Teach Yourself Graphic Design: A Self-Study Course Outline

Teach Yourself Graphic Design: A Self-Study Course Outline



Fortunately, it isn’t required to go to design school in order to be
a graphic designer. A good foundation in graphic design history,
theory, and practical application will help you hit the ground running.
There are plenty of resources available in which you can learn graphic
design on your own. Don’t set your expectations to high at first, as it
will take enthusiastic study for years to become great. You can do it
though!
If you would like to learn graphic design from the ground up,
through self directed study, then this article lists some great
resources that will get you started with your design education. Also,
even if you do go to design school, at least three-fifths of your
education will be through self directed study anyway. Let’s get to it



Understanding the Principles and Theory of Graphic Design


There are a few graphic design principles that effect every project
you’ll create. Understanding these principles conceptually and learning
to apply them practically will formulate the foundation of your graphic
design education. Let’s take a look at the basic areas you should study
to get a solid footing in graphic design.

Shape, Spacing, and Rhythm


I remember first learning these basic design principles,
and they seamed so foreign at first. It took me quite some time to get
comfortable with these techniques. In school we did a beginner project
that consisted of drawing triangles, just to communicate emotion
through placement, shape and spacing alone. Below are some good
resources on these principles.

• The Principles of Design by Joshua David McClurg-Genevese
  
• What is Graphic Design? Overview, Basics of Design Principles, and Design Elements
  

Color, Texture, and Imagery


Understanding the basics of color theory is important and getting a
feel for how to work with colors. Color can make areas of a design pop
off the page or recede into the background. The use of texture can
enhance the feel of a design. In print design texture can be the actual
feel of paper or other materials. Imagery can also blend in with
texture and is loaded with colors. Learning how to balance these is a
delicate craft that will take some practice to apply well. Here are
some resources on using color, texture, and imagery in graphic design:

• Principles of Color Design by Wucius Wong
  
• Texture in Graphic Design
  
• The Basics of Graphic Design
  

Working with Type


Your ability to use type is one of the things that differentiates
graphic design from other visual professions. A big part of graphic
design is understanding typography, developing your knowledge of
typefaces, and how to apply them in your design. This will be a
constant study throughout your career. Here are a few great resources
on type:

• Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works by Erik Spiekermann and E.M Ginger
  
• Typography Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Type in Graphic Design by Timothy Samara
  
• A Typographic Workbook: A Primer to History, Techniques, and Artistry by Kate Clair and Cynthia Busic-Snyder
  
• Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students by Ellen Lupton
  

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2. Standing Strong with a Historical Graphic Design Grounding


Philip Meggs book (see below), is a must have for every graphic
design. You should read it from cover to cover. Also, as you go through
spend time researching areas that interest you the most. Pick at least
three areas to go into detailed study with and learn as much as you can
about them. One area of interest for me is the Bauhaus,
which was a graphic design and craft school founded in the early
twentieth century. I find the subject captivating, probably because it
combines so many of my passions: art, design, history, and education.

• Meggs’ History of Graphic Design by Philip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis
  
• History of Graphic Design
  

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3. Internalize the Graphic Design Process, Conceptual Solutions, Real World Experience, and Creative Application


Graphic designers solve visual problems. The key to teaching
yourself graphic design is to understand the process of solving a
visual problem. This means you’ll benefit from tackling design briefs.
You’ll learn to apply the skills you study by solving fictitious design
problems to begin with and as you advance tackling real world problems
and working with clients.

Visual and Conceptual Problem Solving


Visual and conceptual problem solving is the core of what we do as
graphic designers. Clients come to us with a brief, which is a problem
that needs to be solved. A new company may need to enter a specific
market and come to you for a comprehensive identity solution. Or you
may work at a newspaper and have to lay out a page to deadline. The
problems are endless and your job is to solve these issues.
What is a visual concept? Well it’s more than a pure visual
solution. It’s a unification of a graphic and an idea, which is placed
in context to solve a problem. Let’s look at the example of a logo.
It’s a visual mark, which represents the idea of a company, presented
in the context of all the company’s identity, marketing, and history.
Let’s look at some resources for developing your visual and conceptual
problem solving skills for graphic designers. Keep in mind though
practicing your craft will help build your visual problem solving
skills.

