Staying competitive in today’s market is a mandatory requirement for all working professionals, graphic design is no different. Designers have to be on top of their game if they are going to survive in this cut throat job market. A very basic and fundamental way of staying competitive is by being on top of the latest developments in your field of expertise. In other words, improve your designer knowledge.

We are highlighting 5 very simple and cost effective methods that graphic designers can use to improve themselves as expert craftsmen. So without further ado, here they are:

1.    Follow the Gurus

Graphic design is a field where self proclaimed gurus don’t last long, which is good news for the average logo designer. There are a handful of big names in the graphic design industry who are worldly renowned for their craftsmanship, vast knowledge and practical experience. People like David Sherwin, Jacob Cass and David Airey are the heavy weights of the graphic design industry; they actively post content online and share their experiences. Follow them on social media websites and learn from their experiences. It will be worthwhile.

2.    Attend Webinars

Webinars are a great source of information and can expand a designer’s knowledge. Seminars are also a great option; however they usually cost money and only take place in specific locations worldwide. Webinars are mostly free and those that do cost money tend to be very affordable. The additional benefit of attending a webinar is that you attend from the comfort of your home.

3.    Graphic Design eBooks

The internet has completely changed how we do things today, particularly when it comes to learning. Buying expensive books and hauling them back and forth seem to be a thing of the past. In comparison, graphic design eBooks are extremely cheap (if not free) and easily accessible from the internet. Plus, you can carry them around in your iPhone or via USB flash drive. There are many websites that you can download free eBooks from, which are loaded with good information.

4.    Follow Graphic Design Blogs

You will find no shortage of graphic design blogs online but not all of them provide worthwhile content. There are only a handful of good ones that have established themselves over the years as an authority platform on the subject of logo and graphic design. Subscribe to their email newsletter or follow them on Twitter and other social media sites.

5.    Affordable Design Tutorials

This is one of the best methods to not only learn new things, but also to check and recheck your existing knowledge. YouTube is one of the best places to find affordable graphic design tutorials, along with various blogs and forums that provide such info. There are many Edu channels on YouTube for graphic designers and videos available online which you can easily benefit from as well.

We hope that you will find the above given information helpful. If you are a graphic designer, you should already be practicing these methods. These approaches are meant to set you apart from the competition and give you an edge over other designers who are also competing for the same projects as you are.

Every profession comes with its own code of ethics, rules and regulations that must be adhered to at all times. Graphic design is no different. In fact this is one of those rare fields where ethics and moral values are just as important as artistic skill and creativity. There is no room for logo theft or plagiarism whatsoever; such practices are fiercely looked down upon.

The Curious Case of Derivative Design Concepts

Lack of skill and imagination in any field will lead to shortcut approaches. The same is true for the graphic design arena and derivative logos are one example of a shortcut. These designs are the end results of designers using clip art, images and other people’s work as their own. Designers who do this usually deny doing so and say they were only using these images for “inspiration.” However, fact of the matter is that derivative logo designs are usually caught, leading to trademark infringement and a bad reputation for the logo designer.

A good logo designer should have enough depth in his creativity and thought process to never resort to such tactics.

Why Designers Should Avoid Derivative Design Concepts

The very fact that this approach carries a high risk of trademark infringement should be enough to keep all logo designers at bay. One significant indication of derivative concepts is that when people see your work they are instantly reminded of some other work. Recognition is a vital factor behind a designer’s thought process. The last thing s/he wants is to be remembered for creating something that has great visual aesthetics but was also someone else’s work.

Good for Instant Recognition, But Bad for Long Term

Remember the logo from Jonathan Mak which he revealed just after the death of Steve Jobs as a tribute to the Apple Co-founder? He became a celebrity overnight. However, a few weeks later it was revealed that another designer, Chris Thornley, had come up with a same concept months earlier. He even posted the image on his blog. This created a huge controversy and lot of critsism from thousands of people around the world; many of whom blamed Mak for ‘ripping off’ an original design.

Don’t let this happen to you!

Good Designers Don’t Steal – So, what should Designers do?

