subject: 7 Qualities you need to be a Respectable Graphic Designer [print this page] 7 Qualities you need to be a Respectable Graphic Designer
To be or not to be an immeasurable Computer graphics designer that is surely a vexing proposal.Mr Shakespeare once said. Well he most likely wrote it in truth. With any technologically stimulated practice there are probably only a very few available positions that carry with them the elevated status of a super hero with matching salary.
So it's verily a case of slings and arrows to coax your way into the topmost level. Let's have a quick look-see at the 7 qualities you need to be a respectable Visuals Designer NO. let's paraphrase that and let's go for broke and be an Excellent Graphics Designer.
I mean why settle for Solid when you can be Skillful and a super hero and give up work at 37! Heed how the number 7 keeps cropping up something to do with Nostradamus I shouldn't wonder!
All Graphic Designers are equal but some are very much more equal than others. We thought we would just slip in a curved ball here to keep you reading because well, lets face it, Graphic Design is not exactly the most enticing subject to be reading about is it. So you can reckon what it's like writing about it. So now we have concluded that there could be a pecking order it's exigent that we, I mean YOU, aim to be the head Rooster. And that is no easy task. I mean you've got all those stodgy and irascible Clients and all those
Innovative
Directors and then there's the Canteen lady to contend with as well, with her weak coffee and inadequate comments about the color of your tie!
Ok time for some real meat, and horror of horrors, that Designers' nightmare the Bullet Points! 7 I think we said would do just excellent. It's problematical to put qualities in any order of importance since one Designers' "must have" quality could be a complete "no no" for another. There has to be some consensus here don't you think? So what we'll do is put them in Alphabetical order and then there won't be any argument! As it so happens probably the one quality that reigns supreme and conveniently begins with An is Artistic ability so here we go.
Artistic Ability
Being of the Artistic persuasion doesn't mean you have to draw like Picasso! Sketching or doodling can easily be turned into a masterpiece by your Cpu!
Audience
We are not talking here about a meeting at the Vatican, desirable though that would be on the CV of a prospective Respectable Graphics designer, but of the Target Market. An Immeasurable Graphics Designer must be aware of the Audience that is being aimed at, so that the designs can be steamrollered as a consequence. Sorry that should have read integrated! Integration is immeasurable and beneficial.
Intercommunication
Many artistically inclined designers, like any original personage, sometimes find it torturous to put their ideas across verbally...hence the need for graphic ability. So when a pitch is in the offing to that provoking customer or client, I think client sounds better, and will of course mean a higher fee at the end of the day, you might need to employ an interpreter with at least one semester of Oxford English under the table. Communication skills should be a must if you are to reach Head Rooster status
Change
We live in a world of fast moving change. Change is a pain for some and a challenge for an Immeasurable Graphics designer; let's forget Immeasurable for a moment and become great to start with. That won't overtax the artistic and inspired brain to the point of melt down just yet, so that's agreed then! Change and the ability to absorb the changing whims of clients and the changing specifications of your project at a moments notice, is an essential part of your Respectable Designers Starter Pack.
Clients Needs
Yes I know clients are such a nuisance, oddly when you are working on a new logo for the largest social media site in the Universe and need all your inspired energies focused on this. But.and it's a big but, some clients of course do pay for your output occasionally and put croissants and fair trade coffee on your breakfast table, so let's be fair and at least listen to clients needs and wants.
Zero hours
Periods are an sad part of all life on this sphere called Earth! They affect every living thing, even profitable Graphic Designers. It's just not possible to function without them. Clients have zero hours, the Productive Director has deadlines , even the Tea Lady has deadlines. So get used to it! If you want in future to aspire to immeasurable as a Designer then Deadline should be your middle name. Tough though it is, you have to put your Fly-fishing trip on hold and work all weekend most of the time and it's not because you are time management challenged. It's those pesky Clients again, who else?
Strategy
The substantial Graphics Designer has got to come to terms with becoming a projector. Apart from its sounding profitable in your vocabulary, developing ideas and amalgamating the strategic plan of your Client into Your ideas and concepts are clearly an important quality if you want to reach the crowning point. Clients will bend to your expert and first-class knowledge as a projector and you will fly with the Eagles. Since we are restricted to 7 bullet proof virtues we'll cheat and add a couple more here under guise of Strategy. Teamwork and Technology don't always make great bedfellows but don't leave them out in the cold. After all you have to work with your Team every day and you probably also use a Computer.
Becoming a Solid Graphics Designer, you can pat yourself on the back. Becoming Immeasurable will take just a little longer but you know you can do it!
