Last updated on 26 Jul 2021 - 3 min read
Getting into the field that you want is always daunting for any new designer. There are a bunch of technologies, devices, and applications that you will be required to learn to even have a foot in the door in the industry.
It seems impossible to learn every technology and application especially when you’re new to the field however skill in these areas is not the only thing on the list, there are lots of characteristics and traits of a designer that are needed to succeed. With these tips, being a new designer will soon feel like a piece of cake. It’s okay to be new.
Just as the title says, learning the tools is still important. If you were hoping for a shortcut then you’re out of luck, there is some good news, however, you don’t need to know every single tool and you don’t need to know every nook and cranny of a singular one but you will need to know a lot about it.
To get you best prepared as a new creative then Adobe Photoshop is a must; being experienced in Photoshop will boost your value a lot as a new creative as Adobe Photoshop is the marketing leader for photo editing. After that, there is one more tool that you will need to know, having two pieces of software in your arsenal makes you very valuable and it all depends on what field you want to enter.
Want to do web design? then Figma or Sketch will be the best bet. Want to go into brand design? then Adobe Illustrator will be perfect for you.
If you’re not very experienced in any of these then here’s a list of resources that you can use (personal favorite is Youtube, can really find anything on there):
With anything, there is a constant stream of new trends where some stay and some come and go. Being up to date with the latest trends and adapting them to fit your style is an important trait for a new creative. Countless evenings have been spent just scrolling through Awwwards or Dribbble and exploring what’s new and what’s trending.
Trends are very important to be aware of however you must not lose sight of developing your own style, having a unique style and individuality will make you stand out as a new creative. This leads me on to our next point.
“A user interface is like a joke. If you have to explain it, it’s not that good.”
As previously mentioned, you should always be looking for new trends and that will be involved when you are looking for inspiration, whether it be a new or old project. Seeking inspiration is a very important part of the job as you never want your designs to be left behind. At Fly Full Circle we use countless sites to look for inspiration: Dribbble and Awwwards mentioned earlier, Pinterest to look at designs and styles, and Instagram to peak on what our competitors are doing behind the scenes.
The point is we as designers are always looking for inspiration and we do this so that we never copy. We take the best bits of the inspiration that we found to craft something in our own style unique to us and only us. Else we wouldn’t be creative… Just imitators.
As a new creative designer, it is very important to showcase you can adapt the inspiration you found and tailor it towards your unique style. The old yoink and twist.
All of this talk about unique style and there’s no information on how to showcase it. One of the most helpful things you can do as a new creative designer is to create your own portfolio; you have to showcase what you’re capable of! Whether you build your own or you use a template doesn’t matter, you have to showcase your work online especially if you’re a web designer. It is the best way to show you’re serious about being a creative designer.
I’ve blabbered on for a while but I have one more thing I would like to say. The final piece of help that I can offer is to never stop evolving. Whether you are a junior creative or even a senior creative with years of experience; it is so important to always be bettering yourself, no one is perfect from the start, and struggling with some designs is all part of the journey, the main point is to learn from your mistakes and to always have fun being creative!
