a Designer?

Computers, Photoshop, Leisure time. It seemed an appropriate thing to call yourself a 'designer' lately. I believe that many things needed to become a designer for more than a computer, software, and free time. Designer must have the critical thinking skills, understand basic - the basic design, have knowledge about the grid system, typography, and others.



Ability to think creatively

Designers must be able to think, reason, investigate, and to back up their design. Critical thinking is the backbone of the design. Critical thinking is what differentiates a designer with your 10 Years old client's cousin that can design a logo within five minutes on Photoshop'. Design without meaning or concept is just a decoration.

Understanding the basic design

Balance, proportion, rhythm, unity, etc.. The basis of these designs provide designers with the basic tools to produce an effective design. A good designer will use and manipulate specific basis to communicate their message.

Link : The Principles of Design – A brief intro

Knowledge of Design and Art History

Extensive knowledge of design and art history to give designers the foundation of inspiration and reference design solutions for new and innovative. Designing without the knowledge of what has been done before is very naive.

Link L Book: History of Graphic Design



Typography

Typography can provoke ideas, layout, or design. A good designer should have knowledge of typography and must be familiar with different classes of typefaces and how the aesthetic quality of these fonts in communicating a message.

Link : Basic Intro toTypography

Knowledge of the Grid system

Designers must recognize the various different types of grid systems and how they can bring into the organization and structure design. Without the grid system designs often end up with a mess.

Link: * The Grid System
* Book: Making and Breaking the Grid



Drawing & Sketch

The design process should begin with a sketch idea or mind mapping. However drawing usually reduces the time in the design process because it reduces the use of computers. There is a mediation between a pencil or pen when they meet a paper vs 'sketch' on the computer. A good designer designs ALWAYS start with a sketch.

Ability to communicate

One thing missing in my design education is associated with people, more specifically the client. Designers must be able to clearly communicate our design in a way where the client can understand without making them feel inferior

link: 13 Tips for Effective Communication With Clients

Knowledge of color theory

A designer must have strong knowledge about the color scheme, color harmony, and what they communicate.

link:
* Color: Meaning, Symbolism and Psychology
* dos and don’ts – colour
* Video: Color Harmonies

Work ethic and Patience

Design is a process that does not happen instantaneously. Creativity that we consider easy at times - sometimes makes things difficult. Designers must comply with their work ethic and patience are important things that needed to see from the revised design concept to final result.

Willingness to learn

Industrial designs are always changing and evolving. Daily updated technology to encourage designers to create innovative solutions for a new medium. Designers must have a willingness to maintain their skills remain sharp at all times such as push yourself to learn new skills, new software and new techniques.

So, how do you guys think? :)