3 Simple Hacks To *actually* Improve Your Designs

Can we be honest?

My designs have improved quite a bit in the last few years…

 

 

But why did it take me so long to get to this point in my design journey?

I could have improved this much after only a couple of years.

And yet it took me almost 7 years.

I know what it feels like to be stuck in a creative rut or to doubt your own skills. And while I'm very grateful to be where I am today, I definitely made a LOT of mistakes along the way.

So without further ado, here are 3 tips for improving as a graphic designer so that you don't make the same mistakes that I did.

Stop putting off the “boring” stuff

Whenever I speak to beginner designers, I notice a recurring pattern.

They are always reluctant to learn certain parts of their chosen software that are crucial for becoming an advanced designer.

For example, I spoke to a designer recently who said he didn’t want to learn how to use layer masks in Photoshop as it “seemed too complicated”.

This mindset is incredibly problematic as you are missing out on the full potential of your graphic design software.

Remember: It's not enough to have a great eye for design; you must also become intimately familiar with the tools at your disposal.

Don’t understand layer masking? Go learn it.

Don’t really understand how to blend two layers together? Go learn it.

Don’t know how to color grade? Go learn it.

Often you’ll find that learning and understanding these fundamental techniques will transform your workflow as a designer.

Whether it's Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, or another design software, investing time and effort into learning its features, shortcuts, and hidden gems can revolutionize your design process.

By becoming a skilled navigator of your chosen software, you gain the ability to work efficiently, manipulate elements with precision, and experiment fearlessly.

However, you may be wondering: “where can I learn about these techniques?” 

I know this sounds highly unprofessional, but pretty much anything you need to know about graphic design can be found on Youtube. For example, if you type in “how to use layer masks in Photoshop”, you’ll find hours of content from highly skilled creators teaching you these skills.

I’m a firm believer that you do not need a fancy degree to excel at graphic design. For anyone wondering, I learnt absolutely everything I know about Photoshop on Youtube as well as a few, inexpensive online courses.

As a sidenote, I’m currently putting together an online course for learning and mastering Photoshop as well as using your design skills to grow an audience on social media (so stay tuned for that!)

Seek honest, unfiltered criticism

As designers, it can be tempting to surround ourselves with praise and positive feedback, but true improvement comes from embracing constructive critique.

I get it, it's not always easy to put ourselves out there and allow others to critique our work. Naturally, we want our work to be praised and celebrated (I'm definitely guilty of this.)

But opening ourselves up to the insights and perspectives of others helps us identify blind spots, refine our design choices, and push the boundaries of our creativity. 

Here's the thing: growth and improvement thrive on honest feedback. It's like a turbo boost for our skills. 

Sure, it might sting a bit to hear some constructive feedback, but trust me, it's worth it.

So how do we find people to give us that honest feedback?

Your best bet is to reach out to other designers on social media, asking them to review your work.

A lot of my initial growth on Instagram actually came from making connections with other smaller design accounts and sharing tips, advice and building genuine connections with others on a similar level to me.

Less perfectionism, more volume

The way I see it, every design we create is an opportunity for growth and learning.

We all know that feeling of putting immense pressure on ourselves to create “the perfect design”. 

We strive for perfection, constantly second-guessing our choices and worrying about what others might think.

But guess what? Maybe it's time to let go of that pressure and give ourselves the freedom to experiment.

Instead of being paralyzed by the fear of not meeting our own ridiculously high expectations, instead embrace a mindset of curiosity and playfulness.

For example; set yourself a challenge to create 4 poster designs in an hour. At first this may seem like an impossible feat, but you’ll be surprised what you come up with without that pressure to create your next masterpiece.

In addition, this mindset allows you to explore new territory and carve out your own style.

Make your mark

The world of graphic design is ever-evolving, and it's up to us to stay curious, adaptable, and open to new possibilities. 

Remember, improvement is a continuous, (but non-linear) journey. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone, seek feedback, and explore new techniques.

I hope you got some value out of this newsletter, and thank you for the ongoing support for my work! We just hit 60,000 followers on Instagram which I am still struggling to wrap my head around.

Thank you for all the lovely messages you’ve been sending and for showing love for my art. It’s truly, truly appreciated.

Love you all,

George

Instagram:@waveindex

Twitter:@waveindex_