• Visual Literacy: A Conceptual Approach to Graphic Problem Solving by Judith Wilde and Richard Wilde
  
• Graphic Design: The New Basics by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips
  

The Design Process


Learning to research, create thumbnails, refine sketches, work up
visual solutions in programs, and present to clients are just some of
the basics of the design process. Every subset of design may have a
slightly different procedure, and your working methodology, or a
company you work for may implement things in a somewhat unique way in
their production environment. Even so, the basics remain the same. Get
familiar with the design process from start to finish, and work on
getting faster and better at each stage of the process on each project
you work on.

• Design Evolution: A Handbook of Basic Design Principles Applied in Contemporary Design by Tim Samara
  
• My logo design process by David Airey
  
• The Role of Sketching in the Design Process by Sean Hodge
  

Real World Graphic Design Application


A business card, like a canvas, has boundaries. A book has specific
dimensions and technical print limitations. These type of practical and
technical limitations are an important part of practicing the craft of
graphic design. Work to learn about these technologies and build up
your knowledge through real projects. You’ll learn a whole lot about
print by having to get a big project printed on a budget. Also, keep in
mind that creative solutions are often driven within contained creative
environments. Part of the fun of graphic design is solving technical
problems with creative solutions.

• Working Within Limitations to Achieve Great Designs by Sean Hodge
  
• Basic vs Applied Research in Graphic Design by Michael Kroeger
  

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4. Consider Advanced Study and Development


Advanced study can take many different paths for each designer. You
may become interested in a related field, and then mold your graphic
design education to apply to that field. However, every graphic
designer will benefit from advanced study and planning.
Of course, there’s no limit to the depth you can study on any
subject of graphic design. Grid Theory, Graphic Information Design, and
Career Planning are just a few areas to focus on. You could certainly
go much deeper in other areas as well.

Grid Theory


Many areas of graphic design incorporate grid based solutions. In
many ways, grid theory is advanced principles of spacing, flow, and
rhythm, though applied to real projects, like laying out an entire book
or website. Putting together any multi-page document will likely
benefit from a grid, as it makes the design feel cohesive. Below are
some resources to get started with grids.

• Grid Systems: Principles of Organizing Type by Kimberly Elam
  
• Making and Breaking the Grid: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop by Timothy Samara
  

Graphic Information Design


While many of the principles of graphic information design are
similar to graphic design, it takes on a more technical and practical
approach to visual problems. Rather than looking at the concept on a
billboard, a graphic information designer might analyze the proper font
size to use for traffic passing the billboard at 40mph, so as to have
maximum impact. It’s a blend of scientific research and practical
application to visual design. Edward Tufte has written many good books
on the subject, and I recommend you read them all. They are elegantly
written, the layout of the books are beautiful, and the principles
taught have strong, illustrative examples.

• The Work of Edward Tufte
  
• Envisioning Information by Edward Tufte
  

Planning Your Career


Spend some time getting acquainted with the graphic design landscape
and plan your career. Graphic design is a large discipline, which is
directly involved in numerous occupations. Learning the potential of
the field will help you decide what you want to focus on. You may be
attracted to print design, advertising, interface design, or another
graphic design or related field.

• Graphic Design: A Career Guide Edited by Sharon Helmer Poggenpohl
  
• 25 Graphic Design Career Preparation Tips
  
• Becoming a Graphic Designer: A Guide to Careers in Design, 2nd Edition by Steven D. Heller, Teresa Fernandes, and Steven Heller
  

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Learn from Professional Graphic Designers


Aside from studying graphic designers throughout history, you’ll
also benefit by studying contemporary designers whom you identify with.
A couple designers I found inspirational while I was in design school
were David Carson and Carlos Segura.
Both of these designers utilize typography in intuitive, innovative,
and illustrative fashions. They helped encouraged me to get expressive
with my use of type, spacing, and texture. While the approach they
practice in design isn’t appropriate for every project, it certainly
helped develop my graphic range and ability to think illustratively
through graphic design.


