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Design 101

My advice would be to download the trial versions of Adobe's CS3 software and make yourself a few practice "assignments." For instance, a magazine cover/layout, a promotional poster for a band, a personal letterhead, etc. The people on this forum would be glad to help out with software questions and critiques.
 
I agree with your statement, but I also believe (maybe not ALL people) that limiting one's self to beginning with the Paper and pen is self limiting. I know that I myself get a better feel for something if I produce inside the software, as if its like this big puzzle and Im able to create the pieces as I go along, as well as continually reassess their interaction. I have the general direction in my head as opposed to in a sketch. If I were to do this on paper then digitize it, I think personally I would find that a little stifling, creatively speaking that is.

It would be the same to say a master painter is wrong for not using an undersketch. Nay, in fact, one would call him a much better painter because he has the ability to see the final product in his head. Am I saying that Im a better designer because I can do this? Not hardly, but I do believe that everyone is different, ergo work flow is different for each individual. However, if I couldnt afford the software, or afford the time to learn it properly, I think I would start with Pen and Paper.


klymr said:
Hmm...I see what you are saying now. I guess I agree that software knowledge and application is an absolute must, but that's not all that design entails either. Like you said, other skills are also required.

I see the designing as being done on paper with pen/pencil and the computer producing and bettering that design. I think the tools of design are still pen and paper, however the manual typesetting, etc. has been replaced with the computer and other digital means for finishing the design process and then producing the idea. Does that make sense, or am I just crazy? LOL! :p
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Abraxsis said:
I agree with your statement, but I also believe (maybe not ALL people) that limiting one's self to beginning with the Paper and pen is self limiting. I know that I myself get a better feel for something if I produce inside the software, as if its like this big puzzle and Im able to create the pieces as I go along, as well as continually reassess their interaction. I have the general direction in my head as opposed to in a sketch. If I were to do this on paper then digitize it, I think personally I would find that a little stifling, creatively speaking that is.

It would be the same to say a master painter is wrong for not using an undersketch. Nay, in fact, one would call him a much better painter because he has the ability to see the final product in his head. Am I saying that Im a better designer because I can do this? Not hardly, but I do believe that everyone is different, ergo work flow is different for each individual. However, if I couldnt afford the software, or afford the time to learn it properly, I think I would start with Pen and Paper.
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Oh, don't get me wrong, I agree with you in the sense that playing with digital layout is needed also. I personally have many ideas on things that flow through my head, but if I sit at the computer I have a much harder time with the layout than if I quickly sketch out the various elements. Say, for example, I want this photo here, that paragraph there, or maybe this paragraph here, that photo there, etc. I work better if I draw out a few different layouts on paper (not detailed at all) and then take the better of the ideas and start to work off of them on the computer. I find that I don't limit myself that way, whereas if I were to just sit at the computer I don't tend to stray much from the original concept because there are so many other things I can do to tweak what I'm doing. That's me personally, and I'm sure you work differently.

BTW, this is an interesting topic we have going on now, LOL.
 
Maybe what we are really getting at here is that, like other topics, there are some who seem to have an innate ability to do something. Blind painters, deaf musicians, Helen Keller, etc. There are many instances where a persons mind is strengthened in a certain method of processing. Pardon my psycho-babble, I got a MS in Psy before I became a Designer, lol. Perhaps my innate abilities allow me to think more freely with the computer because that is where I started at. I never went through a Paper and Pen stage. Sure I drew as a child and teen, but once I got into science it was all computers and writing. So perhaps I have trained my brain to work within the confines of the computer, where as you found your way into the field via Pen and Paper. I feel more "natural" with a mouse, instead of a Pen (maybe that is why Im having issues getting used to the Wacom tablet I bought, lol) Not that either way is wrong, or better, but just saying that it is a possibility.

