What They Don’t Teach You In Graphic Design School
In the last blog we discussed what graphic design does teach you, but in this post we’ll discuss what it doesn’t teach you. Knowing what graphic design school does not teach you is important for you to have realistic expectations once you enter the school. You will also be able to seek out resources to grow in these areas.
What They Don’t Teach You
While graphic design schools provide a solid foundation in design principles, software skills, and creative thinking, there are several aspects of the profession that are often not covered extensively in formal education. Here are some things they might not teach you at graphic design school:
Business Skills: Many graphic designers graduate without a deep understanding of the business side of design. This includes client management, project budgeting, invoicing, contracts, and marketing oneself as a freelance designer or running a design studio.
Client Communication: Building strong relationships with clients is crucial in the design industry. This involves effective communication, understanding client needs, managing expectations, and handling feedback professionally.
Project Management: Graphic design projects often involve multiple stakeholders, tight deadlines, and complex workflows. Knowing how to manage projects efficiently, prioritize tasks, and collaborate with team members is essential for success.
Print Production: While digital design is predominant, understanding print production processes is still important. This includes knowledge of different printing techniques, color management, file formats, and preparing files for printing.
Typography: While typography is taught in design schools, the emphasis may not be enough considering its critical role in design. Understanding typefaces, hierarchy, readability, and typographic principles is essential for effective communication through design.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: Designers need to be aware of copyright laws, intellectual property rights, and ethical considerations when using others' work, fonts, or images in their designs. Understanding licensing agreements and respecting intellectual property is crucial.
Professional Development: Continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends, software updates, and emerging technologies are all essential for staying competitive in the field. Designers need to invest time in self-directed learning and professional development throughout their careers.
Soft Skills: Beyond technical skills, soft skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability are highly valued in the design industry. These skills are often developed through experience and practice rather than through formal education.
Cultural and Social Awareness: Designers should have an understanding of cultural sensitivities, diversity, and inclusivity to create designs that resonate with diverse audiences and avoid unintentional offense or exclusion.
While graphic design schools provide a solid foundation, real-world experience, self-directed learning, and mentorship are crucial for mastering these aspects of the profession.
How to Improve in Each Area
Business Skills: Local events and workshops are a great way to begin understanding the inner workings of the business world. Take the time to look into the options available in your area. Don’t be afraid to go outside your comfort zone to find your people. Conferences, seminars, workshops, and virtual events are all great things to look for when beginning your research in your area.
Client Communication: The skill of client communication takes a lot of humility and patience. There are a few ways of trying to learn how to communicate with clients effectively. Try practicing on those around you. Start small with friends and family, then move on to acquaintances. If you only practice on friends and family, then you will find it difficult to communicate with clients that are virtually strangers. Take the time to practice maintaining eye contact and being empathetic, honest, and coherent.
Project Management: A fun way to improve your project management skills is doing a project that involves multiple people. For example, if you must remodel a bedroom in your house, then invite some friends to help you. Take the time to plan the most efficient way to complete the project and utilize the help of your friends.
Print Production: YouTube can be the easiest resource for learning print production techniques. I’ve included a list of keywords you can search to begin learning print production on YouTube below:
Print production
Packaging techniques
File formatting
Color management
Print production apps
How to use — printers
Different types of print production
Typography: You can find a myriad of online classes that will teach you how to utilize typography in your designing. That said, you can also teach yourself the art of typography with time and practice. Take some time to play around with typefaces and fonts. Watch some YouTube videos on typography to learn some tips and tricks that can help you as you are learning. Ask some friends to look your work over in order to test clarity and readability.
Legal and Ethical Considerations: Be sure to research all legal considerations for your specific project before beginning. Stay up to date on the intellectual laws that come with graphic design. If you are presenting an original work or idea, it is best to read up on copyright laws and how they work. There are a number of great free resources available for you to learn how these laws apply for your own situation. A quick internet search can give you a list of ways to learn copyright. If you are looking for a more structured lesson plan, check out free educational programs like Udemy and edX. Both of these programs offer a wide array of courses on different subjects.
Cultural and Social Awareness: Get to know people of different cultural and social areas, because there may be more differences between you and them than you think. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The best way to gain awareness of appropriate ways to talk to someone is to go straight to the source.
While graphic design schools are extremely beneficial, they do not cover everything you need to know when going into graphic design. Knowing what graphic design school does not teach you is important so you can have realistic expectations once you enter the school. However, filling these gaps in the education you receive does not need to be difficult. Taking the time to educate yourself on these things can help you in many other areas in the long run.
Enzo Lux Media
Enzo Lux Media is a luxury production company located out of Raleigh, NC. We at Enzo Lux Media seek to bring you the highest quality help with all things related to media production. With a team of caring professionals, we seek to bring your projects to the next level. On our team we have a professional graphic designer who can work with you on anything. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us through the info provided below.
