6 Characteristics of the Successful Designer!

1. THICK SKIN

You need to have thick skin if you’re going to be a successful designer. If you don’t have it, that’s okay. It’s something that can be developed. Criticism helps me grow as a designer. What I mean by this is, if someone (be it a client, another designer, or someone else) criticises your work, you’ll be much better off if you learn to handle it and take the positives from the criticism (as opposed to putting up your guard and claiming that they “just don’t get it”). But how do you develop thick skin?

The successful designer needs to be able to separate themselves from their work - this will lessen the impact of criticism. Clients won’t always be happy with the first draft – it doesn’t matter if you stayed up all night, sketched it out in your own blood and incorporated 15 different sub-meanings. Sometimes a client will tell you they don’t like a design, and that’s when you need to be able to separate yourself from your work, put on your thick skin, and forge ahead. People aren’t criticising to tell you you’re a worthless hack – they’re expressing an opinion about a medium that is largely subjective. In fact - they might be right, and they have fresh eyes for the design you spent 8 hours straight on. So don’t take offence, apply it if it’s worthwhile, and continue working on the project. It will probably turn out better than the first draft!

2. BRUTAL SELF-HONESTY

If you want to consistently put out quality work and progress as a designer, you need to be brutally honest with yourself. People have an inherent ability to justify their decisions don’t fall into this trap. At repeated points throughout the design process, ask yourself questions. Hard questions. Is this the best I can do for this project? Is this actually meeting the needs of the client, or am I just telling myself this because I’m frustrated? Is Gotham the best typeface for this client, or am I just being lazy and not pushing the boundaries?

As well, ask yourself brutally tough questions about your skills & your career progression. Am I actually the CSS Guru I tell myself I am? Or am I coasting by on what I already know? When I tell people I’m focusing solely on print design because I find it more rewarding, is that actually true? Or am I scared to branch out?

These are just examples – the depth and scope of the questions will always vary – but brutally self-honest questions like these pave the path to understanding yourself better. When you understand yourself better, you’re one step closer to becoming a successful designer.

3. LOGICAL THINKING

Much has been made of thinking logically, approaching each project with the end user in mind, designing a logo that is versatile. Thinking logically is a huge gap between average designers and great designers. For example, a logo will be used at various sizes from large to small. It would be illogical to design a raster-based logo in Photoshop, because raster-based images cannot be upsized without a loss of quality. Thus, use a vector-based program to make your logos, like Adobe Illustrator.

Thinking logically leads to solid design and career decisions - and it is a stepping stone to a successful design career.

4. GREAT COMMUNICATION

Great communication plays a huge role in the success of your career as a designer. To put it simply, you need to be able to speak plainly about your design choices - why you chose them, and why they work. If you make your design decisions logically, you will be able to communicate why they work to your client. If you’re brutally self-honest during the design process, you will be confident about your decisions - which will help when convincing your client that your design choice is the right one for their business.

To be a great communicator, you have to use words that mean something. Sounds obvious, I know, but you’d be surprised. Most designers “just know” when their design “works”. Being able to articulate why it works is part of what separates good designers from great. For example, say you chose Garamond as the primary typeface for a client’s logo design. Did you choose it because “it looks cool”? Or did you choose it because the client wants to portray her business as traditional/elegant, and will be publishing a variety of print pieces that need to have high legibility as well?

Finally, great communication can be the tipping point in you landing a client and your competitor landing that client. Put yourself in the shoes of your potential client: would you rather put your hard-earned money in the hands of a designer who promises that your logo design will “look totally great”, or in the hands of a designer who promises your logo will “reflect the image you want for your business”?

5. STRONG WORK ETHIC

So, by now, you’re a Creative Suite whiz who knows their design rules & design history. You’re a good, if not great, communicator who makes design decisions honestly & logically. You can take criticism and apply it. So you’re pretty much destined to be the next Sagmeister, right?

Nope. Not if you get up at noon, get in a quick round of Call of Duty, troll YouTube for a while, finally answer a client email at 4pm and then start to make your dinner. This is an extreme example, of course, but the point is the same: if you want to be successful at what you do, you need to work hard at it. Really hard. Ridiculously hard. Seriously, though, if you want to be a successful designer, you need to put in the time. And be brutally honest with yourself again - when you decide to pack it in at 3pm because you “worked like crazy” all day, did you actually work like crazy? Or are you just justifying your reasoning for quitting an hour and a half early?

I’m not saying you have to work 12 hour days every day. But be disciplined. Stick to work during working hours. If you’re a freelancer in a slow period, perhaps try building up some passive income. Or maybe it’s time to learn a new skill. Regardless of the specifics, it boils down to this: the harder you work, the better chance you have at being a successful designer.

