10 ways to improve your design skills

By Broc Sears

Transcript

1. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
2. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
3. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 1. Look outside your own discipline n Inspiration and strategy in the similar. n Inspiration and strategy in the very, very different.
4. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
5. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 2. Learn to draw At least learn how to sketch... n ... and yes, you have to carry a sketchbook.
6. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
7. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 3. Know when to walk away n Hitting the wall n Breaking the routine n Shower power?
8. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
9. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 4. Master “less is more” Too many typefaces. Too many colors. Too much art. Too many clever tricks. n Strip designs down to their essentials, to the muscle of design n Practice designing with one font. One color. One form of Helvetica has over 51 weights! Is that not enough to design a brochure with?
10. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
11. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 5. Be aware of trends Design approaches across media changes. n Don’t always jump on the bandwagon. n Don’t always stare at the parade.
12. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
13. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 6. Learn to write And learning to copywrite would be awesome! n Discover the power of words. n Discover the power of words and images. n Discover the rewards of creating with both.
14. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
15. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 7. Learn how to use the grid The grid gives a strong, visually appealing, uniform structure to any project. n Using columns and half-columns for structure. n Aligning to the baseline grid for stability and visual confidence.
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17. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 8. Redo or recreate other designs Find projects that have weaknesses or that shine and n Redesign them. n Figure out how and why the designer used that solution by recreating the project. n Work one of your projects into their solution.
18. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
19. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 9. Immerse yourself in design culture The more exposure to design, designers, visual communicators and the environment the more your design skills and insight will grow. n Books n Design organizations n Design websites n Blogs n Designer’s websites
20. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
21. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS 10. Become an expert As you develop your skills be willing to share them with others. n Volunteer to design for non-profits. n Volunteer to work with student media. n Volunteer to critique...
22. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
23. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS So... let us begin!
24. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS
25. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS NEXT 9 Welcome and introductions 9:20 What the heck is visual communication? 9:40 Principles and fundamentals 10:40 Break 10:50 Typography 11:40 The creative process 12:30 Lunch 1 10 things you can do to improve advertising 1:50 Break 2 10 things you can do to improve editorial 2:50 Break 3 10 things you can do to improve other stuff 4 Close
26. 10 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR DESIGN SKILLS THEN 9 Welcome and introductions 9:20 What the heck is visual communication? 9:40 Principles and fundamentals 10:40 Break 10:50 Typography 11:40 The creative process 12:30 Lunch 1 10 things you can do to improve advertising 1:50 Break 2 10 things you can do to improve editorial 2:50 Break 3 10 things you can do to improve other stuff 4 Close