3 answers
Hope
Student
Grundy Center, Iowa
6
Questions
Asked
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What is the hardest part of being a graphic designer?
#design #graphic-design #computer
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3 answers
Brandon DeLallo, CSM, PMI-ACP, CCMP
Project Manager/Cloud Analyst
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
One of the biggest challenges of being a graphic designer is receiving input from folks who want to alter your creative design with usually garish input.
Additionally, you will design what you been asked to their specifications and often they will change their mind based on what they see. One of the quickest ways to mitigate this is to provide three or four different designs if possible.
Gather all of the requirements around the design they're looking to accomplish
Level set expectations that the initial design may not meet their satisfaction and it's iterative
Create three to four different designs based on what you think they might like
Additionally, you will design what you been asked to their specifications and often they will change their mind based on what they see. One of the quickest ways to mitigate this is to provide three or four different designs if possible.
Brandon recommends the following next steps:
I'm excited to put your great advice to good use!
Aadya
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Hope,
The creative process can be very challenging. Getting to a look and feel that everyone can accept may take sometime. And sometimes a change can come very late in the timeline of the project work. There are going to be two skills that you need to master: 1) not being precious about your work and 2) when to say no. Not being precious means that you cannot take personally all of the feedback and changes that you may be asked to make. It truly isn't personal. It is about getting to the right product for the customer. This goes hand in hand with the second part - when to say No to a change in your work. As you gain experience in your role as a graphic designer, you will know when something won't work or won't look good. That is why you have been brought in - to use your knowledge of good graphic design to give your client the best possible product. So how do these two things work together? You should not tell a client no to a change when you biggest reason against the change is that you like what you did a lot or that it is your best work. Instead, your reasoning should be on graphic design principles - such as a change in the color or shape are known to have a poor impact on the customer experience.
Gloria
The creative process can be very challenging. Getting to a look and feel that everyone can accept may take sometime. And sometimes a change can come very late in the timeline of the project work. There are going to be two skills that you need to master: 1) not being precious about your work and 2) when to say no. Not being precious means that you cannot take personally all of the feedback and changes that you may be asked to make. It truly isn't personal. It is about getting to the right product for the customer. This goes hand in hand with the second part - when to say No to a change in your work. As you gain experience in your role as a graphic designer, you will know when something won't work or won't look good. That is why you have been brought in - to use your knowledge of good graphic design to give your client the best possible product. So how do these two things work together? You should not tell a client no to a change when you biggest reason against the change is that you like what you did a lot or that it is your best work. Instead, your reasoning should be on graphic design principles - such as a change in the color or shape are known to have a poor impact on the customer experience.
Gloria
Jennifer Petersen
Graphic Design
2
Answers
Livermore, California
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hello Hope!
To answer your question, the hardest part I find about being a graphic designer is staying inspired. Initially in my career, a job as a graphic designer seemed very glorious and rewarding. And while it is those things giving you the ability to be creative and work on many different types of projects, it is still much like many other jobs that also have redundancy, burnout, etc. It is very important to stay inspired in your career and there are many ways you can do that:
1) Go to conferences. I attend AdobeMax every year and every time I go I am surround by likeminded people and I get to see design all around me and I just always leave feeling excited and re-fulfilled.
2) Find a mentor that inspires you. There are a couple of industry folks that I follow religiously. I follow them because I find that they teach and inspire me to find new ways to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
3) Travel. There is so much that we miss by just staying in our own bubbles. When you travel, take in your surroundings, see how others are doing things and get really good at seeing design everywhere.
4) And of course, rest. Early in my career, I learned that I was taking my work home with me. I found myself in bed at night trying to sleep but also solving problems in my head. And while some might argue that is the way to get ahead, as I am further ahead in my career I have learned that there is NOTHING more important than taking a break from your work and claiming your time as YOURS.
I hope this answers your question and I wish you the best of luck in your Graphic Design career!
To answer your question, the hardest part I find about being a graphic designer is staying inspired. Initially in my career, a job as a graphic designer seemed very glorious and rewarding. And while it is those things giving you the ability to be creative and work on many different types of projects, it is still much like many other jobs that also have redundancy, burnout, etc. It is very important to stay inspired in your career and there are many ways you can do that:
1) Go to conferences. I attend AdobeMax every year and every time I go I am surround by likeminded people and I get to see design all around me and I just always leave feeling excited and re-fulfilled.
2) Find a mentor that inspires you. There are a couple of industry folks that I follow religiously. I follow them because I find that they teach and inspire me to find new ways to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
3) Travel. There is so much that we miss by just staying in our own bubbles. When you travel, take in your surroundings, see how others are doing things and get really good at seeing design everywhere.
4) And of course, rest. Early in my career, I learned that I was taking my work home with me. I found myself in bed at night trying to sleep but also solving problems in my head. And while some might argue that is the way to get ahead, as I am further ahead in my career I have learned that there is NOTHING more important than taking a break from your work and claiming your time as YOURS.
I hope this answers your question and I wish you the best of luck in your Graphic Design career!