6. CONFIDENCE

If you are lacking in confidence, your clients will lack confidence in you. Simple but true - clients can see a lack of confidence like that kid could see dead people in The 6th Sense. The answer to this? Don’t try to fake confidence. Build confidence. Build confidence by asking for criticism (while having thick skin!), thinking logically about your design decisions, being brutally honest with yourself about your design decisions, working really hard, and developing great communication skills.

If you do all these things, you will be confident. Your clients will notice, and they will tell their clients and their friends. Then you will woo them with your confidence (not cockiness though!). And you, my friend, will be a successful designer.

I found this blog a while ago and have to share it with anyone who reads my site as it is so true. Being freelance is tough but definitely worth it.

Many thanks to Jeff Archibald : https://paper-leaf.com/blog/2009/09/6-characteristics-of-the-successful-designer/

6 Brands that use Illustration to Stand Out Online

For so many brands with an online presence, it can be easy to overlook the importance of imagery when it comes to developing their voices and identities.

Too often companies opt for generic corporate photography and stock imagery, and while these images have a valuable place in some industries, they can make your brand look disingenuous, indifferent or just plain boring if used too frequently and without much consideration.

It’s equally important not to rely solely on copy as a means of conveying a message. After all, users only read an average of 20% of any given webpage. Therefore, the images used on such a page will need to do most of the talking.

The internet is now such a busy and competitive space that it has become crucial for brands to make an impactful and memorable impression on potential customers. Incorporating illustration into your branding is one way to do that.

In this article, we’ll delve into some of the brands distinguishing themselves from the competition with illustrative content and explore why this imagery works so well.

1. Etsy

Ecommerce brand Etsy uses brand colours throughout its illustrative content to tie in with its logo. The rustic tones of orange reflect the handmade nature of the products made by independent artists and businesses listed on its website.

I was captivated by Etsy’s quirky illustrative style, which incorporates a combination of different shapes, characters and objects to imitate the unique qualities of the items for sale on the platform. The overall effect is contemplative and friendly, emphasising to the user that Etsy is a safe and trusted place for creatives to sell their work online.
On the brand’s social channels, posts are reserved for showcasing stand-out products and sellers rather than illustrative content.

2. Slack

Team collaboration tool Slack uses bold colour without restraint, resulting in  illustrative content that’s engaging and memorable from the moment you land on its homepage.

I particularly like the inclusion of characters within a scene, and I find myself taking more time to explore the images and their relation to the copy beside them. An occasional angular layout adds movement to the images and, in turn, emphasises the dynamic environment in which the software was designed to be used.

A slightly different illustrative style has been adopted on Slack’s social channels, but the colouring and use of the company logo ties it back to the overall brand identity nicely.

3. Mailchimp

You won’t miss Mailchimp‘s illustrations in a hurry; partly due to the incredibly bright shade of yellow they have adopted, and partly due to the quirky, hand-drawn nature of the images themselves.

The energetic, sketchy style encapsulates an impression of speed, which goes hand-in-hand with the brand’s mission to make email marketing as quick and easy as possible for its subscribers.

It is clear to see that Mailchimp have made a huge effort to carry this styling through to their other marketing channels, which gives the brand a consistent voice.

4. Asana

Work management platform Asana includes an illustrated ‘tour’ feature, as well as a number of spot illustrations and animations elsewhere on its website. Predominantly constructed using simple shapes and a limited palette of a few brand colours, these illustrations are easy to understand and help to represent the basics of each topic.

The simplicity of the imagery here reinforces that the platform itself is as simple to use as it is to learn about.

While Asana uses a softer approach with the illustrations on its website, images that are posted on its social channels are made to stand out with the addition of black outlining. This serves to differentiate the style used on each of Asana’s channels without altering any other part of their design or character templates.

5. Salesforce

If you’re looking for full-screen illustration with an impact, look no further than the Salesforce website. Each of their featured products comes with its own unique landscape background, complete with Salesforce mascots participating in activities related to that topic.

The bright colours and sense of depth make the website especially memorable, and the placement of information has been well thought-out so as to strike a balance between these elements.

The product pages are designed as entry points leading to further, more complex information, which explains the dominance of imagery over copy at this point in the customer journey. Had this design been carried throughout the entire website, it would be overwhelming, particularly for users with accessibility needs.

On Salesforce’s social channels, illustrated landscapes are ever-present – if less  focal – leaving room for other visual elements such as copy, CTAs and photography.

6. Headspace

I really enjoy the styling of Headspace‘s illustrations, particularly the inclusion of little characters and the simple orange and blue colour scheme. The focus on the characters’ wide smiles combined with plenty of rounded shapes gives the brand the friendly and encouraging feel aligned with their positive tone of voice.

I particularly like the way that each character has its own individual appearance, reinforcing the idea that Headspace is an app that can be used by anyone and everyone to achieve a sense of mindfulness.

I was also impressed with the consistency of style across their social channels, mixed with some photographic content to back up more tangible topics.

