Graphic design is a visual communication discipline that combines lines, shapes, colours and fonts with art and technique. Its goal is to generate aesthetically pleasing expressions of different concepts and messages.

As a graphic designer, your work is a reflection of both your expertise and your creativity. However, it is essential to continually improve your skills and expand your knowledge to stay on top of your game. With the constant evolution of technology, art and design trends, there are always new methods to enhance hone in on your skill and create stunning designs. 

In this blog post, we are going to take you on a walk on knowing some of the key elements of graphics and some of the tools that can help you 

Elements and Tools of Graphics Design

1.High-quality stock images and graphics

Images and graphics are an integral part of graphic design. They can make or break your design. As a graphic designer, you need to have access to high-quality stock images and graphics. There are many websites that offer royalty-free stock images and graphics that you can use in your designs. Some of the popular websites include Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Unsplash. These websites have a vast collection of images and graphics in various categories, including nature, technology, business, and more. Having access to these resources can help you create visually appealing designs that capture the attention of your audience.

2.Typography

Typography is another critical aspect of graphic design. The right font can enhance the overall look and feel of your design. As a designer, you need to have access to a variety of fonts that you can use in your designs. There are many websites that offer free and paid fonts. Some popular websites include Google Fonts, Font Squirrel, and Type kit. These websites have a vast collection of fonts that you can use to create unique designs.

3.Design software

Design software is an essential tool for graphic designers. You need to have access to software that can help you create stunning designs. There are many design software options available, including Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These software options offer a variety of features and tools that can help you create designs for print and digital media.

4.Color palettes

Colors play a vital role in graphic design. Choosing the right color palette can help you create designs that evoke emotions and capture the attention of your audience. As a designer, you need to have access to a variety of color palettes that you can use in your designs. There are many websites that offer free and paid color palettes. Some popular websites include Colors, Adobe Color, and Color lovers. These websites have a vast collection of color palettes that you can use to create visually appealing designs.

5.Continuing education

Continuing education is crucial for graphic designers. It’s essential to keep up with the latest design trends, technology, and software updates. There are many online courses, tutorials, and webinars that you can take to enhance your skills and expand your knowledge. Some popular websites that offer online courses for designers include Lynda.com, Skillshare, and Udemy.

6.Graphic design communities

Joining graphic design communities can help you connect with other designers and get feedback on your work. These communities allow you to showcase your work, get inspiration from other designers, and connect with potential clients.

7.Social media marketing

Social media is an excellent platform for promoting your work and connecting with potential clients. As a graphic designer, you need to have a strong social media presence on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. By sharing your work on social media, you can showcase your skills and attract potential clients.

8.Responsive design

With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s essential to design websites and digital media that are responsive. Responsive design ensures that your designs look great on all devices, including smartphones and tablets. As a graphic designer, you need to have an understanding of responsive design principles and tools.

9.User experience (UX) design

UX design is a critical aspect of graphic design. UX design focuses on creating designs that provide a great user experience. As a graphic designer, you need to have an understanding of UX design principles and tools. This can help you create designs that are not only visually appealing but also easy to use and navigate.

10.Branding

Branding is an essential aspect of graphic design. Branding involves creating a unique identity for a company or product. As a graphic designer, you need to have an understanding of branding principles and tools. This can help you create designs that align with a company’s branding and identity.

Example of more tools used in graphic design… 

Canva

Canva is a great starter-friendly design tool. It is available on both website versions and also mobile apps. It allows you to create any graphic design and to save it in your favorite format.Its library of templates is really impressive. You can make use of pre-made designs to create your own version by modifying them. The models are completely copyright free. You can use the final result for personal and commercial purposes.

On Canva, you can find stock images, hundreds of free icons, shapes and fonts. You can also easily upload your files with a straightforward drag-and-drop feature.

Most of the functionalities are available in its free version but the premium subscription provides extra tools. Premium users can upload their fonts and create a brand kit. It is also possible to resize the final products on this version.

PicMonkey

 PicMonkey is a photo editor and the design tool. And it is the the only tool that allows for real-time collaboration. It is a bit more complicated than Canva but it will enable you to work with layers. It is an excellent way to get acquainted with the layers system. If, in the future, you want to work with professional software, you’ll have to use layers too.

 PicMonkey has over two thousand customizable templates. Its cloud storage system saves every change while you work. You can access the tool both through a desktop and an mobile version. On their website, you will find an extended resource center. There you can learn how to use every feature to get the results you want.

The most significant disadvantage of PicMonkey is that there is not a free version. You can take a free trial to check if the tool works for you, but after that, you will have to pay -even for the basic version.

Inkscape

Inkscape is a professional vector graphics editor. It is free and open-source. You can find versions for Windows, Linux, and macOS. It allows you to create vectorial designs, like SVG files. SVG stands for “Scalable Vector Graphics.” The format may sound familiar to those who craft with cutting machines. It is the best way to create graphics that need any kind of scalability.

Here are some principles to get you started on your journey to becoming a good graphics designer

1.Make sure you have a license for every element you incorporate into your design. When you are new to graphic design, it is common to include some visual items made by others. Also, you will probably enjoy experimenting with fonts. This is all right as long as you make sure that you have a personal or commercial license that allows you to use every resource.

2. You could search for inspiration but don’t copy another artist’s work. In the era of the Internet, inspirations are all around. Instagram, Tumblr, and Pinterest will be your best friends. You can also check another artist’s portfolio at Behance. And it is great to get inspired. Please, use that inspiration to create new artwork. Respect everyone else’s work.

3. Design with a purpose. Design is a communicative exercise. Behind every creativity, there must be a message. If you are just drawing because you enjoy creating beautiful aesthetics, that can be your purpose. But every piece of design must have a meaning.

4. Remember to keep it simple. Especially at the beginning. It is better to focus on working with some specific elements than trying to play with everything at a time. To design is to drive the viewer’s attention. Make it easy for them and yourself.

5. Always ask for feedback. Not only when you are a starter but also at a professional level. Ask for feedback, always. Hearing other people’s perspectives can help you notice some things you didn’t see before and give you a fresh perspective on your design. When you are so focused on developing an idea, there are a lot of things you can miss.

6. Start with making a sketch or two. While it would be nice to create a masterpiece at the first try, only few people can do it. Making previous versions will help you to sharpen your ideas and to find alternatives. And, therefore, to become a better designer.

7. Don’t abuse fonts. We all love a nice and fancy font. A font library is always a great resource. We know sometimes you would like to use them all at a time. And that would be a mistake. It is better to pick one or two, combine them correctly, and stick to them.

8. Stick to a color palette. Same as with fonts: don’t overuse colors. Pick some of them you would like to combine. Color has a substantial impact on visual perception. We have to handle it with care.

Remember that we are all start out as beginners and your first attempt may not be your finest moment. Don’t compare yourself to others. Keep learning and practicing. And don’t forget to enjoy every step of the process.

In conclusion, graphic designers need to have access to various tools and resources to enhance their work continually. Joining graphic design communities, having a strong social media presence, understanding responsive design and UX design principles, and having an understanding of branding principles and tools are just a few of the essential tools and resources that can help you take your graphic design to the next level. By investing in these resources and continuously learning and improving your skills, you can create designs that are visually appealing, functional, and meet the needs of your clients