Simple Tips of a Better Graphic Design: From Concept to Completion by Aubrey @ Content Camp Fire
You need no introduction to the seven basic elements of good graphic design – line, color, texture, size, shape, space and value. They are, after all, the lifeblood of your work. Like an expert chef, you’ve been turning the mundane into singular works of art for years. As seen on BoredPanda and BuzzFeed, a website named sharpsuits.net have taken design to a whole new level, turning client criticisms into a full-blown funny yet beautiful art.
Despite your success, you still feel like there’s room for improvement. Can it be better, you keep asking yourself. You’re looking for inspiration to shake up your perspective. Here are some tips – essentially the distilled wisdom of many other graphics professionals – that may help.
Tip 1: Get Messy
The natural instinct of most graphics designer is to create order from the mess of lines, textures, shapes and colors that serve as the raw material in this space. However, that instinct – and the conventionality that it encapsulates – may very well be the reason you’re stuck in a creative rut. Some artists usually switch to different styles to get that taste they want for their work. So, instead of creating order from mess, how about fashioning an eye-catching mess? If you go down this route, though, ensure the end result makes sense to your client and the audience for which it is meant.
Tip 2: Practice
In the graphics design world, there is a tendency to view practice as something that is meant purely for novices. This is unfortunate, as practice isn’t simply about honing your skills, but also about trying out ideas that aren’t ready for the prime time without having to worry about what anyone else thinks. That’s why you need to draw and sketch whatever that comes into mind.
Practice as an end in itself can help you overcome some psychological inhibitions that hinder creativity – and in the process, you may get ideas worth incorporating into your next project.
Tip 3: Take a Break
You’ve probably experienced this many times; you’re taking a walk or a shower, and an idea or a solution to a problem that has been vexing you pops into your head, seemingly out of the blue. These mind-pops, as they are referred to in research literature, have been shown to boost creativity and hasten problem solving. They often happen when people are relaxing or doing something unrelated to the task at hand. If you’re struggling to better your designs, taking a break – or a walk – rather than endlessly mulling over the problem may help you arrive at a solution much faster.
Tip 4: Note It Down
The best ideas may not always come to you when you’re behind your computer. For this reason, carry a notebook, or install a note-taking or sketch app on a portable device so that you can keep a record of your musings. Popular apps you can use for this purpose include Adobe Photoshop Sketch, Adobe Illustrator Draw and Inspire Pro. If you’d prefer something more robust, go for apps such as Autodesk Sketchbook and Affinity Designer.
Summary
Get messy when that works for you, your client and the target audience. Try out ideas, for the sake of it, to get over any hang-ups that may be impairing your creative flow. Take a break from work if you’re stuck; counterintuitive as it may sound, that may be the fastest way of finding a solution. Carry a notebook or its virtual equivalent to record any good ideas you get while you’re out and about. Most of all, enjoy yourself. All the best!
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This is a guest written article. To learn more about Aubrey or her work with Content Camp Fire please visit them at www.contentcampfire.com
Disclaimer: The tips and views in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Purple Rose Graphics.