5 Big Reasons Why You Should Quit Graphic Design

As a profession, graphic design also has its own risks that must be faced by those engaged in it. "Ah... the risks?! Wait! Yesta, are you saying the career I got 'stuck' with isn't good enough? Didn't you ever say it's fun to be a graphic designer? Wasn`t it supposed to be full of creativity and erhm… considered cool?"

Well, it may seem like it, but the fact is there are some important points related risks should be known by the graphic designers. The work we do as graphic designers isn't always thrilling. I'm sorry to say, but here are some of the main reasons why being a designer can be quite sucks.

Probably Five of the Best Reasons for Quitting Design World

1. Adaptation with everything

Graphic designers need to be able to adapt to each project received. This is the reason why a 'free style artist' can't be a graphic designer, he is supposed to be a pure artist. Why? because he tends fanatic by his visual style, so he will have great difficulty when he is confronted with several corporate projects with the demands of an elegant and clean in design. Graphic designer is just like a chameleon, which should be able to adapt well in any project. Therefore, extensive knowledge in various fields will be needed. This makes the graphic design into a tough profession, well at least in my opinion.

2.Technical Skills, Aesthetics, Ethics, Methods and... Even much more! Geez!

Are you convinced that only by mastering the graphics software such as Photoshop then you become a good graphic designer? Of course.. No. Don't expect to just learn to graphic software and all of sudden your some graphic designer. Graphic designers are also required to have a high aesthetic value and the ability to apply them visually, and of course the graphic designer should master the basic principles of design and basic use of graphic elements therein. For now, we leave aside the typography, color, and some ... whoops I mean a lot of other elements. But geez ... turned out to be a graphic designer must also be good at communicating, and have at least a minimum level of basic marketing skills. And remember, hand drawing skills are a great asset! Oh god, there's so much to be learned..but hey, this is not about mere technical skills, remember?

3. Life Seems Hard to Bear

Life's hard. It's even harder when you being a graphic designer. See why you get seriously MAD when when you're walking around on Saturday afternoon and found some advertising media showed irritating visuals. When you look at an DVD you'll craze simply because the font used on the cover looks tacky and outdated, again you complained and grumbled. And just think, would you run away from these things!? That is why a graphic designer as suddenly able to see ghosts, visual garbage everywhere!

4. No Time for Rest, Soldier!

When people with other professions relax and rejoice as holidays, the graphic designer is busy with their creative thinking. This is absolutely not a necessity, graphic designers are not required to think when they're not at work. But when you dive further into this field, you will get that creative thinking and find new ideas is a necessity, and it is inevitable. As an opiate, the brain will always be forced to continue to reap the harvest, to work hard, and it always requires innovative information to be consumed. Yet again, no time for rest, soldier!

5. Graphic What? Who cares?

The people out there are not that interested in graphic design. It's not a popular profession. Can you imagine, when so much needs to be learned by the graphic designer but no one else cares. It can be seen from the people appreciation of which tend to be low in the graphic design profession. They see graphic design as a sideline profession of students with some fun graphic softwares installed on their computers.

So how about you?

Do you agree with me? Do you still want to be a Graphic Designer? or are you thinking of quitting design world? Share your thoughts and comments!

Why Does Everyone Think They Are a Graphic Designer?

If you go to the dentist, do you dare to teach the correct way of pulling teeth to the dentist? Maybe, if once you were a dentist and know about this. What if you weren't? So why do many people want to "teach" how to design, to graphic designers?

Here is the problem, many people think that graphic design is just a job that requires an understanding of graphics software alone instead of ideas, concepts, and techniques delivering a message. And maybe they think we are just as construction laborers who are adept in mixing cement, preparing brick, and made a series of solid construction, but do not have the ability to create ideas and concepts to establish a building like an architect.



a Case

"This seems less suitable color, replace it with red!"
or
"The Font looks too normal, it makes me bored! Better use one that has a swirl.

