What you need to know to become a graphic designer: important graphic skills

Introduction

Graphic design is a field which subsets visual communication and communication design. A graphic designer creates and combines symbols, images and text to form visual representations of ideas and messages. They use typography, visual arts and page layout techniques to create visual compositions. Common applications of graphic design include logos, branding, editorial design (magazines, newspapers and books), road signs, way finding or environmental design, advertising, web design, communication design etc

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Important graphic Skill

For the creative minded, graphic design jobs could be stimulating, fun, and potentially lucrative, but in order to have a thriving career as a graphic designer, I would recommend you to enroll in a college or apply for at least 2-3years internship for proper training. Designers use digital tools, often referred to as interactive design, or multimedia design. Designers need some good skills to convince an audience, offer their services and as well as sell their designs. Below are the skills a graphic designer should know:

1. Communication
2. Printmaking
3. Page layout
4. Creativity
5. Typography
6. Adobe’s creative apps
7. Interactive media
8. Coding
9. Branding
10. Delivering presentations

Graphic Tool

Other than skills there are some professional tools that can be used by a graphic designer to make their work professional. Graphic designers are expected to be proficient in software programs for image-making, typography, layout, and photo editing.

Almost all the popular and industry standard software programs used by graphic designers are products of Adobe Systems Incorporated. Some of the computer software a graphic designer should know are:

1. Corel Draw and Corel PHOTO-PAINT
2. Adobe Photoshop (a raster-based program for photo editing)
3. Adobe Illustrator (a vector-based program for drawing) is often used in the final stage.
4. Adobe InDesign
5. Serif PagePlus
6. QuarkXpress.

Most designers often use pre-designed raster images and vector graphics in their work from online design databases. Raster images may be edited in Adobe Photoshop, logos and illustrations in Adobe Illustrator, and the final product assembled in one of the major page layout programs Adobe InDesign.

Don’t forget, Franklin D. Roosevelt says: “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.” It never hurts to start early in any field, but it is particularly important when it comes to graphic design. You need to acquire some technical skills on some of the aforelisted computer program to be very sure to start creating some compelling Portfolio. However, you may not need to be too good before you start. With time and your year of experience will also speak how good you will become.

With a professional knowledge in graphics design, you can also be known as an art director, creative director, animator and entry level production artist. Depending on the industry you will serve, your responsibilities may involve specialized skills such as illustration, photography, animation or interactive design.