Inexpensive Ways to Increase Your Design Knowledge

By Michael Baker , May 8 2012
design knowledge

Image Source: vectorstock.com

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

Guru
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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

Attend Webinars
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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

Graphic Design eBooks
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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

Follow Graphic Design Blogs
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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

Tutorials
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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, increase your design knowledge and give you an edge over other designers who are also competing for the same projects as you are.

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Market research nerd with a penchant for graphic design and branding. A digital marketer by profession; a creature of the web by compulsion.