If you are involved in graphics design, maybe you often hear similar comments from people around on your work. But unfortunately, these comments are not come from people who know and understand about graphic design, but from those who are laymen and not understand about graphic- design and technical delivery of messages through a visual artwork.



Why?

Everyone has individual taste of any object they see. hundred people can come up with a hundred different opinions on a single object. This is called an aesthetic consideration, which tastes leaning to what they thinks is good, beautiful and interesting. This is of course relative and subjective. And this is why many people are "patronizing" graphic designers about what is good and beautiful and attractive. Because people feel confident about what he thinks is good would be good by others too. Yeah, although it can't be denied, non-designers sometimes tastes better than the designer's own tastes.



The Solution?

To overcome this problem, designers must understand and be able to explain about what graphic design to the non-designer. Especially to the client, designers must have a reason for every graphic element is affixed on each design, including color, texture, form (shape), etc.. This will make them understand that designers work on certain techniques and methods in conveying messages visually instead of randomly placed any graphic elements into an artwork.

Occasionally, some clients become self-centered and encourage graphic designers to follow his aesthetic considerations that often damage the delivery of messages of a work. For example, clients like the fonts that unique but hard to read and even not relevant to the overall design content. If this happens, try to give explanations about it. Even if also still insist, just follow. After all, the client will lose itself. : D

Yup! so What do you think? If you have any experience or even related solutions to the problems above. Please share it via the comment section! :)

a Designer?

Computers, Photoshop, Leisure time. It seemed an appropriate thing to call yourself a 'designer' lately. I believe that many things needed to become a designer for more than a computer, software, and free time. Designer must have the critical thinking skills, understand basic - the basic design, have knowledge about the grid system, typography, and others.



Ability to think creatively

Designers must be able to think, reason, investigate, and to back up their design. Critical thinking is the backbone of the design. Critical thinking is what differentiates a designer with your 10 Years old client's cousin that can design a logo within five minutes on Photoshop'. Design without meaning or concept is just a decoration.

Understanding the basic design

Balance, proportion, rhythm, unity, etc.. The basis of these designs provide designers with the basic tools to produce an effective design. A good designer will use and manipulate specific basis to communicate their message.

Link : The Principles of Design – A brief intro

Knowledge of Design and Art History

Extensive knowledge of design and art history to give designers the foundation of inspiration and reference design solutions for new and innovative. Designing without the knowledge of what has been done before is very naive.

Link L Book: History of Graphic Design



Typography

Typography can provoke ideas, layout, or design. A good designer should have knowledge of typography and must be familiar with different classes of typefaces and how the aesthetic quality of these fonts in communicating a message.

Link : Basic Intro toTypography

Knowledge of the Grid system

Designers must recognize the various different types of grid systems and how they can bring into the organization and structure design. Without the grid system designs often end up with a mess.

Link: * The Grid System
* Book: Making and Breaking the Grid



Drawing & Sketch

The design process should begin with a sketch idea or mind mapping. However drawing usually reduces the time in the design process because it reduces the use of computers. There is a mediation between a pencil or pen when they meet a paper vs 'sketch' on the computer. A good designer designs ALWAYS start with a sketch.

Ability to communicate

One thing missing in my design education is associated with people, more specifically the client. Designers must be able to clearly communicate our design in a way where the client can understand without making them feel inferior

link: 13 Tips for Effective Communication With Clients

Knowledge of color theory

A designer must have strong knowledge about the color scheme, color harmony, and what they communicate.

link:
* Color: Meaning, Symbolism and Psychology
* dos and don’ts – colour
* Video: Color Harmonies

Work ethic and Patience

Design is a process that does not happen instantaneously. Creativity that we consider easy at times - sometimes makes things difficult. Designers must comply with their work ethic and patience are important things that needed to see from the revised design concept to final result.

Willingness to learn

Industrial designs are always changing and evolving. Daily updated technology to encourage designers to create innovative solutions for a new medium. Designers must have a willingness to maintain their skills remain sharp at all times such as push yourself to learn new skills, new software and new techniques.

So, how do you guys think? :)