Blog courtesy of https://econsultancy.com/brands-illustration-stand-out-creative-design/

Qualities of a Great Graphic Designer

I have just created this graphic but I quite like it maybe for a rebrand one day...

What makes a great designer? Is there some secret formula? Where is that sweet 5-step process to becoming a killer designer? Well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no such formula. However, when I study and watch successful designers, I see common qualities. Working at a creative agency has proven to me that there are eight qualities of a great graphic designer.

A great designer is…

1. Always Learning

Who likes to be told how to do something better than or different from the way we were taught? Usually, we start to short-circuit and lose our cool. But what if they’re right? What if that Photoshop trick saves you three hours of production time?

Many great designers started out very humble. They became sponges and took it all in. They took notes and tried new things. They were receptive and grew because they listened to the people around them. There wasn’t an attitude of pride or arrogance, but a conscious decision to be humble, to be teachable.

2. Able to Take Criticism

When I was in college, like many art students, I had to sit through critiques. My professor would group us all together around our lovely design work and just go to town on what was right and wrong about every single design. Then, she would open up the floor for all of us to chime in on each other’s work. You know what happened? (insert cricket noise here) Silence. I mean it…dead silence. No one wanted to give any kind of criticism! I was just as petrified to speak up as the next guy. It was bad enough taking in all the criticism; why in the world would I want to dish it out?

Criticism is a tricky thing. As a designer, we must learn that when our work is under criticism there’s no need to take it personally. There’s no reason to get defensive and make up lame excuses. Be receptive and open-minded.

3. Constantly Looking for Inspiration

How do you start your day? We all have our rituals. One of the things I do as soon as I get to work is visit three to five websites full of design inspiration. Rarely have I met a talented designer that does not practice the same habit. You must be exposed to what’s going on in the design world. I’m constantly looking at what is getting noticed and talked about in the design world so that I can apply the same professionalism to my work. I can also keep an eye on what the current design trends are and where they are going. Keeping a pool of design inspiration has also proven helpful. When I start a project, I can go back to it and find inspiring design work that I’ve saved to help kick start my creative process. 

4. Out of the Comfort Zone

Ask any successful designer and they’ll tell you they were willing to learn and explore new design tricks. It’s hard! I get that. However, how will a designer ever grow or learn if they’re never pushed beyond their limits? Almost every day, I am confronted with a design problem and I think to myself, “OK, they never taught me this in school, what in the world am I supposed to do?”

FEAR CAN GET THE BEST OF US. IT CAN CRIPPLE US. GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, LEARN AND THEN JUST TRY.

In this day and age, it’s so easy to learn new tips and tricks. Take advantage of the vast knowledge that is out there. Listen to your colleagues around you and don’t let fear stop you from creating amazing things.

5. A Chameleon

My art director told me that being a chameleon is one of the most important characteristics of a good designer. He’s right. Don’t get me wrong, having your own personal style and flair is important and your style is probably what’s helping you succeed today. However, as a designer we have to think about what will be appropriate for the client we are designing for. We need to rein in our design habits and tendencies to be in the client’s best visual interest. What will visually carry their message the best? Are they sporty? Maybe they lean toward being very homegrown and historic. Maybe they’re sleek, high fashion and modern. The point is to not get stuck in one overall style. Be flexible and expand your design aesthetics.

6. A Professional Collaborator

It’s important to get along with others. I know, this may sound like preschool all over again, but it’s true. Collaboration is an important quality I’ve seen in many successful designers. It’s important to be a team player within your agency as well as with clients. The times I’ve had to work in and with a group of people, everything goes much smoother if I’m flexible and collaborative with the other professionals around me.

7. An Ethical Designer

A lot of designers out there steal other people’s work for the sake of convenience. Not only is this lazy but its morally wrong…bottom line. There is no excuse to steal another designer’s hard work and claim it as your own.

EVERY SUCCESSFUL DESIGNER HAS EARNED THEIR NOTORIETY WITH HONEST AND LEGITIMATE WORK.

I spend a lot of time on designs, and I would hate to see my work stolen and repurposed for something else. A good designer thinks about what they have time for and decides what to create from there.

8. Designing On The Side

If you ask any creative individual, they’ll tell you that the creativity never stops. Most great designers I’ve met have told me they are always working on the side. This habit creates a great outlet for designers to have complete freedom of restrictions, a way for each of us to create something truly original and something self-fulfilling. Having something on the side is important for a designer to let loose, experiment, and create something that he can truly call his own. This also allows us to experience trial and error, making the work we do for clients that much better.

In Conclusion

I believe that great designers share these eight common qualities. I’m sure there’re quite a few more qualities that can be added to this list. What are some that you would add? I’d love to hear about them.

Coutesy of Vtldesign. 

https://vtldesign.com/brand-development/graphic-design/qualities-of-a-great-graphic-designer/2/