strengthen their skills is by experimenting with templates. Whether you are new to the field and want to practice working with different design elements or need a way to break out of a creative block, templates are a convenient resource for any creative professional. There are countless sites that offer free templates for designers, but Adobe Stock and Canva tend to stand out from other options.
Reach Out to a Mentor
Another way Graphic Designers can improve their skills is by reaching out to a mentor who can help give insight and solve problems. This can be especially helpful if you are new to working in design or want to discover new opportunities in the field. Designers should work with organizations like AIGA to connect with potential mentors. Many graphic design freelancers feel they have to work independently when collaborating ideas with others is actually an excellent way to learn new techniques and gain valuable feedback.
Work on Personal Projects
While balancing client requests and any professional responsibilities can be challenging, working on personal projects is great for building skills and sparking creativity. This is a no-pressure way to find your specific niche in the field and create content for your portfolio that showcases your unique design style. It can be helpful to set aside a dedicated time each week to take time from your professional work and give attention to any personal projects.
Apply for Internships
Internships are an excellent opportunity for those who are new to graphic design and those who have experience working in a creative role. Designers can strengthen their skills during an internship by working on new projects, networking with like-minded professionals, and conquering challenging tasks.
It’s common for new designer interns to work with an in-house designer to better understand standard practices within the industry. Working in a professional environment is also an excellent way to learn project time management and how to communicate with clients. There are internship openings listed on the AIGA Design job board, as well as opportunities from well-known companies like The New York Times.
Research Design Trends
With graphic design trends changing each year, it’s important to research and stay up-to-date with trends in the field. Working on daily tasks in a graphic design role is great for design skills, but it can be hard to stay updated if you aren’t actively researching outside sources. Many designers join an online community or subscribe to blogs that provide valuable news and relevant information.
Check Out Blogs and Magazines
Building off the last tip to research design trends, subscribing to graphic design blogs and magazines is an engaging way to strengthen your skill set. There are countless different blogs and magazines dedicated to different areas of graphic design, which is great for artists that work with a specific niche. The Adobe Creative Cloud Express Blog is a popular blog for designers that want to learn new skills and gain insight on branding techniques. For those who prefer print options, Communication Arts is a magazine covering nearly all forms of visual communication.
Regardless of how long a Graphic Designer has worked in the field, there is always an opportunity to strengthen their skills and learn new techniques. Live online graphic design classes are a convenient option for those who need flexibility and want to learn remotely. With these immersive courses, there is no need to commute through traffic or schedule time away from work.
For those who are looking for extensive training, bootcamp classes may be a good fit. Many people looking to make a career switch into graphic design often choose bootcamp courses for the in-depth curriculum offered. If you are ready to get started with your classes, try searching for graphic design bootcamps in your area.