QUICK
ILLUSTRATIVE
DESIGN GUIDE
VECTOR VECT OR MASTER MASTERY To become a master at vector design des ign you have to know tools andcreative softwarecloud. well. The software to useyour is the adobe It is best affordable and has all the features you need to create great design. When doing this type of illustrative design, you always want to work in Illustrator. The good thing about using vectors is that you can scale your work to any size. Many young designers use photoshop which is a bad idea because it uses pixels.
Vector
Pixels (Raster)
Show up everyday and practice using illustrator at least 2 hours a day. When you become profiencent with it, you can focus time on developing ideas instead of wondering what tools to use. Illustrators workflow can be customized to suit you and your projects. Create custom shortcuts and workspaces, this will make your design process a lot more smoother. jerem jeremymur ymura.c a.com om
PENCIL VS PIXEL A common mistake beginners make, is never sketching their ideas first. Here are the tools I use: • A4/A5 Moleskine notebook • A4 Canson tracing paper • HB Staedtler Mars Technico • Derwent eraser, tombow mono zero eraser • Copic multi liner, sakura pigma micron pen Never jump into i nto illustrator straight away. away. Build Bui ld your idea and shapes on paper first. Once you have solid ideas you can import them into illustrator and begin designing. Research and sketching should always be first in the design process. It allows your hand and mind to be free. You You can develop ideas quicker compared to the computer. It gives you a chance to be rough and not worry about finer details. Focus on quantity and sketch smal smalll thumbnails. th umbnails. You can always refine your sketches and make them bigger later. The design process becomes more efficient and gives you a clear direction before creating in i n iillustrator llustrator..
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DESIGN KNOWLEDGE KNOWLEDGE My work was so bad when I first started designing. Sometimes I lookIt back old of work and just how bad it was. took at hours learning andlaugh at consuming the right knowledge. Read design books, watch tutorials, listen to podcasts, take a course and learn new techniques. Invest time to learn a new skill each week. Dedicate at least an hour a day for growth. Good sources to learn from: • Lynda • Skillshare • Youtube • Envato tuts+ • Seanwes The more design knowledge you have, the more value you can provide to your client. Gaining knowledge allows you to upskill, expand your craft and creativity. If you do this you will become an expert.
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THE PORTFOLIO Your portfolio is the first thing potential clients will see. the it work want to do more of. Only showPut oneout thing, canyou be icons, illustration, identities or whatever you want. Whatever it is make sure you have both quality and quantity. Don’t put everything on there because it will confuse your audience and potential clients. If you lack projects then do personal projects. It’s the best way to build your portfolio. Ensure you design a website that is your own platform. Customise it and keep it consistent with your branding. Show your portfolio in a way that is easy to navigate through and see your images clearly. Great sites for creating portfolios: • Wordpress • Squarespace • XPRS • Format Good portfolios have case studies. Any client project or personal project you do, show the results. Put the project in context (great mockups), have detailed descriptions and show your process. This will attract more clients and build trust. jerem jeremymur ymura.c a.com om
DEVELOP A STYLE To stand out you need to have your own voice. It won’t happen practice immediately, it takes time. Experiement, and produce many projects. Create personal projects and complete design challenges in the specific field of design you want to get into. thing. Don’t be a jack Focus and niche down on one thing. of all trades, be a master of something. Avoid looking at other designers work all the time. Seek inspiration away from the internet if you can. If you look at too much of other designers work you will end up copying them and not designing something unique. This is ok if you’re just practicing. Life’s expereiences, mixed with your thoughts will have an impact on the way you express ideas. Watching movies, playing video games, listening to music, going to events and traveling the world are some great ways to develop your mind. Be consistent with your work every week and you will notice yourself designing things in a certain way. Your style will eventually be revealed in time.
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LINKS Thanks for reading these 5 easy ways to be an illustrative designer. I appreciate your attention. It’s cool that are interested in If design and illustration, it is both fun and rewarding. you found this resource useful or if you hated it let me know. Shoot me an email at
[email protected]. My Website: www.jeremymura.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/jeremy_mura/ Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/jeremymura Twitter: www.twitter.com/jeremyMura
