Good Traits to cultivate as a Graphic Designer

There are various channels through which a person can learn the use of design tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator or Indesign in order to be a graphic designer. But apart from the talent of learning these tools, there are few characteristics which need to be inbuilt to be a successful designer.

1. Have Curiosity about the Subject

Not every design project that would come your way would be as interesting as you had thought. But a curious mind will always look for things that will help make things interesting.

• While the brief for the design is being provided by the client, a good designer would and should be taking notes. These notes could include facts, questions, ideas or any specifications mentioned. One should be curious enough to try and find out maximum details.
• Once the briefing is over, the designer should clarify all questions that pop up in their mind. It is best to be clear than be doubtful and end up having jarring thoughts. This would only create confusion which will lead to less confidence in you as a designer.
• Being curious and asking for details will help you in your research and hence you can come up with better ideas.

2. Research is Key

Research is the key to being a successful designer. A good designer needs to do a complete research about the project and should gain all information before starting with the designing bit.

• Once the research is done, it becomes easier for the designer to solve the problem in every aspect. Hence, the designer will be prepared and would have more ideas to share while pitching to the client.
• It also increases the overall knowledge about a subject which could be useful in future projects.

3. Problem- Solving

Apart from the design aesthetics, logical understanding is needed to solve problems. Though ‘Creativity’ and ‘Problem-Solving’ are not something talked about together. But creative problem solving is an art of understanding what the business wants to convey, to whom and how they want to do it. Finding out a solution to this problem with creative designs help businesses create their brand identity and convey their message to all.

The design solution for a problem presented should be an amalgamation of creativity and functionality. For e.g. a UI/UX design made for the website should not only be aesthetically appealing to the customer but each element of the design should also serve the purpose and customer should be able to use these elements with ease. If it fails to do so, it would be a weak design as the problem is not solved. Therefore, always try to find out the best solution for the problem presented.

4. Observing Things Around

There are so many designers who visit websites such as Behance, Dribbble or Pinterest in order to take inspirations. They use these good ideas that certainly help them to create good designs.

But the question is ‘ Where does this idea come from?’

It is not magic, these designs and ideas come from our daily routine life.
But why doesn’t everyone get these ideas? That’s because people lack observation skills. They see things but they don’t observe. There are so many artists working on intricate designs. This is because they observe their surroundings.

‘To acquire knowledge, one must study;

But to acquire wisdom, one must observe’

— Marilyn Vos Savant

5. Listening to all kinds of Information

Apart from having good observation skills, listening is yet another great soft skill that a good designer has.

A sense of superiority might push forward the designer to tell the client what he/she needs without listening but a good designer makes sure to listen and be able to produce what is required by the client.

“If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain much more than you can by talk.”

6. Having Good Communication Skills is Important

Communication is an important attribute that a designer should have. A designer communicates through sketches, models, computer graphics, writing and speaking.

A lot of thought goes into the design but if the designer lacks good communication skills, his/her ideas might get rejected by the client.

The vision of the client should be well reciprocated by the designs and hence it should be accompanied by a reasonable theory behind the ideas.

7. Be Open to Criticism

A good designer is always flexible with the feedbacks and should be open to criticism. It is an evolving process and helps to get positive results.

One must be willing to try out new things and should be welcoming towards advice from various sources such that it helps them improve their works.

8. Be Passionate

The creative field could be quite challenging unless it is something you love. It involves odd working hours, multiple edits, bizarre briefing and huge workloads. Hence, it is very important to be passionate about your work because this is how you will drive yourself to manage all projects within the time barriers.

9. Be Professional

Always carry your work with utmost professionalism. It might involve conducting meetings for pitches, negotiations, money transfers or any business communication.

It’s not just talent, clients want to work with reliable people. Hence it is important to create trustworthiness. Be consistent and look out for the client’s needs. This would lead to a long and healthy relationship.

10. Keep Evolving

Knowledge has no end. So keep updating yourself with new tools, new trends so that you keep gaining knowledge. This will help you have many more and better ideas. Never stop learning!

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.”