You are passionate about graphic design and want to excel in it. What skills should you concentrate on to become a great graphic designer? It is important to understand what employers want. We asked experts to help us identify the essential design skills that every graphic designer should have by 2022.
Graphic design skills that can benefit almost any professional
These graphic designing skills can be used to enhance your design abilities. You can become a creative professional no matter your stage in life.
Business acumen
Sometimes it’s hard to believe, but creating something visually pleasing is not enough if it’s not tied to a business strategy. To be effective, you need to have a good understanding of the purpose behind your designs. Mark Hellevik is the creative director of Periscope. He says that graphic design doesn’t only involve creating engaging content but also solving problems.
Hellevik claims he is more inclined to hire designers who can solve business problems, even if they are imagined. Employers will be impressed by the problem-solving skills in your portfolio. They know how valuable communication and business acumen can be.
Emotional intelligence
While it’s obvious that good designers need to have business acumen, employers increasingly seek designers who can also communicate with their emotions.
Jay Soni, marketing manager at Yorkshire Fabric Shop, says that even though it may not seem obvious initially, it is a crucial part of good design.
Soni says, “Most designs are designed to persuade people in a certain way. This necessitates an understanding of human psychology as well as what drives individuals to act in particular ways.” “Emotional intelligence is intertwined in this.”
The ability to perceive how a design may make the viewer feel is crucial and affects collaboration and communication between coworkers and clients.
Soni says that individuals with high emotional intelligence and a good work ethic are more likely to get along with others and enjoy more positive working relationships.
Typography
Typography refers to the art of selecting typefaces, colours, layouts, sizes, lengths, and other factors. Combining these elements can trigger an emotional response from the reader, which increases credibility and trust in the content.
Why is typography important for designers? David Farkas, the creator of The Lower Ranks, believes that designers must make written language appealing and understandable no matter what design trends are.
Farkas believes designers who understand typography well, including font selection and alignment, kerning and leading, and tracking, are valuable.
Farkas states that while anyone can find any font online, a designer who understands how typefaces are created and used will be more successful.
Nick Edwards, director of Snow Locaters, said that typography concerns in a web environment are different from those in a print environment.
Edwards advises, “It is crucial that you understand the principles and digital typography.”
Compatibility issues can cause a design to fail. Knowing your options for finding effective alternatives is crucial.
Adobe(r) design software
Although Adobe software such as Photoshop (r.), Illustrator (r.) and InDesign _ (r.) are not new, they are essential to designers’ daily work.
June Escalada is the design director of Photoshop Buzz. “There are many software tools today, but they are still irreplaceable.” Their new features are amazing, and they remain the most popular software graphic designers use today.
Devin Schumacher, the founder of SERP, noted that Canva (r) has been rising among non-designer users.
Schumacher states that Canva is a good tool for quick tasks. It’s still Adobe Photoshop and its most popular accessory for graphic designers.
Anna Bacon, Adduco Communications, is a graphic designer who recommends Adobe Stock for stock imagery.
Bacon states that Adobe Stock(r) is the best choice for stock photos overall. You can upload images directly from your computer to find similar results, such as the same colour or composition. They also have an enormous selection of high-resolution images from artists and photographers worldwide.
A designer’s ability to use Illustrator and Photoshop to create content will make their work more professional. These programs are useful beyond the practicality of being able to use them. It also allows you to devote more energy and thought to the design principles.
Motion design
There is nothing better than a still photo. One that moves! Although it may seem a bit simplistic, motion design is very engaging. It will continue to be popular for logos, illustrations, websites, and social media marketing.
Schumacher seeks designers who have experience in motion design.
Schumacher admitted that he is more inclined to hire graphic designers who can handle video work. “Platforms such as TikTok or YouTube need dynamic content,” Schumacher admits. I’m looking for graphic designers who can double as video editors. They can use tools such as Audacity for sound recordings and Vegas Pro for stitching together videos.
Many graphic designers learn to create motion design by integrating the elements of space, time and movement into their existing skill set. This ability shows that a designer is more versatile.
Bacon says that motion graphics, even if just adding movement to a logo, create more visual interest when shared with clients. Adding subtle movement, you can create dynamic social graphics, ads, and infographics using After Effects.
Communication and presentation skills
It’s not just a part of the job. Designers need to be able to create cool visuals and creative graphics to keep getting new clients or projects. Andrew Dale is the technical director of CloudTech24 and values designers who can communicate on multiple levels.
Dale says, “When designers create a project, it has an impact on the person who is watching it.” A designer must be able to communicate the message using images, typography, and other tools. Designers need to be able to communicate through their work. Every time they change the colour of a print or the button type on the interface, the designer modifies the message the user gets. Certain forms and colours can have specific implications for different target groups. It is the responsibility of the designer to ensure that it is done correctly.
Ariana Flynn is the marketing and communications manager at ProxyRack.
Flynn states that graphic design is essential for presentations and proposals. Designers must also be able to engage with clients and employers via email, phone and video.
Colour theory
A design’s colour selection can make a huge impact. Research suggests that colour selection can have a huge impact on a design.
There are many colour palettes available to assist you with this. Understanding these theories will allow you to use colour effectively and make your decision.
Everybody who has had to defend their work knows that design is subjective. Understanding colour theory is a great way to support your design decisions.
UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) design
Graphic designers are increasingly required to master user experience and interface design, especially in digital environments. UX design has a profound impact on the consumer experience with a brand. This includes products, services, apps, and websites.