Take a blind painter for instance, obviously he/she had sight at one time, and therefore recreates visual memories via painting, even though they are unable to SEE what theyre doing. The visuals they have is a sort of "training" in this case. My background is in computers, there for it is my previous "training." Just as Paper and Pen was yours. (Im assuming that this is the case since youre very passionate about the use of Pen and paper, please correct me if I am wrong.)

klymr said:
Oh, don't get me wrong, I agree with you in the sense that playing with digital layout is needed also. I personally have many ideas on things that flow through my head, but if I sit at the computer I have a much harder time with the layout than if I quickly sketch out the various elements. Say, for example, I want this photo here, that paragraph there, or maybe this paragraph here, that photo there, etc. I work better if I draw out a few different layouts on paper (not detailed at all) and then take the better of the ideas and start to work off of them on the computer. I find that I don't limit myself that way, whereas if I were to just sit at the computer I don't tend to stray much from the original concept because there are so many other things I can do to tweak what I'm doing. That's me personally, and I'm sure you work differently.

BTW, this is an interesting topic we have going on now, LOL.
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There are two sides to the coin: theory and practice. You do need them both.

Regarding "practice", the good news is that one can learn the tools of the trade fairly quickly; and helpful books, magazines, and online resources for learning them abound. The bad news is that those tools are constantly evolving and changing, so learning them is a never-ending process. The "practice" never ends.

As for the theory: everything you learn goes forward with you. That's the good news. The bad news is that truly helpful resources are few and far between; and this kind of knowledge is hard-won. It's best to rub elbows with greatness if you can; there's nothing like having a great mentor. But if you really have no place to go for mentoring and critiques, then look for books that bracket out the technical aspects and focus on the fundamentals of design, composition, and CONCEPT. The latter is really the key to success. Design is ultimately about communication, and no amount of "style" can make up for conceptual weakness.
 
How to be a Designer

Find a college course.
Go to it.
Learn the basics.
Work hard.
Build a portfolio.
Find an art school.
Work hard to get into it.
Open your mind to everything.
Learn all you can about design.
Work hard.
Work hard.
Work hard.
Build another portfolio.
Graduate.
Find a design studio that will take a new designer.
Open your mind to design as a business and a craft.
Work hard.
Work hard.
Find a better job, or start up for yourself.
Work hard.
Work hard.
Die happy knowing you did what you wanted.
 
JasonElise1983 said:
I disagree... I've always heard from every creative director and believe myself that any monkey can learn the software, but its the creative/ original thought that matters. Its not about the tool. You can do great design without a computer... Its tv concept and idea that matters.

Magazines:
communiction arts
cmyk
print
graphik
I.D.

-je
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Totally agree. I had a professor once say he could still make a living in graphic design even if he lost both arms and both legs. Its about your mind, creativity, imagination.
 
I am no expert but here is where I would start if I were you.

  1. Start doing daily sketches. This will help you in ways you can't imagine.
  2. Start keeping a physical and digital scrap book of designs and graphics that appeal to you. This helps you with ideas as well as helps expose you to design.
  3. Start going to any local art functions. This exposes you to the art community and locals who might be able to help you.
  4. Look for podcasts and the like in iTunes or elsewhere that deal with design and the tools you might use (indesign, photoshop, etc). It is like going to mini seminars from the comfort of you own computer. Magazines are good as well.
  5. Lastly, do something artistic every day. The creative process is often the best teacher, you may fail often but you will learn every step of the way.

I wish you the best and good luck
 
Design 101.. there is no proper "design 101". If you want to design in usability.. read Krug's "Don't Make me Think".. more concise than Nielsen, and takes out all the little details in between. Smashing Magazine is a pretty cool website, as well as Vitamin.

Inspire yourself.. be creative.. buy inspirational publications.. network with some really famous designers.. find out what makes "good design" and try to step forwards with that grain in hand. Attend seminars and tech events to get a good grasp of what's in demand to fitfully supplement the mass of sites that are being pushed out right now. Personally, I wish I could do this, but i'm still in high school.

Levid Media, Fantasy Interactive, The Favorite Web Awards.. all great places to catch up on inspiration. Don't read design.. feel it. Reading puts you in a cage. Your own experience is what pushes you forward.
 
