spinxwebdesign asked:


Graphic design is the most sorts after website design feature making any website visually attractive and appealing. There are many skills that contribute towards making of successful graphic designs. Some of them are as follows:

1) Adobe

Adobe Illustrator software is used for vector based graphics, the designs created are also very neat in texture. It is usually used for logo formation, poster and print work. This program is a bit difficult to learn but can be very beneficial.

Adobe Photoshop is used for producing pixel based photo management. The experts also keep them updated by regular online learning. It is a little costly trick to learn but worth learning it due to excellent results produced by it.

The Adobe InDesign uses page layout program useful for print based designs. In case of magazines, newspapers, brochures, books the skills of this software can be used.

2) Flash

Flash provides motion to your presentations online and turns imagination into reality. Flash is being used extensively in the form if videos on World Wide Web. In comparison to other video players the use of flash player is more on computer devices and desktops. The websites getting hi-tech day-by-day needs to possess strong and full-fledged of flash.

3) Idea creation

Internet is a dynamic platform where everyday something new occurs in terms of technology and creativity. Graphic designers that can come up with newer and innovative ideas get most of the clients. Every customer wishes to present his website by a novel idea generation. However the ideas for graphic designing should complement your website and its business completely.

4) Sharpening business skills

In order to excel in business it is important to know and understand basics of business which includes talents like- accounting, tax strategy information, marketing, database management and so on. It applies to the business of graphic designing also, keeping you much ahead of the market competition and earn desired profits.

5) Network Construction

The graphic designers having strong and apt network are very well ahead of the competition. They get access to latest information and happenings in the field of graphic designing. As these designers spend most of the time in offices therefore network construction becomes all the more important.

6) Typography knowledge

A good graphic designer has knowledge of typography which facilitates good communication. Now-a-days it should not be overlooked.

Copyright © 2009

John Morris asked:

A successful future in the new media industry (and specifically, graphic design) depends on choosing the right school. As a graduate student in this field myself, I will be able to provide you with the absolute best advice one can get in regards to this topic.

1. Area of Focus

The first thing that you need to know about schools of this nature is that they are designed with everyone in mind, and that means people going into the program may have absolutely no experience. In my case, they asked for a portfolio of work as part of the admission process. So, if you are self-taught and eager to solidify your already existing knowledge, or a total beginner, this is a good choice for you. If, however, you have already completed a similar program, you may wish to take a new program merely to upgrade your skills (because the field of new media is always changing). If you can, it really, really, really helps if you take a freehand drawing course prior to learning how to draw using a computer.

2. Recognition

- Does the school participate in any graphical arts competitions? – Have students accomplished anything of reknown in the industry?

3. Teachers

Trust me, this doesn’t go without saying. The quality of your education will be directly related to the instructors. I have never encountered an instructor that wasn’t immensely knowledgeable about the subject area. Of course, there is a big difference between knowing the subject area and being able to teach (that is, to convey that information, and manage students, answer questions, etc).

4. Job Placement

100% make sure that you get into a program that incorporates on-the-job experience. Or at least a practicum. This usually is 100 hours of real on-the-job experience and it is absolutely invaluable to your career.

5. Curriculum And Tools

You must assess whether the curriculum is relevant to you field of study. You may want to compare the curricula of different schools to see which offers the best form of education. As it so happens in my case, the administration did something they have never done before: changed the curriculum halfway through the program. The reasoning behind this was that the software we were scheduled to be instructed in would soon be discontinued on the Mac. It really pays off if you can see the facilities beforehand so you know what tools they are using. Don’t just oogle at the computers, snoop around and see the programs directory and make note of what programs are installed, and if they are the latest versions.

6. Student to Teacher Ratio

Graphic design is kind of an industry that more or less demands personal contributions on every project. For this reason, you can’t just be known as the photoshop guy, it is your responsibility to be well versed in a lot of different programs and techniques for creating stunning graphics and illustrations. And that means you will definately need one-on-one instruction, or at least the ability to stop the class in case you get lost. These programs are very fast-paced and if you don’t make sure you fully understand concepts in the first semester you will get hopelessly lost – fast.

7. Accreditation

Accreditation means the school has passed a certain standards of educational quality. If you can, ask for literally one minute of the head departments time and find out a listing of companies that students have been hired into.

8. Cost

A full education in graphic design can cost anywhere from 13,000 to 16,000 dollars for an intensive one-year program (120 credits). The goal here is to find a university, college, or technical institute that is recognized internationally for excellence. Let’s face it, Harvard University will look a lot better on your resume than Texas Community College. Three great recognized schools in are BCIT located in Vancouver Canada (Vancouver is the equivalent of Hollywood for graphic designers, web designers, and all new media experts), the Art Institute (with locations worldwide), and the Vancouver Film School (VFS) that has graphic design programs that are very specialized.

9. Scholarships

You might want to consider whether the design school you are looking at offers any scholarships. You also might want to know the terms to them too. Some schools offer scholarships based on academic performance. Some offer them based on art competitions they hold regularly. You should qualify for a national student loan either way, and repayment is extremely affordable.