/

I’m by no means an expert in starting out as a designer, I’m still only starting out myself. But now I’ve overcome the first hurdle of actually getting going, I thought I’d share how I got started in the hopes that it helps someone who wants to have a go but isn’t sure how.

 

TOOLS

Having the right tools can seem like it’s a big barrier to starting as a designer. You don’t need anything to start at a very very basic level though, you can start to learn a load of the skills you need with a pencil, some paper, a laptop and some creative use of pages. But to properly get started, the only two things I would highly recommend you purchase are Affinity Designer and a tablet. I’ve spoken at length about Affinity Designer, and done a full review, but it’s a really powerful design tool that’s cheaper and easier to pick up than illustrator. It’s very rare that I need to do something that it can’t, and if you’re starting out I can think of no better companion. Adobe Creative Suite remains the gold standard as a design toolset, but it’s a huge investment if you’re just starting out and includes a whole host of things you won’t need and requires a bigger learning curve. The moment I bought my first tablet it changed my world. That might be too far, but it opened a lot of options up for me and made everything I did easier and quicker. You can’t really go wrong with Wacom. You don’t need of their more complex offerings if you’re just starting, I still use the Intuos Pen and Touch. I would recommend going for one that’s around A4 size (usually a Wacom Medium), anything smaller and you don’t get as much creative freedom, anything bigger can be hard to lug around and will obviously be pricier. I think my first tablet was only £20 second hand from eBay, and you can get similar ones today for well under £100. Of course it’s nice to have a camera and a scanner, but those things aren’t essential and you can normally work your way around needing them.

 

PRACTICE

This should be obvious but just make stuff on your own. It develops your skills, allows you to create a style and start to grow a portfolio. Working for yourself is a pressure free way to find out if you actually like designing. Practice tasks you could have a go at are: designing yourself a logo, creating a book cover for your favourite novel, creating an illustrated map of your area, or designing a poster for a band you love.

 

GETTING OUT THERE

I was very lucky that when I decided to get started I was at Uni, so there were loads of things I could get involved with, without having to have very much experience. But if you’re not in such an obviously opportunity rich environment there are still loads of things you can do. First, work on your portfolio – read just make some stuff and get better. Second, there are loads of small projects that can be designed that you don’t realise. Is your work having a social? Ask if you can design the invite. Do you have a friend who has a blog? Ask if you can help them create content. Basically ask people if you can help them, and I promise at least one of them will say yes. Post your work on social media, and try and build a following. Once you’ve got a few of those kinds of projects under your belt try reaching out for bigger things like offering to help charities on Pimp My Cause or bidding for work through sites like 99 Designs.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR FIRST PROJECT

Every project is different so this is going to be pretty general, but I feel like there are some things you should be prepared for:

  • You’re probably going to go through more redesigns than you expect, this doesn’t mean you’re not doing well, most projects take a few goes to get right.
  • You might not be instantly inspired. Going from working on your own stuff to project for someone else is a bit of a change, not least because you might not instantly be interested in what you’re working on. But taking a breath then having a good google and a brainstorm normally solves that.
  • It’s going to be time intensive. If you’re still developing your technical skills things are just going to take some time to do.
  • It’s not all going to go to plan. As with the first point, this doesn’t mean you’re not doing well. There are always external factors you can’t control that can affect a project. You’ve got to be prepared to adapt to whatever happens and deviate from what you thought should happen at the start.

 

JUST DO IT

My final thing is just to have a go. It’s so easy to say “I’m not good enough” “There are too many other people with more experience doing” “It I don’t have this I don’t have that” “I’ll start when I have more free time”. As Walt Disney said “the way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing”

/

Instagram is the one social media outlet I probably spend too much time one. I could scroll pretty much endlessly. I particularly love it for finding new inspiration and new art and artists I like. In the name of sharing, as is the social media way, I thought I’d post my 10 favourite artists on Instagram right now*.

*10 by no means covers all or really even a tiny fraction of the artists I’m loving, but I thought I should show some restraint.

MIKE LOWERY  

I always hope there’s going to be a post from Mike Lowery in my feed when I scroll through. His illustrated facts and stories are the best, you really do learn something new every day if you’re following him. He’s also made some little camping mugs with lumberjacks on which are the absolute cutest.

MARK CONLAN 

I love the vibrancy of Mark Conlan’s work. His little series of Unexpected Discoveries has been so much fun to follow, especially with the little sneak peaks into his sketch book.

