When I talk about being a graphic designer people often see the creative side of the job and want to know what it's like creating art and designing for a living. The reality of the profession is that not only is it filled with opportunities to showcase your skills as a creative, but it also demands a complex knowledge of software and technology to bring your creative thoughts to life.
Let's talk about design tools. We live and breathe software like the Adobe Suite. It's like having a massive toolbox with tons of gadgets, but you gotta know how to use each one like a pro. The Adobe Suite and other pieces of design software are packed with tools and can take years and years of experience to truly master. Each piece of design is a puzzle in which one has to form a cohesive piece using tools, features, shortcuts, and plugins.
Sometimes, it's less about creating art and more about being a tech wizard. As a designer you’ll find yourself troubleshooting and problem solving, trying to find out how to format animations for the web, or convert mp4s to Webm, but it needs an alpha channel! And After Effects doesn’t export to Webm! Now you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of years old plugins and YouTube tutorials!
In such instances, designers embark on a journey of exploration and experimentation. Hard work, often involving intricate workflows spanning multiple software platforms. The eventual triumph over technical hurdles underscores the symbiotic relationship between creativity and technology.
With more and more designs being made for the digital space, it's important to appreciate the relationship between technology and design. In the realm of graphic design, while important, it's not all about brushstrokes and color palettes; it's about knowing your tools inside and out and being proficient in them. From mastering the ins and outs of software like the Adobe Suite to tackling technical challenges head-on, being a designer demands both creative flair and technical know-how.
So, the next time you dive into a project, remember the importance of knowing your tools and embracing your problem-solving skills—it's the secret sauce that turns ideas into reality.