• Push your creativity to the limit and come up with your own, original stuff.
• Feel free to take inspiration from other work, but ask yourself what you can do to keep it completely unique.
• Do extensive research about the logo you are about to design, including studying the client’s industry, their competitors and other important aspects.
• Take your time. It can take days for something cool to spark. Don’t rush into projects and allow yourself sufficient time to gather information by researching thoroughly.

Being unique and creative are two of the best compliments that every logo designer wants to hear and strives hard to earn. When it comes to graphic design, it is always best to take the longer approach because in this field slow and steady win the race.

Ever had one of those days when it seems impossible to do anything productive? Ever felt completely down in the dumps and failed to come up with the simplest of solutions? If you are suffering from symptoms similar to these then don’t fret, it’s nothing uncommon – You are simply down on your Mojo.

If you are a graphic designer experiencing creative loss, there is good news! It’s temporary and you can get your mojo back. Here are some tips and tricks that will help you get back on track.

1. Breathe – Now Get Up and Take a Walk!

You can’t get your creative mojo back by sitting and staring at the computer screen. Once you realize that you are facing a creative block you need to do something refreshing to overcome it. Many designers tend to go into denial and force themselves to work on a project. If your creative juices aren’t flowing, let it be! Get up, shake yourself, put on your shoes and go out for a walk. Wander around your city for hour or two. Sometimes vigorous exercise helps too.

2. Relax – Grab Your Pillow and Sleep

If walking doesn’t work then simply shut down your computer, switch off that loud TV and take off the thundering headphones. Staying away from the digital demons sometimes helps take a load off of your mind. Opt for a good and relaxing sleep instead. You will wake up refreshed and perhaps even calmer. The main idea is to let your mind move away from work for some time and sleep is one of the best ways to do it.

3. Identify Triggers – Deal with Stress

You cannot relax if you don’t deal with the triggers that cause you to stress and keep you from working properly. Most of the times, our personal problems and conflicts are the reasons behind a creative mojo loss. Could it be a recent breakup, a conflict with someone close, a failed exam, a lost project or even a dissatisfied client or job? Any of these can trigger a block.

4. Hang Out – Go See Fun People

The best thing to do when you are low on your mojo is to find people who can motivate you without adding to your depression. Spend time with fun people (be it family or friends) go watch a movie, enjoy a drink, or just relax – it won’t be long till you have your groove back.

5. Believe – Trust Yourself and Your Abilities

Just because you have had a few ups and downs lately doesn’t mean that you are a failure. You need to believe in yourself and in the fact that no one is perfect. Trust in your abilities and know that you can handle the problematic issues of your life without losing your self confidence. This will help you take a breather for a while.

Take it Easy – The next time you lose your creative mojo, don’t panic. Take a few days break from designing and just relax. Most of the time a mojo loss is just your mind’s way of asking you to take a well deserved break. You need to understand that a creative block is just a bad phase which will evaporate if you let your mind off work for a while. Look at your loss of mojo as a temporary blessing in disguise. You get time to enjoy and do things which you would not have done otherwise!

What helps you get your Creative Mojo back? Share your story with us.

New logo designers may be under the notion that the more complicated and colorful a logo design is, the more it will be appreciated. This is one of the first mistakes that can be made. When these designs are used to participate in logo design contests and none of these initial designs are accepted by clients, some are left confused and disappointed.

Amateur logo designers tend to make a few mistakes at first, which can become disastrous for them in the long run. Two other mistakes some designers make is avoiding to learn the basics of design and/or they don’t have a creative design process to follow. In today’s post I’ve decided to educate fellow designers about the 13 critical mistakes that can kill any logo design. Read on to make sure that you are not guilty of these mistakes.

1. Lack of Process & Planning

Very few logo designers spend time doing research about the industry of the client they are working for. Even fewer realize the importance of a creative logo design process. In professional logo designing, research and sketching comes before creating a logo on the computer. Jumping on the computer without sketching and basic planning is a failed design waiting to happen.

2. Neglecting the Essence of Logo

A logo represents the essence of a company, what it stands for and what message it wants to convey to its audience. Be sure to think from a potential customer’s perspective. What would a certain image mean to you? What will your first impression of the logo design be? Focus not only on the design, but on the meaning.