BARBARA WURSZT 

The blocked style of Barbara Wurszt’s work is so distinctive and different to anyone else I follow on Instagram, which means that despite their simplicity  her characters have so much individual personality.

THE OFFICIAL SAD GHOST CLUB

It’s a daily dose of the ever lovely Sad Ghost Club, need I say more?

RYAN HUMPHREY 

I started following Ryan quite a while ago, on tumblr, and it’s been so much fun to see him grow and his style evolve. His sketches have such a distinct style, and really make me want to pick up a proper pencil more.

MANJIT THAPP 

Manjit Thapp is a cool lady who draws cool ladies (and other awesome things) and you should check her out, it’s that simple.

GIZEM VURAL

I could spend hours looking at Gizem Vural’s abstract patterns, they  always seem so carefully balanced together and yet so carefree in their construction.

HANNAH WARREN 

Hannah Warren’s work always seems to be on the move, it speeds into my feed and I can’t help but feel energised after seeing it (especially this little pup)

 

KAYE BLEGVAD 

I love Kaye Blegvad’s jewellery, the two rings I wear everyday are both by her. But the fun element of the things, and I really do mean things, she’s been putting up on Instagram recently have rekindled my love of her artwork as well.

ALESSANDRA GENUALDO 

The main reason I love Alessandra Genualdo’s posts is the expressions of the women she draws. They always remind me of that quote “if they’re smiling it’s not art”, or something like that, these are some artistic (and realistic, who’s smiling all the time?) ladies.

Who else should I be following?

/

November’s never my favourite month. It’s cold and grey, and by the time we’re in the 11th month of the year I’ve lost all of my post-summer/new school year energy and it’s still too long til Christmas. In an attempt to cheer myself up and have something to keep me going and making in the coming month, I’ve come up with a list of 7 things you can do to put some pep in your step no matter how much time you have.

IF YOU HAVE…

A DAY…Have a Digital Detox

We live in a world where we’re constantly connected, constantly checking our phones, constantly hungry for the next notification. Having the world at our fingertips is amazing, but it can also become a burden. You feel like you have to check your phone, or your email, or how many wordpress views you have. Doing a digital detox allows you to take a step back from that cycle and realise that you don’t need to be by your phone 24/7, as well as making you a more active participant in every conversation, every interaction, you have that day. So commit to one day without screens, meet up with friends, go to that gallery you’ve always meant to, rest your eyes, just for a little while. It’s easier than you think. The Everygirl about doing one, if you’re looking for more information.

AN HOUR…Get Outside

It’s very tempting when the weather is cold and grey just to stay inside with a cup of tea and 7 jumpers on where its warm and cosy. There’s nothing wrong with that, I predict that probably around 80% of my November will be just that. But that means it’s even more important to get outside. Your mum was right; fresh air is good for you. It’s also nice just to have a change of space and see something different. If you can get out of the city all the better, if not just go somewhere new (and green). If you’re in London, you can find some really great walking trails near you on the TFL website – who knew? 

HALF AN HOUR…Make Something Tasty

Make your self one of these Apple Pie Sundaes. I can personally vouch for their deliciousness, and they’re a perfect autumn indulgence without all of the work of actually baking a pie. (I also highly recommend checking out more of Dana’s recipes, she’s never steered me wrong)

15 MINUTES…Read This

Commencement speeches are usually filled with the same old clichés and forgotten almost as soon as they’re delivered. But when David Foster Wallace spoke at Kenyon College 11 years ago, on May 21 2005, something stuck. His speech has been reprinted in the Wall Street Journal, turned into a book, and viewed over a million times on Youtube. It’s remained popular for a reason. I’ve read, and reread, and reread it, for a reason. It reminds you of the importance of thinking, of learning to think, and of stepping back from your reality and realising that a lot of how you experience the world is something you choose. If you’re looking for some food for thought this month, look no further than this.

10 MINUTES … Try Calm

I’ve recently realised how much of an effect meditation can have on your mood. Calm is such a great app if you’re just starting out as you can do guided (quite a few of which are free to try out) and unguided meditations depending on what you want to have a go at. You can try it in less than ten minutes, and I promise you’ll feel better about your day after you’ve finished it.    

5 MINUTES…Say Thank You

Taking five minutes out of your day to say thank you to someone you don’t appreciate enough is so easy, but something we don’t do enough. Call your Mum. Write a card to your Granddad. Take your friend out for a drink. Stop and thank that barista who always gives you the biggest slice of cake.  Actively recognising the good things and people in your life is good for you but it’s also good for the around you.

30 SECONDS…Watch This