learning design
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- youngdesigner
As someone starting out in the field, most of what I learned about design is from blogs like Smashing Magazine and Web Design Depot. Besides these, what are some of the best sites for learning design?
- e-pill0
it depends on what you are designing. are you looking for a site with step by step tutorials or are you looking for advice?
- e-pill0
did you goto school or have any sort of training or have you had any professional experience in your field? usually on the job is best.. as you will need to problem solve and that challenge leads to great learning.
- ifeltdave0
What epill said.. learning on the job is the best.
Your most important skill to learn? Patience. Seriously.. be patient while you learn, and be eager. Accept the fact that you know nothing and that you are basically shit. It's gonna take time just like everything else.
As for sites... again, depends on what you're looking for. Tutorials, inspiration, job posts.. wide range of stuff out there.
- Amicus0
Remember not to focus on just the tangible skills like coding or using photoshop, but actually delve deep into things like typography, colour, grids, accessibility and semiotics. Otherwise all you are doing is creating something that looks ok, but isn't actually solving a problem. (You'll probably cause more problems that should be fixed later, but the client won't have the budget yada yada yada...)
- formed0
siteInspire is pretty good.
#1 lesson for anyone in any design profession (including architecture, where I come from): study the best.
Never, ever, assume that you "know best" and dismiss someone/some firm that is well respected. You might not like their style or approach, but understand what/why they are respected.
Both seasoned pros and beginners overlook this all to often and think that they are "original" or that they don't want to "contaminate" their ideas with other's work. Bullshit.
Suggestion - build a library (screen shots, etc.) of all those that are at the top of each profession (web, graphic, motion, etc.). Organize and study their work. Learn what others "see" and appreciate in each company, ask questions like you just did, read, read, read, read, study, study, study.
There are plenty of good books out there on design. As mentioned, don't worry about the technical skills, understand the fundamentals (grids, composition, etc.).
Personally, I think it is extremely difficult to really understand design without some (good) formal education. Critiques are a part of the process and, without them, you will not really know if your work is good/bad, could be improved, etc.
There are exceptions, of course, and a 'bad' crit is worse than none at all, though, so your girl friend's opinion could be more damaging than helpful.
- inteliboy0
Try and get away from the internet if you don't already -- just try different things and you'll probably get obsessed with something and find your own "voice" to set a part from other designers. Read books, mags, nature, scanning textures, materials etc.
Agreed that formal education is a great thing - not so much for the learning, but the networks & friends you make and how it will effect you for the rest of your career really...
- mydo0
Wow a QBN thread with sensible advice!
There is two things here, one is learning PS and what fonts look nice with what colour etc. and the other is understanding design.my biggest inspiration and boost has been people i've studied with or worked with. just being around these people will grow your understanding. My old creative director was always pushing me to find better answers. (his questions or design problems).
If you can stand up to a designer you respect and tell them why your design rocks, and they agree, you've got it.
- honest0
Best advice I got in Uni – make mistakes on other peoples' time, learn from that before you start out on your own.
- Amicus0
Find out who really makes the decisions, and if you can't work with that person directly you better hope you are designing a camel.
- monNom0
My best advise is to be prodigious in your personal work. Push the limits of your knowledge on every personal project, and work through road-blocks resulting from lack of knowledge with persistence and study. You're not learning if your not making mistakes. Make lots of mistakes, but most of all find out why things went wrong and what you could have done instead.
Study related fields, learn to paint and draw well.
If you can't get a job in design yet, get a job in sales - personal interaction and 'selling' your ideas is a big part of being a professional designer.
If you can get a job in design, shoot for one in a busy mid-sized office where you'll have the opportunity to touch a lot of projects, and learn on the job. Paying jobs have less room for mistakes, so it's important to have side projects that you can blow up spectacularly on.