May 13, 2008 – 9:50 am
Tips and Tricks for Becoming a Great Designer
I’ve been an advertising designer for over 17 years in the biggest and best advertising agencies in Pittsburgh – I even ran my own Pittsburgh advertising agency. I must confess that through all my years in the advertising field, design is something that has never been easy for me. Being able to always stay on top of my game, constantly produce creative ideas and execute the design, takes as much discipline and training as becoming a Jedi. It takes years of practice through trial and error to develop design skills and there are tricks that every Jedi designer should know.
Jedi Designer Mind Tricks and Best Practices:
Surround yourself with other great design Jedi and find yourself a master Jedi to guide you through the force. This is one of the best design Jedi practices. Being around other designers helps you learn and grow. You can learn tips and tricks from experienced designers. You can get feed back on your designs from other trained eyes. If you are lucky you will also get to work with great art directors and creative directors. This is not always an easy thing, but trust me if you are willing to learn, working with experienced and successful design professionals will help you be the best.
Creative Brief Is Your Own Personal Yoda
Always, always, always (when it is possible) work from a creative brief. A creative brief is like having your own personal Yoda to help you with all his infinite wisdom. All the answers to your creative ideas and executions will be in the creative brief if it is developed correctly. My best work has always been developed when I had a great creative brief.
Summon Your Creative Yin-Yang
Learn how to summon your creative yin-yang at any moment. Unfortunately, we do not always get to choose when and where we need to be creative. So we have to train ourselves to call on the creative force at any moment. During my creative training, I have learned that asking questions, no matter how stupid they may be, helped me. Being creative in the advertising field is not just about making pretty pictures, but about solving problems with design. So, ask the questions that you need to know to design a great marketing solution.
Weaponry Of A Design Jedi
Design Jedi weaponry will not be in the form of a deadly light saber, (to bad, cause it would come in handy on account executives – kidding, lol. We love AE’s!!!) but will be in the form of a deadly Mac or PC. And no, this is not the splitting of the forces - Mac’s and PC’s will always be on the side of the good force. Both the Mac and the PC are 100% capable of doing a great job of winning design battles. Either of these platforms allows you the power and programs you need to be the best.
Design Jedi Environment
Creating your design Jedi environment is all in the way you think creative. Your environment needs to have elements in it that make you feel and think creative. I have found that I respond well to inspirational quotes, great design books, fun toys and objects, a fan and scented candles. You have to create your space and most likely you will be in a cube or small space, so you have to be creative.
How To Inspire A Design Jedi
Inspiration for the design Jedi comes in a lot of different varieties. Some of us design Jedi get inspired from nature and others from the roar of a big city. I have found inspiration comes to me in a lot of ways. I find inspiration in music, nature, movies and especially in books. Also, be prepared to write inspired ideas so you don’t forget - Inspired ideas will hit you at any moment and when they do, write them down.
Design Jedi Fun
For some fun I have found a link to a Jedi Name Generator. Go claim your name and wear it proud.
I hope this article helps you in your journey to become a great design Jedi. If you are not a design Jedi and would like to employee the services of LeDonne Creative give us a call 412.853.4932.
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