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You may fall in love with some other approach to design. Also,
you’ll go through numerous phases, where you’ll be attracted to
something else in design. This is part of what’s great about the field;
it’s so diverse. Don’t be afraid to emulate designers approaches on
some projects. It’s a good way to learn. Then you’ll move on to
something else and it will become part of your collective design
experience.

• The End of Print: Graphic Design of David Carson by Lewis Blackwell and David Carson
  
• 16 Great Graphic Design Blogs and Sites by Danny Outlaw
  

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6. Developing Your Proficiency, Intuition, and Flow


Part of becoming a good graphic designer is becoming one with your
tools. If you can wield a pencil, and quickly sketch down conceptual
solutions, then you’re a more proficient designer. Of course, when
working within programs the same thing applies. If you’re a logo
designer, the better you know Illustrator, the better a designer you’ll
be. That’s one of the reasons why sites like Vectortuts+ are so useful.
Being proficient with your tools helps you to be able to enter an
intuitive flow like state when working, but it’s more than that. The
better you know design, your medium, your chosen field of focus, your
toolsets, and your workflow, the easier it will be to sink into that
space where decisions come easily and time disappears. This flow state
is a big reason why people choose any art related field, like graphic
design; they enjoy being in the flow of creating and working visually.

• Tuts+ – Power Up Your Skill Set
  
• Core Principles for Rapidly Attaining Creative Flow by Sean Hodge
  

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7. Put Together Your Portfolio and Blog


Make sure to create a portfolio (a home base with your own url), and blog regularly on what you learn as you grow as a designer.
Three things help get you hired as a graphic designer (in order of
importance): your portfolio, your demonstrated experience, your ability
to communicate your knowledge on graphic design. You build all three of
these over time. It’s not something that happens overnight.
Your portfolio is your most important tool in marketing yourself as
a graphic designer. It demonstrates your abilities to practically apply
your skills. When interviewing it also holds some of the greatest
weight in you being hired.
Experience takes time to grow. Someone that has worked in the field
for years, run an agency, or worked with large known companies has a
tremendous leg-up in the industry. Don’t get discouraged though,
everyone started from ground-zero to begin with.
One of the greatest skills one learns in design school is how to
talk and write about design. It’s not just being able to create
something that looks cool, but being able to critically analyze a
problem, apply a proven workflow to solving it, and communicate the
process. In the field, this will equate to needing to sell your
solutions to clients or bosses. Or when interviewing, describing how
you solved a design problem.
Writing articles for your blog is a great place to practice
discussing graphic design, and how you’ve solved specific design
problems. It also, in itself, demonstrates your knowledge in the field.
Don’t be afraid to add case studies to your blog, even for personal
projects, as it’s a great way to build this analytical skill set.
Through self-study, use your blog to write articles as you learn about
design. This serves as a good substitute for assignments you would
receive in a design class, and will compliment the design projects you
do.

• 12 Steps to a Super Graphic Design Portfolio
  
• Creating A Successful Online Portfolio by Sean Hodge
  
• 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website by Lee Munroe
  

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8. Participate in Online and Professional Graphic Design Communities


Becoming involved in the graphic design community and professional
associations will increase your connections in the industry and
knowledge of the field. Also, attend conferences and network whenever
possible.

Join Professional Associations


A great way to learn about the workings of the graphic design
profession is to join professional organizations. They run conferences,
produce articles, books, and other resources. Some of these
organizations work to improve the profession as a whole by lobbying and
other activities.

• AIGA
  
• Graphic Artists Guild
  

Becoming Part of the Graphic Design Community Online


Aside from professional communities, there are loads of communities
on the web that you can participate in. Below are some graphic design
forums you may want to participate in.

