eLdavis

As much as I enjoy using the paid or premium tools, there are times when I prefer using the free tools. For me, I do not mind if the tool is free or paid; the most important thing is that it has what I want, and I can use it to achieve my goals or the purpose I need it for.

This might sound weird, but I do not have any favorites when it comes to graphic design. Yes there are some projects that has really stressed me in the past and there are some I enjoyed doing but that's pretty much it. I just simply try my best to enjoy myself and avoid pressure whenever I am making a design.

I started graphic designing as a hobby. I was just simply curious about beautiful designs where made and loved creating one of my own. Fast forward to the year 2021, and I decided to take it to the next level. It became more than just a hobby for me, but a source of earning and meeting ends meet.

When it comes to my journey in graphic designing, tutorials has been a major part of it. From time to time I always make research on design tutorials to learn new tricks in Photoshop and to improve my skills. I doubt there is any designer out there who hasn't used tutorial videos on YouTube or anywhere else just to help improve their skills.

I have used AI to create some graphics designs just to see what it was like, but I have never used it for a client before, nor have I tried to sell them to anyone. I would rather prefer to sell my designs to others. This way I can be proud knowing that my hard work is out there for people to appreciate.

I have created lots of designs in the past before, but I have never really tried creating a theme design before. To be honest, I feel I might not be able to do it, but then again, I might be wrong because I have never really tried it.

A few months back, I tried using AI to create some designs just to see what it was like. I must admit it was nice being able to finish a design in seconds but it felt off. I really didn't like the feeling that I can't really control much of how the design turns out. I know you can simply narrate to the ai what you want but for me a designer it felt off and like I was cheating. I have used ai to create specific backgrounds for projects before though.

My favorite design tool has and will always be Photoshop. I started using Photoshop around 2021 or there about if I am not mistaken. I was first introduced to Adobe illustrator but I was finding it extremely hard to understand or find my way round the work space. That was when a friend of mine asked me to try Photoshop. The first day I tried it, it was so easy to understand and I just liked how for some reason, the work space felt so familiar.

To be honest, I have made a lot of mistakes that I can't even keep count of any longer. There was one time I made a design for a client before getting paid. In the end, the client refused to pay me. Last year I misspelled a word and only found out about the mistake after I had printed it out. I had to spend extra in reprinting the whole thing again.

The graphics design sector is a very competitive field. From time to time, new methods keep popping up. One of the ways to stay relevant in this field is by always staying updated with the latest trends. One way I stay updated is by researching on the latest designs, and picking up classes to constantly upgrade my skills.

When I first found out AI could create designs in seconds that would take us humans hours to do, I was scared. After a while, I believe while AI would make things difficult for us designers, it can never replace us. These designs created by AI lack the emotions the designs created by humans carry.

Color theory is a very important tool for graphic designers. When it comes to a design, the colors a designer chooses has the power to make the design stand out or simply look awkward. The colors a designer chooses has the ability to give the design emotions and as well communicate with it's target audience. This is the importance of color theory.

I do not see anything wrong with using free tools for a client. I have used a lot of free tools such as Canva, free versions of Photoshop, and websites where I can download free resources while designing, and I still charge my clients. The tools might be free, but my level of knowledge on how to use these tools is nowhere near free. It took me years to learn those skills, not to mention how much I spent in acquiring the skills. With what I am earning right now, using paid tools or premium tools might be too much for me to handle, but using some free tools has made things easier for me. There have also been situations where I had no choice but to use a paid tool or premium tool for a client cause I could not find what I needed in the free tools, but I always ensure I deliver a professional job irrespective of the tools I use, paid or free.

It depends, when it comes to web, a designer is in charge of the looks and feel of the web, such as the beautiful templates and the likes. A developer on the other hand is in charge of creating the codes that aakes the site works. Both hhaveto whave tod in hand to get the final product.

Due to the introduction of artificial intelligence known as AI, a lot of people no longer value designers. I have come across certain clients that after giving them my price, once they can't afford it, they don't even put in effort anymore to bargain. They just rush to the nearest ai apps to create their own design. While the use of ai will definitely make things difficult for us designers in the future, but it can never replace actual designers. Our designs comes emotions that ai lacks.

I started using Pinterest officially this year and so far it has helped me a lot. Before making a design I tend to check Pinterest for inspiration and other samples of designs made by experienced designers.

Whenever I am done with a design for a client, before sending it there are persons I have a habit of showing the design to just to hear their thoughts about it. I also always ensure to ask my clients for their reviews. Hearing their reviews usually helps me grow and know the areas I need to improve on.

For me, while I have some designers I follow on various social media, I mostly use Pinterest. When it comes to searching for samples and downloading resources, I believe Pinterest is one of the best places to go. It is also extremely easy to navigate.

I have been in the graphics design field for three years now. I first started graphic designing as a simple hobby. Back then, whenever I saw flyers and banners, I was always curious about how they made it. After a while, I started experimenting with Canvas on my own; then I started going for free and paid classes. It is a competitive field but worth every experience.

I started designing with Canva, and later, I was introduced to Photoshop, and I completely fell in love with Photoshop. A lot of designers today tend to look down on canvas, but in reality, it is a great design tool, especially with the new AI features added. In the end, it is mostly a matter of personal preference. My choice will always be Photoshop. Though I believe I still have so much to learn in Photoshop I have been using it for three years now.