The book “ How to be a Graphic Designer without losing your soul” written by Adrian Shaughnessy was a success in 2005. That helped and nourish the graphic designers around the world. This book is kinda a road map for young graphic designers, the author explains very well and gives practical advice for the fresh graduate students or those who want to change their careers path to enter into graphic design. And most importantly not lose his soul and find his way in this field. Which direction do you want to take? What do you want to do? Who do you want to work with? Where do you start? How to overcome setbacks, failures, rejections? Are you willing to put in the work and also be patient during the creative process? Clients? The business partner? Your work? Yourself?
So, what are the keys to becoming an effective Graphic Designer without losing your soul?
As time goes by, the internet evolves. Being just a talented Graphic Designer is cool but now it is not enough. Why? Because the Graphic Designer needs more skills in this field like cultural awareness, communication skills, integrity and mostly important hard work and dedication. Be aware, be curious of what is going on around in the world. We used to live in our comfort zone, and we don’t take time to take an interest in other areas like politics, entertainment, technology etc. And this can bring us some inspirations we seek for design projects. Communication and integrity are part of a Graphic design job. Be able to listen and how to deal with other designers or non-designer. This can go a long way in your career.
But for designers, there is far more important consideration. We need to start how to be a graphic designer
Designers are creative people who can do much more with their imagination but they need a good strategy on research, analysis, and creativity and it’s part of the creative process. Like the author says: “We don’t always know where ideas come from or why they appear, yet we know they are right”.
Learning how to be a graphic designer
You have different options to start your career like Working-in-house, Apprenticeship, Internship, Freelance, Work in a design studio etc. They are not good or bad to start at an early stage. You are gonna make some mistakes, take the wrong direction and so on…
If you know it, feel it and trust your instinct… Go for it! Like the author says: ”My point here is that I believe there is nearly a valid alternative way of doing everything, and if by doing things your own way and following your own instincts you choose to travel down a different path, then go ahead”.
Trust your personality, and trust your work
How to deal with clients?
Every client is different, their needs are different and their projects are mostly complex. But you can learn how to be a good designer to attract “good” clients.
The best , and only way to work effectively with clients is to build a partnership based on equality. there are no bad clients, only clients turned into bad clients by bad designers
Don’t give up on your creative process!
It can be scary, discomfort even painful. That’s why creativity is all about going out of your comfort zone. Don’t wish to avoid failures, it’s part of the process. And you need that to grow and to continue to be a better person and better designer. I know it is easier to say that done and nothing is guaranteed at 100% but there is no perfect way to start a creative journey.
How to be a graphic designer today without losing your soul?
Don’t be afraid to be yourself, no need to be original but with a good portfolio.