Blog Designers

Tuesday, 27 August 2013

Disadvantages of being a Graphic Designer

Everything has its Advantages and Disadvantages below are the Disadvantage

Graphic design is a wonderfully creative field to explore. When the work is coming in and the clients are good, it can be the best job in the world. However, there are several downsides to being a member in this field.

The Disadvantages of Graphic Design

Freelancing
If you freelance, you're on your own - and that means that unless you market yourself and are able to manage clients in a businesslike fashion, your work opportunities will be limited. You will also be responsible for paying your own taxes and insurance, which can be a hefty drain.

Corporate
While you may have entered the design field because you love to create, a corporate design job often offers little leeway for your own creativity. You will be designing to a client's specifications, not your own - expect to have to make revisions.

Value of Design
Not every company will place the same value on good graphic design; that's why there are so many poor designs in even the highest levels of advertising. The problem is that companies will pay relating to that value and you can easily undersell yourself by doing far too much work for far too little pay.

Everyone's a Designer
With a fresh influx of new graphic design interns becoming full-fledged designers every graduation season, it is easy to have your prices undercut in the freelance and corporate markets. Businesses will often opt to create their own designs as a money-saving tactic rather than hire a professional.

The Shrinking Market
Many problems relating to freelancing are eliminated by taking a permanent position at a design studio, who do the marketing and client negotiations for you. However, these jobs are hotly competed for, so they fill very quickly.

Graphic Design Tools You Need To Get Started

A Computer

In today's design world, a computer is essential. It will be both your design tool and your business tool. Using graphics software, you will create illustrations, work with type, touch-up photos and complete layouts. The major decision here is what computer to get, and this generally starts with deciding between a Mac and PC.

Software

Graphics and business-related software are also a key to your success. Some products, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, focus on the creative end of design. Other packages, such as project management or time tracking software, will help you stay organized and manage the business end of design.

Graphic Design Books

It's very helpful to build up your own small library of graphic design books. Some should be for inspiration, some for technical help, and others to assist you on the business side of design.

A Sketchpad

While you're most likely to use a computer to complete a design, you don't have to start with one. Sketching out ideas is a great way to begin a project and brainstorm, and can be much quicker than mocking something up on a computer. It's also important to always keep a small sketchpad or notepad handy, as you can forget a great idea as fast as you thought of it.

Other Creative Professionals

While you may not think of them as a "tool," knowing other designers, illustrators, web developers, photographers and other creatives is extremely important for three reasons:

It's not easy to critique yourself. Get opinions on your work and encourage constructive criticism to push your work to a higher level.
Having others around to brainstorm with can bring about the best ideas.
As you get projects that are more involved, you will need people to collaborate with. Find a group of people you can trust with different skillsets than your own so you can work on projects together.

These essential tools will help you get started, and grow, in a career in graphic design. All you need to do now is combine them with your creativity!