3. Following Trends Blindly

Following all design trends will most likely lead to outdated design concepts. Create designs that can stand the test of time and will look great even a century later. Example: The Coca-Cola logo still looks good a hundred years after its creation.

4. Creating Complicated Designs

Filling your logo design with too many colors and shapes is a big mistake. Simplicity is the best way to go. If you think that creating a complicated design will win you a logo design contest, at times, you are wrong. Simple logos tend to be the most memorable. Want an example? Think of the logos of McDonald’s or Nike.

5. Being a Copy Cat

Are you an inspired designer or a copy cat? Inspiration is when your original idea had influence from things around you, all while keeping in mind the client’s perspective. To be a copy cat means you have copied pieces of another person’s design work. Copying another designer’s concept is dishonest and shows your lack of creativity. Be Original, Be Creative, Be Unique!

6. Using Clichéd Images

Using airplane images for a travel logo design, hammers for construction logos or books for education logos is seen as redundant and clichéd. Try to be innovative. Use special characters, unique metaphors or abstract symbols to create an identity. You don’t want your client’s design to become lost in the crowd.

7. Adding Special Effects

Graphic design expert Jacob Cass says, “If a logo requires color or special effects to make it a strong logo, it’s not a strong logo.”

If your design is strong it will look great in black and white, as well as in full color. Lose the colors and see where your logo stands.

8. Using Clipart & Stock Images

Successful logo designers never use clipart or stock. Clipart images are visually poor and will give the design an unprofessional look. Avoid clipart, stock vector images or anything similar and create your own, custom images. The client will fully appreciate your design’s individuality.

9. Typography Issues

Using the wrong font and inappropriate style can ruin a perfectly good design. In a logo design, the typography has to be industry specific. Otherwise the meaning could be completely lost. For instance, using Comic Sans for a law firm logo has more of a childish feel, it does not portray a serious, successful and professional law firm.

10. Hurrying to Create a Logo

Most logos fail when designers do not spend quality time to create and ignore the importance of having a design process.  A design that is made in a short amount of time tends to be unsuccessful. Your speed doesn’t determine your efficiency. Logo designing is an art that requires understanding and research, which requires time.

11. Lack of Communication with Clients

Most amateur designers do not understand the importance of communication and get offended at the slightest bit of criticism. They don’t discuss their ideas with their clients and give no creative input. This is not healthy if you want a client to understand your point of view. Communication is the key to success. Explain to the client what you are trying to achieve in your logo design concepts and take their criticism positively. Remember, criticism is just another person’s opinion.

12. Sending Raster Files

Raster files tend to become pixilated when scaled or sized for various printing needs. Always send your client the vector format file of your design. This will allow your client to print the logo on a small business card, a large billboard, t-shirts or any other item without affecting the quality.

13. Not Cleaning Up the Logo

Before sending out the design to your client, make sure that it is neat. Any extra twirls or any excessive colors must be removed. Sending out a messy design discredits you as a professional, thus you want to spend time with the finishing touches and in finalizing it.

Avoid making these errors and learn from others. Learning these lessons will be crucial if you want to establish a long term, professional career.

Share with us, what you have learned during your career as a designer?

Some believe that creative geniuses are born, while others believe that creativity is a learned behavior. Your attitude and the way you see things are two aspects that contribute to what makes you creative.

Creative graphic designers are known for their ability to adapt to all kind of situations and not allowing criticism to render them short.  They have a multitude of qualities that many lack.

