#Galleryyuhself/advertising/Trinidad and Tobago/just good design

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[galleryyuhself]

Graphic Design:Ten to One

GalleryYuhself ARTICLE

In my nearly twenty years of teaching...gosh it is hard to believe that it has been so long, time has flown by. To celebrate the time, I have made a list of ten strategies for good design teaching in my humble opinion.

1. YOU CANNOT TEACH TASTE One of the things that I love most about Graphic Design, is the fact that I can become immersed in it whenever I am looking at it online or offline. There is so much to see. Some things are Typography heavy, some things feature beautiful photography. Some ideas are just clever. Some things are attractive because of color or scale, texture or a combination of things. The bottom line is that Graphic Design styles never end. Things come and go, in the same vein as Fashion Design. You may find yourself caught up with a look or a technique. What matters is to enjoy everything, collect images if you will. It never gets boring to look, and to enjoy styles. Become aware of what interests you and soon you shall begin to see that you have your own particular sense of what good design means to you.

2. LOOK,LOOK,LOOK and LOOK some more When you find really moving design techniques, one always wants to know how it was done. When I was in College I always remember the acetate box done by a fellow student for a man’s shirt. I could find no glue or telltale finger prints. That blew my mind. How did he do that! I love that about Graphic Design. What materials did that person use for that package? Was that die-cut? Was that foil embossed? Find out and enjoy it all.

3. READ Nothing beats finding out how Designers think and feel about design. Design is such a broad field, and having an interest in Industrial,Web, Product, Fashion, Interior, Landscape, Food, Set... all of these facets open one’s mind to possibilities.

  4. LEARN ABOUT OTHER TYPES OF BUSINESSES A Designer is constantly being asked to solve problem. You have no idea whether you may be approached by a car company or a hospital. It is important to have a sensitivity to all professions. Designers have to be mindful of their spaces. In Trinidad and Tobago that means knowing at least a little bit about our industries. Consider how they function. Some companies have vans and need wrapped imagery. Some companies like billboard advertising. Everyone is online today. A Designer needs to be aware of needs before the business world knows it needs it.

5. GO OUT In getting to know about Trinidad and Tobago, it is of great value to be a person who interacts with the public comfortably. This does not mean that you have to overdo. Going to a club, a restaurant, a movie, all help determine taste and needs. Be observant of all of this. You might even enjoy it.

6. MAKE MISTAKES The Artist Salvador Dali was quoted as saying “Do not worry about being perfect, it does not exist.”  Are we so risk averse that the average student is afraid at every moment of the design process? Is this what you want? Is this ok? Is this what you said? Mistake - making helps you to see what not to do and what you can do. It helps with the way you manage your time and how good or not so good you may be with a certain material or execution of an idea. Without mistakes growth cannot happen.

  7. MAKE FRIENDS of all stripe We know that we should treat everyone with respect and regard. However, we all choose our friends. Yet, one may not consider creating friendships with people very different from yourself. The need to do this comes from being more sensitive to professions that may seem one way, but you have no sense of the effort it takes to do them. Make aquaintances with people. See people, listen to people. Get to know their challenges. I hear it all the time. Everyone feels so challenged and put upon, and feel that they are not being heard or respected. How can you be a good Designer and not know people?

8. LOOK AT MATERIALS So many students make the excuse that they would be able to do an assignment better IF they had more money. The best tools for design are:- Your thoughts, a blank sheet of paper, and the humble pencil. Then, a ruler, an x-acto knife, straw board, tape, glue, masking tape and found materials. Paint, paint-brushes, markers, toothpicks, tacks and paper clips. That’s it. How expensive did that seem? Yes, you want that drawing tablet, but ultimately the cheapest ideas come from your journal every time.

9. TALK TO PRINTERS Your ideas are only as good as the ability to get them printed when you work in the world of Advertising and Designing for magazines, newspapers, packaging and signage. Know the technical aspect of these.

10. TAKE A BREAK Graphic Design is a fast paced world. Ever so often you need to step away and take some time for yourself and for your family. Recharge often and use what you learn to enhance your own life.