Being a graphic designer can be a Helvetica of a good time! But without cheesy puns, it takes time, practice, and good intuition to make it to the top. Even though it sounds simple to some, professional graphic design involves technology, psychology, and art.
People mistakenly think that you must be good at art to be a graphic designer. Even though it surely helps, you can learn this discipline with enough motivation. Without further ado, let’s dive into the best practices every professional graphic designer should follow.
1. KISS Principle
“Keep it simple, stupid” is a design principle first noted in the U.S. Navy in the ’60s. Currently, it is used in software development, film animation, graphic design, and more.
The principle states that simple systems are more efficient compared to more complex ones. What does that mean for graphic design? It means that your color pallet should be simple, and you shouldn’t overstuff the screen with unnecessary elements. As simple as it sounds, there are two KISS challenges.
Firstly, you will be tempted to use the tools at your disposal. You’ve been in graphical design for a long time and want to flex your muscles. Resist the urge to use everything you know and stick to your design plan. Limit the colors to 2-3 and avoid using too many fonts. As you will see from the following tip, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge.
Second, some clients think a simplistic design is not worth the money and you should include many more elements. Even though your job is to adhere to client’s needs, as a professional graphic designer, you must find a way to communicate the best practices.
2. Make Three Graphic Design Choices
Your clients will adore you if you provide them with three different professional graphic design choices. Because design involves subjective perception, it’s hard to tell whether one option is better than another without a direct comparison.
Moreover, this is where you get to show your mastery. You can use three different styles for each option and put all your experience to good use. Moreover, the clients will see you stepping the extra mile, so it’s really a win-win situation.
3. Contrasting Font Trick
Unlike colors, which are rarely used in contrast, the contrasting font has an interesting effect. Your job is to draw the spectator’s attention and convey the message. Two different fonts convey a different message and make the text stand out from the rest elements. But pictures describe it better than words, so check out these sketches.
4. Graphic Design is Communication
It’s best to remember that graphic design is about communicating with the viewer. You are not only visualizing information, but you are also conveying specific messages. As perfect as they are, some design options will do no good if they do not correlate with the represented brand.
5. Represent Your Brand
When working with a specific brand, dive deep into its intricacies. Know their values, virtues, specific communication styles, and audience. It will give you a better understanding of how to make your design attractive and engaging. In the end, understanding the brand will help you choose even the color palette.
6. Don’t Forget the Software
The contemporary reality is changing so fast that each professional graphic designer must feel comfortable around the software. New graphic design tools open new possibilities and more original design options. Moreover, your skills will always be in demand if you are hasty at learning new software.
7. Cybersecurity Software
Believe it or not, there are specific cyber risks related to graphic designers, especially if you’re a freelancer. Brands tend to keep their unique design options secret, and if you expose this data to cybercriminals, the consequences can be dire.
It would be best if you were particularly mindful of Cloud storage safety. It should encrypt your information to keep your files safe and provide automatic data backup solutions in case of server failure.
Taking care of your passwords is just as important. Avoid using easy-to-guess ones, and never use the same password twice. Even better, subscribe to a reliable password manager and use multi-factor authentication for business-related accounts. It will repent most hackers who do not expect designers to be well-versed in cybersecurity.
Conclusions
The more you study graphic design, the more there is to know. If you can master specific technology and combine it with human psychology knowledge, your designs will attract the eye, convey the message, and your logos will be unforgettable. However, never forget the KISS principle and the fact that simplistic design works best on the Internet.
