Dear DP graphic designers, My question is just simple but your answers would mean so much. What do you think are the most vital skills for a designer to have or develop in the course of his career? Anybody could also share his or her thoughts, not just graphic designers. Thanks!
It is hard to say, because technology is developing everyday. In the old days we use Frontpage to build website but now we use Dreamwaver. Who know what software will come out? So, I think, for a designer, good idea is the most important thing we should have.
Technically updating yourself is the important part for the invention your creativity accordingly to the current generation...
I can say that a good designer must be updated with the tools or software needed to make a good graphics because we all know that there are still programs that are being develop to improve the quality of graphics in the future. A good designer must know the right combination of colors and have a wide range of imagination wherein you as a good designer can concept and visualize the design that you want to create.
It depends a lot on your specific work area like Logo designs, Mascot Designs, Web Designs, Landing Pages etc they all require different aspects and skills as well. For ex: if you are heading towards web designing then a designer should always make sure that the design he is making should be practically possible with XHTML/CSS. On the other side making sure that your design is seo friendly and uses minimalistic approach while reducing the heavy usage of images etc. There are so many factors to concern, just make sure that you keep yourself updated with latest technology trends. And most of all, try to be innovative and create your own style of designing to keep your standards high in the market.
Absolutely, a designer must be attentive about the new great tools out there. I really appreciate all your views and in fact I love them.
Elements and principles of design, layout and composition, color theory, strategic marketing, concept development, copywriting, and typography. Technology, coding and computer programs are really just design tools. The underlying skills listed above are much more important than the tools used to create designs. Web sites are simply one type of media; a good designer would be able to design for a variety of media.
Learn to use paper for draft. Realize the tools often tell you what can be done, not the crazy swirling images in your head. Don't try to make software conform to your ideas. Use your ideas to bring out what can be done in the software. You're allowed to tell a customer "no" when they ask for something stupid.
the most important skill for a designer to develop, i think, is a sense of art. you can master the most advanced techniques in photoshop but if you don't have any sense of art, they will be useless.
This really makes sense. In addition to that, one should have enough experience as well. What do you think?
I have found that the most important skill is to attract and sell yourself. This is of course dependent on whither you can perform.