Graphic Design Student Asks for Advice on Getting Started in the Industry

[barzzeb49197134]

I am a graphic design student and I am about to enter the graphic design/artist industry and my interest is print, illustrations, web design, etc. and I was wondering if someone who's in the design field can give me some tips or advice and to get started?

[Nancy OShea]

#1 Learn color theory. 

Basic Color Theory

#2 Learn design theory.  The importance of white space, the Rule of Thirds, the Golden Ratio, Grids, Proportions, etc...

http://design.tutsplus.com/articles/50-totally-free-lessons-in-graphic-design-theory--psd-2916

#3 Learn to work with typography.  Serif, sans-serif fonts, kerning, sizing, spacing...

#4 Understand the medium you're working with (web, print, canvas, video, etc...)

Designing for print is not the same as designing for the web.  Different rules apply.  The main difference is print is static.  The size of the page doesn't change.  But on the web, people use all sorts of devices, display sizes and browser settings.  All this can wreak havoc to your web designs if you don't keep them flexible.   Also, some print concepts don't translate well to the web & vice versa.  IMO, designing for print is much easier than web design.

Nancy O.

[Nancy OShea]

Here's another link which explains the Golden Ratio.

How to Use the Golden Ratio in Design (with Examples)

Nancy O.

[barzzeb49197134]

Thanks, Nancy O. Is there any graphic design/artist communities that talk about graphic design?

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

Look at Behance, you'll find plenty of Graphic Designers there who post their work and solicit comments from other creatives.

Behance

When you're ready to post samples of your work, start an Adobe Portfolio page.

Adobe Portfolio | Build your own personalized website

It ties directly to Behance.  And Adobe Portfolio is free for Creative Cloud members.

I don't spend time in Graphics Designer forums.  I'm sure there are plenty of them though.

Nancy O.

[barzzeb49197134]

Is behance free?

[Nancy OShea]

It's part of your Creative Cloud membership.  Same Adobe ID and password.

Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe Behance FAQ

Nancy O.

[barzzeb49197134]

Will art directors in design studios/firms see the work I post in behance?

[John T Smith]

You should ask the other Behance users in that forum

List of Forums https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1929760 to find a forum for your program

-or Direct to the Forum Index https://forums.adobe.com/welcome

[Nancy OShea]

If you give them the URL.

[Pariah Burke]

Always be open to learning.

I've been a designer for a couple of decades now. I teach and consult on design and publishing. I write books on those subjects. Still, I constantly find new things to learn, new ideas about doing what I've done for so long, and new perspectives from my fellow creatives.

[barzzeb49197134]

I just got started posting my work in Behance.