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Photography and graphics

Graphic design is a collective name for various areas within the field of design. In particular, the elaboration of ideas and concepts, and the production of digital and visual products for publication and distribution are collectively called ”  Graphic Design  “.

What makes learning about it worthwhile?

Designing and producing digital content has become increasingly important. You see it everywhere: well-developed concepts that you know take a long time. Therefore, it is something that almost any company can use. However, graphic design  is not a skill you just have to achieve. The best designers have been doing it for years and have received serious training for it. Are you really interested in design and layout? So it’s definitely worth learning about.

Why do companies hire graphic designers?

There is a good chance that the entrepreneur or big boss may not be able to do everything himself. Graphic design consists in part of technical knowledge and in part of creative influences. That means you have to be selective about who you hire. Graphic designers  have the technical and creative skills to get started.

 

The technical knowledge you need

We both said that it really takes technical knowledge to become a   successful graphic designer . Having an idea is only useful when you can create it. In the field of graphic design, it is mainly about knowledge about the programs and tools that you use. Making the right choice between two or three tools for a project is also important.

Create graphic designs with Photoshop

Adobe’s masterpiece is an important tool for many designers. For image editing and graphic design,  Adobe Photoshop is  one of the   most widely used  design programs in  the world. Unsurprisingly, many people start their dream of designing when they learn about Photoshop. In our opinion, that is also the place to start.

What graphic projects do you choose with Photoshop?

Photoshop is originally a program with which you edit photos or images. Excel at it. In recent years, however, many more features have been added. You can create complete designs from scratch, you can create real works of art with brushes, you can edit videos and create animations. The following sample projects are perfect for  Photoshop  :

  • Design of new banners for advertisements, own icons and other promotional material.
  • Edit your own existing photos and images.
  • Draw and paint simple designs.
  • Simple website and app design.

Starting to learn Photoshop, what should you pay attention to?

While learning Photoshop, it’s helpful to at least copy the things you see or learn yourself. In this way, you will know the working methods much faster. In the case of the online Photoshop course on Soofos, you will learn through instructional videos and practice tasks, so you can quickly and effectively learn how Photoshop works.

Logo and corporate identity design with Illustrator

Logo and branding design can be done to some degree with Photoshop, but Adobe Illustrator is a better tool for this. In fact, this is organized, so that creative types can illustrate new designs. Especially when it comes to designing logos, icons, and digital drawings, Illustrator is your best friend.

What graphic projects do you carry out with Illustrator?

Illustrator is a vector drawing program. This means that you can make drawings that are, in principle, infinitely scalable. This makes the program extremely useful for, among other things, corporate design and starting to illustrate from scratch. The following sample projects are best addressed in  Illustrator  :

  • Sophisticated logo and icon design.
  • Creating your own unique typeface.
  • Edit existing photos with extensive drawing tools.

To start learning from Illustrator, what should you pay attention to?

When learning Illustrator, it is useful to learn from the videos and then take your own path in the practice tasks. Working with your own ideas is more convenient in Illustrator, because the creativity program allows more. Testing things yourself gives you an opportunity to discover and understand the features. In the Illustrator online course, you will at least get to know the features and see what the program can do.

Creating infographics in Illustrator

This is the era in which information is central. However, there are certain aspects of humans that do not change, such as the fact that we would rather see than read. If you have any Illustrator knowledge it’s worth learning how to create infographics with Illustrator as these are in high demand skills these days.

Create posts with Adobe InDesign

This could be a topic that people don’t know belongs to the field of graphic design. However, that is certainly the case. Creating publications, both offline and online, is an important part of the visibility of a company or brand. DTP has become much more important in recent years.

What graphic projects do you carry out with Adobe InDesign?

Because Adobe InDesign is designed for DTP work, you can actually take all of your publishing related projects online and offline. For example, creating brochures and magazines, but also creating interactive PDF files can be done with InDesign. The following sample projects are perfect for  InDesign  :

  • Printable preparations, such as magazines and brochures.
  • Digital publications, such as PDF and digital brochures.

To start learning about InDesign, what should you pay attention to?

When it comes to learning InDesign, it’s helpful to work on your own “project”. This not only keeps you motivated to continue, but it also feels much more personal. You can participate in the exercises and put them in your own file. Also in the InDesign online course on Soofos you simply have videos, exercises and exercise files.

The creative influence you need

Without having an idea of ​​what you want to create, designing something is impossible. This is why we have tips for letting your creativity flow again.

1. Try something new every day

By trying new things, you get new ideas. These don’t have to be completely new things. For example, you can try learning some new words in the language you already speak, you can walk to a place where you have not been or try something that is not good at all.

2. Record new ideas

Many people today have a notebook with them. That is super smart for two reasons. The first is that we often have hunches, but we can’t do anything with it at the time. This way you can remember it without having to think about it. The second is that writing helps stimulate creativity. Win-win, right?

3. Go for a walk without technology

Our screens make us less sharp. Sitting still isn’t really in our nature. We need more exercise and preferably without the need for technology. Movement ensures that blood begins to flow again and that gives our brains a chance to go to work. Combine this with the previous two tips and you can take it again.

4. Don’t try to be perfect

Clients may often want much more than is possible. There will also always be other people with a critical eye. Stop doing something that everyone likes, do what you need and be happy.

5. Always keep smiling

Laughter makes you happy and vice versa. Joy and creativity stir each other. So do you feel a little crabby? Then continue with these tips to stimulate your creativity.

What is a graphic designer?

graphic designer  (also known as  a graphic designer  ) is someone who is professionally involved in the graphic design of printed matter such as brochures, book covers, flyers, and business cards. He is also responsible for the design of (digital) products such as full corporate identities and website logos.

In some cases, the roles of designers and designers are separate: someone who created the design is called a graphic designer, and the person doing the design is the graphic designer. Generally, however, the two terms refer to the same function.

What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic designers’ work may include:

  • Print ad design (including brochures, stationery, flyers, business cards, posters, and roll-up banners), particularly in the field of design (layout), typography (fonts and sizes, column width and line spacing), use of color, illustrations and photos
  • Take care of the graphic design of the websites (corporate identity and logo)
  • Taking care of the signage of billboards, vehicles and commercial premises
  • Visual translation of brand and marketing strategy into corporate identity, campaign concepts, communication tools and digital media.
  • Create newsletter templates
  • Create and edit images and / or videos
  • Monitor the style of the house from, for example, websites or other online or print media (for example, ensure unity between design and image and text elements)

Important Topics: Job Description Graphic Designer, Job Requirements Graphic Designer, Job Profile Graphic Designer, Graphic Designer Tasks, Graphic Designer Responsibilities, What a Graphic Designer Does, What a Graphic Designer Is, Working as a Designer graphic designer, work as a graphic designer.

Where do graphic designers work?

Graphic designers often work for marketing, advertising and communication agencies, graphic design agencies, and printing companies. In addition, they can work as freelancers for multiple clients. Graphic designers often work with DTP people, online marketers, traffic managers, creative directors, art directors, product managers, and e-commerce managers.

How do you become a graphic designer?

To become a graphic designer, you can follow graphic design for intermediate vocational education (media designer). This is a four-year course at level 4 of MBO, which you can follow at the Grafisch Lyceum.

In addition, there are some higher professional graphic design courses, for example:

  • Graphic Design (Utrecht School of the Arts)
  • Comunicación y diseño multimedia (Hogeschool van Amsterdam, Avans Hogeschool, Hogeschool Rotterdam, Hogeschool van Arnhem and Nijmegen y Hogeschool Zuyd)