• How Design Forum
  
• You The Designer Forums
  

Getting Critical Feedback Online and Promote Your Work


Interaction and critique is really important to your growth as a
graphic designer. If you’re not in design school, then you need to find
other places that people will tear apart your work, and that you can
develop your own critical eye. The best thing for a young design is to
have someone tell them why something they made isn’t well designed, and
what they might do differently. This prepares you for clients doing
this (gives you a thicker skin), and it helps you grow with your visual and creative problem solving abilities.
I don’t know of the perfect place on the net to find this, but try
different online communities or forums. And if you can find a mentor,
even someone with just one or two more years of experience than you,
who is willing to critique your work, this can be invaluable. Try some
of the places mentioned below and search further.
Aside from your main portfolio, it also helps to have satellite
portfolios, which are submitted to portfolio communities, and where you
can get feedback on your work. They are also great places to promote
your work and gain new clients. Below are some communities to explore.

• DeviantArt
  
• Behance
  
• Coroflot
  
• Flickr
  

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9. Keep in Mind that Graphic Design as a Discipline Doesn’t Exist in Isolation


Any study of graphic design will include some connection to related
disciplines. Studying art and illustration will help develop your
ability to create graphics. Studying Marketing will help you place your
conceptual solutions within the context of business and consumer needs.
Also, graphic design is often a part of the foundational study for
related disciplines. You’ll be a much stronger web designer, if you
have a solid graphic design education for example.

• Seth Godin’s Blog
  
• Fundamentals of Illustration by Lawrence Zeegan
  
• Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually by Mark Wigan
  
• The Fundamentals of Creative Advertising by Ken Burtenshaw, Nik Mahon, and Caroline Barfoot
  

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10. Finding Work as a Freelance Graphic Designer


Aside form landing a job directly, freelancing is a career path
available for designers. There is work out there for almost all skill
levels. You’ll need to work at building your portfolio, negotiating,
and your business skills.
There are numerous communities and resources online that can help you grow as a freelance graphic designer,
and freelancing is a great way to get a broad set of graphic design
projects under your belt. It’s a great way to grow your skills and
learn through real projects, as you study independently.

• 10 Great Places to Find Graphic Design Jobs
  
• Freelance Switch Job Board
  

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Evaluate if Self Study or Graphic Design School is Right for You


After evaluating the above steps, do some research on schools, and
consider the best course of study for you. Not everyone has the
financial ability or desire to go to college. Fortunately, it isn’t a
prerequisite to becoming a professional designer. The biggest resource
in landing a job is your ability to demonstrate your skills, done
through your portfolio, and in interviews your knowledge and passion
should show.
Going to design school is great, but if you’re diligent you can
learn graphic design through independent study. Keep in mind, I’m not
saying don’t go to college, as that decision is up to you (I went to
Undergraduate school and I took some Graduate courses). Also, you may
be in a position that you’re studying something else, but are
passionate about graphic design. Plenty of great designers started in
other fields or learned on their own.
Even while I was in design school, some of the greatest lessons I
learned came from doing projects on my own, studying online, and books.
A good teacher can be a great resource though and I appreciate all
those that helped me learn while I was in school.
If you do plan on going to design school, then spend some time
deciding on the right school for you. What school fits your budget,
goals, and ability to attend. You may want to consider online
professional programs as well. Or for the brave of heart, do it without
formal schooling.

Graphic Design Schools

• Choosing a Graphic Design Degree
  
• A Brief Guide To Design Education by Adam Richardson
  
• 7 Tips for Getting Into Graphic Design School
  

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Putting it All Together


Good luck with learning graphic design. Keep in mind, an
undergraduate course takes numerous years to complete, and some even go
on to grad school, so don’t set your expectations to high in the
beginning, whether you attend school, or go it independently. It’s OK
if it takes even years to master graphic design. Just study, grow as a
designer, don’t give up, and you’ll get there. Be sure to have fun
along the way, or else what’s the point!
Besides, by the time you’re a great graphic designer, you’ll
probably be interested in learning something else. That’s just the
nature of things, right!
Feel free to link to your favorite graphic design resources
(books, articles, and others), as their is an endless amount of great
material to get started with, and then to advance your skills as you
grow!














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