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"The best design tool is a long eraser with a pencil at one end." —Marty Neumeier Neutron LLC
 
I find that one of the most oft-overlooked areas of design education is design history. Philip Meggs' "A History of Graphic Design" would be helpful in this regard; study the work of the greats and learn the art movements.

But really, there is no substitute for a design education. I just finished my 3rd year in my graphic design program. Here's to heavy workloads and little pay after graduation!
 
Just get the 30 day trails, that what I did and I coded in flash already. Dreamweaver is fun too if your into building website.
 
The talk on the first page about being unemployed if you can't use the required software makes me shake my head. There are too many people who just know how to use effects and work with a program, but know absolutely nothing about basic design principles.

Drew Davies of the very successful Oxide Design Co. said in his last lecture..."I can teach someone how to use Illustrator, but I can't teach them how to design and understand the process."

It's incredibly true. You can learn the software, but if you can't go through the steps that it takes to make good design and can not problem solve, you're useless.

So, thread creator, keep that in mind when first starting.
 
For the OP: There are a few areas you will want to think about.

For general design, I like the book from this site: http://gdbasics.com/

You also need to study type. There are lots of good options. A couple I know are : Stop stealing sheep (yes, that is a design book), Designing with type.

I also recommend a sketchbook(s) and develop all your ideas there first and don't go to the computer until you have a firm idea of execution. The computer is a device for execution - it cannot replace mental creativity. So, yes I am saying that photoshop filters DO NOT equal creative problem solving.

I would also look at the work of others but, not for the purpose of copying a style or look. You want to pull the design a part and figure out why they are successful and appealing to you. Just like Michelangelo did with cadavers. Looks at the type, the relationships. Look for the use of design principles. Once you learn to recognize them easily you will be on your way to being a good designer.

To those who claim software is half as important as design principles you are wrong - flat wrong. The creative process informs the execution, not the not the reverse. I see a lot of "graphic designers" who know photoshop but, can't successfully solve a design problem. The reason is they go to photoshop and expect to SOLVE the problem there and they usually just copy something they have seen. It's a false procedure. You have to come to PS with a solution that PS can help you execute.

-mx
 
motoxpress said:
For the OP: There are a few areas you will want to think about.

For general design, I like the book from this site: http://gdbasics.com/

You also need to study type. There are lots of good options. A couple I know are : Stop stealing sheep (yes, that is a design book), Designing with type.

I also recommend a sketchbook(s) and develop all your ideas there first and don't go to the computer until you have a firm idea of execution. The computer is a device for execution - it cannot replace mental creativity. So, yes I am saying that photoshop filters DO NOT equal creative problem solving.

I would also look at the work of others but, not for the purpose of copying a style or look. You want to pull the design a part and figure out why they are successful and appealing to you. Just like Michelangelo did with cadavers. Looks at the type, the relationships. Look for the use of design principles. Once you learn to recognize them easily you will be on your way to being a good designer.

To those who claim software is half as important as design principles you are wrong - flat wrong. The creative process informs the execution, not the not the reverse. I see a lot of "graphic designers" who know photoshop but, can't successfully solve a design problem. The reason is they go to photoshop and expect to SOLVE the problem there and they usually just copy something they have seen. It's a false procedure. You have to come to PS with a solution that PS can help you execute.

-mx
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AMEN! BRAVO!

Oh, and I second the Designing with Type book to learn about typography.

Another basic type book that is priceless in content is The Mac is not a typewriter. We used both of these two books in my Typography class and both are very helpful.

I also bought the book The Elements of Typographic Style but haven't had time to read much. By what I hear it's an excellent resource. I look forward to reading it.

You don't even need to go as far as using a sketchbook to work out your design ideas. I often start with a pen(cil) and a clipboard with a few sheets of blank paper. The advantage of a sketchbook is that it's much easier to keep track of your ideas in case you want to go back and see your older stuff. I also recently bought a Moleskine sketchbook to keep a journal in. That way if I feel inspired at all I can break from writing to sketch without the lines getting in the way. And now I'm rambling in my type because it must be late. Good luck to whoever may care to read this.
 
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