Jennifer Judson

I agree, practice and experiment. But look at design from many eras. What aspects still look great today? Why? Look at the things that were trends then, but don't fly today. Trends don't last. Great, clean design does. As much as you may think "disrupting" is the key today to being on the leading edge, challenge that way of thinking. Culture shifts definitely, but the way the brain interprets visual stimuli really doesn't. Practice and experiment getting the message across. Put your sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in that area and not in your artist ego.

Let me add to this exploration of tools and formats...the outcome. Not every design product ends up being viewed electronically. Brochures, signs, and T-shirts are all printed. But each of those things has a very different printing process. Pick the brain of the vendors doing the output and learn all the technical aspects of good production art for those mediums. Whatever the output, vendors make great partners when you do your due diligence and provide the best files for output. When about presentations. Find a way to study presentations in various venues. What colors do well when a presentation is projected in a super large venue. What works best on a monitor. Audience is everything. For online content, find out how to test everything.

There are so many avenues for self-learning both on- and offline, but it is absolutely key to learning the fundamental principles of design and practicing them. Invest in some online training venues that include design fundamentals. Head to the library for design textbooks. Spend the afternoon at a bookstore with a great magazine rack...study the magazines that catch your eye. Why do you think they appeal to you? What about the design drew you in? Let your eyes (in combo with your brain) teach you what works and what doesn't. They other key to producing successful outcomes from your work is studying the psychology of how people interpret what they see. Learn about the brain. That can inform your design decisions in important ways.

First, I think you need to know why you want to get into graphic design and what you would like to do. There are a lot of niche areas in the field and be prepared to need to wear a lot of hats. Overall, what became my focus was helping my client shine with the final product. That became my prime motivation. Did the project successfully fulfill the client's goals? Whether it was to sell something, communicate key messages, etc. It was important to learn the many channels by which those goals could be met and the best graphic design principles for each. So, as you set goals, think about what you want to achieve as a graphic designer and how you might carve your niche.

Everyone thinks their own ideas are spot on. Everyone can be wrong. Everyone needs others to help them see what they are not seeing. Not all feedback is constructive but take it anyway. Teach yourself NOT to feel defensive about negative feedback, instead step outside yourself and look at whether there's truth in it. You do need feedback and you need to be able to take it. Over time you will develop a thick skin about it. If you can't, you need to look at a profession where critique isn't part of the day-to-day grind of producing work. Find someone who can help you assess the critique. Someone you can trust to be honest and has your best interest at heart. Give them room to tell you what you don't want to hear. Then grow from it.

Most graphic designers are in positions where they have to keep clients happy. Period. Whoever is giving you a paycheck has to be kept happy. Period. That's reality. So if you want to be a good graphic designer you have to learn to take criticism and keep growing. There's a lot of niches in graphic design. Embrace learning all you can. Do your best to excel wherever you can. Hone your skills. Learn all the technical fundamentals and follow them. Know why technically precise work matters and don't cut corners. Finesse your work when time permits. Athletes build muscles. I think designers build their eyes. Develop abilities to quickly spot what's wrong. Is something off-center? Misaligned? Type font wrong? TRAIN YOUR EYES.