You don’t need a professional degree or certificate to learn how to design, everything you need is right here on the internet! With enough time, effort and determination you too can start creating your very own designs.
1. Motivation and Inspiration
If you’re reading this article then I suppose you’ve already mustered up the motivation to start your research. Good, now you need to find out how to keep it. For this, you need to look at all the illustrations around you, try to figure out the elements of the art work and how the colours and art styles have been incorporated with each other. If you look at a design you like, try to recreate it or gather inspiration from it and try to create something similar to it. The more digital art works you look at, the more you’ll learn about the different styles and find your own
2. Sketch
When you’ve finally decided that you want to learn more about graphic design, my advice would be to not start with the softwares immediately because it can all be very overwhelming. The first step to every great design is always the sketch. Sketch out your design, it won’t look that great at first but with practice you’ll be able to create a great sketch which can later help you create your digital image. Start by trying to sketch out logos you’ve already seen many times and know them very well, but put your own little twist to it, for example the Coca Cola logo, or the Burger King logo etc. This concept of graphic designing is called redesigning a brand. And it’s great for beginner level practice because all the information about these brands are available at your fingertips.
3.Research Softwares
Now there are many graphic designing softwares available, some are free and some are not. You need to understand which software can cater to your needs the best. For that you’re going to need to do your research. A quick google search can easily give you a list of all the available softwares. A few names that can get you started with your research are:
- Inkscape: Free, good for beginner level designers, easy to learn.
- Adobe Illustrator CC: Monthly subscription required, can create advanced vector images, takes time to learn.
- Adobe Photoshop CC: Monthly subscription required, advanced level image manipulation features, takes time to learn.
- Autodesk Sketchbook: Free, drawing and painting software, easy to learn
- Procreate: Paid, powerful illustration app but only available for iOS.
4. Watch Tutorials
The first thing you need to know about designing is there is a vast array of free courses and video tutorials online that you can learn from. A formal degree is not necessary to be a good designer, you just need to figure out how to best use the resources you have. A few great courses and youtube channels that can help you get started:
5.Resources
Tutorials and courses are not the only resources a designer needs, you need to learn how to build a portfolio as well as showcase your talents in order to start earning from your designs. Thankfully there are a few websites that have been made just for this purpose. On these websites you can showcase your talents, interact with clients, look at other designers and find inspiration. A few of these websites are:
6. Practice
Last but not least, you need to practice, practice and then practice some more. It’s not easy and it doesn’t happen in one night. If you really want to succeed as a designer you’ll need to be determined and practice as much as possible. There’s no end to learning in this field. There’s a new type of art work everyday. Learn to use each and every tool available to get the most out of your skills. Look at other designers and try to learn from them, try to do a few free designs at first to learn how to work with other people then slowly get started on your designing career.
Now that you know what to begin with, what are you waiting for? Get started today! Create amazing sketches, unique designs and showcase your skills to the whole world all from your home. Good luck!
