We often get asked 'Do Graphic Designers need amazing Drawing skills?In short, the answer is NO. You can still become a successful Graphic Designer and not be good at drawing.
In this post, we will cover:
- What is Graphic Design
- Design rules to follow
- Design Softwares to Master
- The benefits of basic sketches
- Tools to help you to draw
Listen along to our Podcast or continue reading to
learn more about the skills you will need to
become a graphic designer
What is graphic design?
A Graphic designer's job is to create engaging
compositionsto either sell a product, service or promote
a message.
Graphic Designers do not need to draw but instead need to create appealing designs using assets such as images, typography, illustrations.
In contrast, an Illustrator will focus on drawing to communicate a message.
Key Terms :Composition (also referred to as Layout, Artwork, Design) means theplacement or arrangement of visual elementson a blank page.
Core Skills for a Graphic Designer
1.Basic sketching skills
As a Graphic Designer, you must be able to think creatively, and one of the best ways to improve your creativity is through sketching. Sketches are rough drawing used by designers for planning and productivity. The drawings do not need to be perfect but instead think of a visual way to get ideas down on paper.
Here are some examples to explain this further!
As the above example shows, you can create rough thumbnail style sketches to indicate the placement of images, type or other elements. You can then share your sketches with your team/boss to get their feedback before moving to the actual design.
This method will help you to have the right direction and, improve productivity and even avoid any creative block.
When it comes to creating logos, most designers will start with 10-20 (or even 30) very rough sketches. The client may only like 3, so instead of designing so many variations in Adobe Illustrator, you can focus on developing the three chosen ideas before producing the final one.
The sketching process will add clarity, save time and improves productivity in every project.
Bonus: Drawing skills Apps
Although many graphic designers don't draw, with so manydrawing appsnow readily available, many have started to explore creating digital illustrations.
Do you want to start drawing? I have listed a few useful tutorials below to get you started in drawing, focusing on digital illustrations.
2. Learn the Basic Design Theory!
To become a successful graphic designer, you need to learn the principles of design and have a good understanding of design theory. The more you design, the better you will come to understand them.
7 Key Design Principle
- Scale:Draws attention to design elements, creates emphasis.
- Hierarchy:Helps users to navigate your design, signals the importance of different elements.
- Contrast:Light vs Dark, Thick vs Thin, helps make design elements' pop.'
- Direction:Create a path and direct viewer in 'Z' 'L' and 'Y' shapes.
- Negative Space:Leave blank space between elements to give it some breathing space.
- Repetition:Helps to tie elements together within a composition and adds consistency
- Balance:Proportions within a design that distributes elements equally. Symmetry is a perfect balance, while asymmetry creates tension.
3.Master the Design Application
Finally, it would help if you Mastered Design applications.Top 3 software to Master as a designer are:
- Adobe Photoshop - Ideal for Photo Editing
- Adobe Illustrator - Ideal for Vector illustration
- Adobe InDesign - Ideal for layout and page design
Learning these applications will help you to work on projects such as Logo and Branding, Editorial (magazine, books) Advertising, Web Design, and so much more!
Learning to Draw will undoubtedly be an advantage to your career, the more skills you have as a designer; the more opportunities will open up. Although you do not need to be great at drawing, it is advisable to have at least simple sketching skills, which will improve your creativity and productivity.
UP NEXT
We will highlight six key steps to help you define your illustration style.
About the author
Shumi Perhiniak
Shumi is a self-taught graphic designer and illustrator who has worked for Toni&Guy, Renaissance Learning, Baker Ross, and many others. Additionally, she owned a brick-and-mortar stationery shop selling her art prints and now sells wholesale to retailers and online shops under the brand name www.herdesignworld.com.
I'm an experienced graphic designer with a deep understanding of the field, having honed my skills through practical application and continuous learning. My expertise encompasses various aspects of graphic design, from conceptualization to execution. I've worked on diverse projects, ranging from branding and editorial design to web design, and I've stayed abreast of the latest design software and trends.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article by Shumi Perhiniak titled "Do Graphic Designers Need Amazing Drawing Skills?" published on May 18, 2020.
1. Graphic Design Defined:
- Definition: Graphic design involves creating engaging compositions to sell products, services, or promote a message.
- Components: Designers use assets like images, typography, and illustrations rather than focusing on drawing.
2. Core Skills for a Graphic Designer:
-
Basic Sketching Skills:
- Designers benefit from basic sketching to enhance creativity and plan projects.
- Examples: Thumbnail sketches for layout planning, rough logo sketches to explore ideas.
- Purpose: Facilitates feedback, improves productivity, and avoids creative blocks.
-
Drawing Skills Apps:
- While not a necessity, drawing apps are increasingly explored by graphic designers.
- Advice: Several tutorials are provided to help beginners start digital illustration.
3. Learn Basic Design Theory:
- Design Principles:
- Scale: Draws attention and creates emphasis.
- Hierarchy: Guides users and signals the importance of elements.
- Contrast: Enhances visibility through light-dark, thick-thin variations.
- Direction: Creates paths and guides viewers.
- Negative Space: Adds breathing space between elements.
- Repetition: Ties elements together for consistency.
- Balance: Distributes elements proportionally within a design.
4. Master Design Applications:
- Key Software:
- Adobe Photoshop: Ideal for photo editing.
- Adobe Illustrator: Ideal for vector illustration.
- Adobe InDesign: Ideal for layout and page design.
- Applications: Useful for various design projects like logo and branding, editorial, advertising, and web design.
5. Importance of Drawing Skills:
- Advantage: Learning to draw is an advantage for a graphic designer.
- Recommendation: While not mandatory to be great at drawing, having simple sketching skills can improve creativity and productivity.
In conclusion, the article emphasizes that graphic designers don't necessarily need exceptional drawing skills but should focus on mastering design principles, essential skills, and relevant software to excel in the field. The ability to sketch, even at a basic level, is highlighted as beneficial for creativity and project planning.