Here are twelve traits of seriously creative graphic designers:

1. Highly Motivated – Creative graphic designers are motivated by the task at hand rather than by material rewards. They find motivation in the challenge that a task presents rather than allowing the material benefits to dictate what they do.
2. Very Imaginative – They stand out from the crowd. While others follow the latest trends and find inspiration in other people’s work, the creative graphic designers find inspiration in everyday things and themselves.
3. Brutally Honest – Self criticism is a quality many people fail to find a balance in. They either end up being too critical of themselves or become over confident about being the best. Being brutally honest with oneself requires asking the right questions throughout the creative design process. This is one of the leading traits of successful designers.
4. Truly Passionate – Passion tends to be the main driving force behind creativity. You have to love what you do in order to do it well. Unless you are passionate about what you do, you will not be able to completely focus on the task at hand and soon get tired of it.
5. Adore Challenges – Creative graphic designers do not shy away from challenges. They let their curiosity get the best of them, allowing them to ask questions and discover things most of us overlook. This curiosity gets them intrigued by challenges and they are able to tackle them head on.
6. Manage Time – Time management can become a challenge for many graphic designers who take on multiple projects and fail to deliver on time, leading to a lack in creativity. A good graphic designer would assess his/her current workload and is realistic in his approach towards work so every project s/he takes can be given its due time.
7. Find a Balance – Creative designers know how to strike a balance between being play and organized. They know how to be fun enough to experiment with various concepts and serious enough to implement them professionally. They combine the carefree fantasy with the right amount of realty based perspective.
8. Good Communicator – Being a good communicator plays a major role in the success of any designer. Prompt interaction with the client and keeping them in the loop regarding the developments and new ideas is critical to a project’s success. Doing so will help strengthen your designer-client relationship.
9. Professional Attitude – Good graphic designers know that there is a fine line between being confident and being arrogant. They don’t let their confidence get the best of them and are open to suggestions and ideas given by the client.
10. Can Take Criticism – Criticism is just another person’s opinion. Learn to take it positively as it will help you grow and understand things better. Successful graphic designers know how to accept criticism and understand that it is part of the learning process, not to be taken personally.
11. Keep Learning – Designing is a lifelong process. It is not something you can learn in a few months or a couple of years. As the graphic design industry continues to evolve, only the ones who keep up with the developments can stay ahead in the game. The minute you stop learning is the minute you sign yourself up for failure.
12. Push their Limits­ – Pushing your boundaries, thinking outside the box and allowing yourself to experiment is all part of the learning experience as a creative graphic designer.

All these traits are part of a successful graphic designer’s personality and play an imperative role in transforming an individual into a designer extraordinaire. Can you think of any other trait a winning graphic designer might have? Be sure to drop in a line. We love to know your opinion!

A well crafted logo design is the face of your business thus, the responsibility of having a fantastic and unique logo design is important.  This does not only lie in the hands of the designer but also with the client.   Both should know what makes a logo design successful.

So, what exactly are the secrets to a successful logo design? Read on to find out!

1. Simplicity is the Best Policy

Have you ever taken a look at the logos of major brands and industries?   From Coke to Toyota, you’ll notice that all have quite simple logos. There is nothing flashy to any of them. Most new logo designers have a creative adrenaline to design with a jumble of graphics, text and colors.  What they don’t is that a clustered design does not typically click well with the perceptions of a customer.

2. Color Smart

In a logo design, every color has its own purpose, meaning and essence.  While some creative businesses require the use of splashy colors, others require very basic colors.  Examples of colors that can be seen to reflect professionalism are light blue, white, silver, and so on.   The colors you choose will represent your business, so be sure about what you choose.

3. Power of Words

Text plays a critical role in logo designing.  The fonts you use must reflect the professional aspect of the business, but must also be legible.  Many company logos are based on the company’s initials, rather than a graphical image. Text, if designed properly, could act as a standalone logo.   A classic example of this is Mc Donald’s logo.

4. Flexibility and Scalability

In terms of size, your logo design should be flexible and scalable. It should be flexible enough to retain its quality if shrunk or expanded.  The logo designer should understand that logos will not only go on websites or a business card, but the client might want to later add it to other means of different sizes.  Therefore, they must be designed to be scalable. Vector graphics are most suitable for this purpose.

5. Back to the Future

A logo should be able to stand the test of time.  10 years down the road it should still have an exceptional or contemporary look, instead of one that is outdated.   It’s important not to have your logo solely based around the latest trends.  As trends die, your logo will start looking outdated. An example of a logo that has stood against the test of time is Coca-Cola!

Every successful logo design relies heavily on the effective and creative use of images, colors and text.  If there is clear communication between client and designer, the business will have an amazing logo to flaunt.