Ask a Graphic Designer anything

Is this pandemic hurting your work?

Asked by 238947 about 5 years ago

UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . Well, in fact I have got busier! Although British, I am based in Spain and so the lockdown here has almost been 4 weeks now and there has just been another 2 weeks added with talks for another 2 weeks on top of that ...crazy and scary times. This is a tourist area and many people work in bars, restaurants or real estate and no one can work. As for me ...I have worked for years from home so nothing has changed ...and now I have a captive audience online (everyone at home and on social media 24/7) and have upped my marketing. I recently taught myself video editing and create marketing videos ...so did a few for myself and it seems to be working. Picked up a few new real estate companies as in the message in my marketing I pointed our that those who sit back and do nothing with their marketing during these times will be forgotten when it finally all gets back to normal and everyone will remember those who kept their brand awareness going. Brand awareness is everything!

304 Votes

Do you use modern technology or are you more old fashioned or both?

Asked by adfasdfas over 4 years ago

UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . In the old days before computers I had no choice but to use the old fashioned way. I started off as a visualiser designing record sleeves, point-of-sale and adverts using nothing but a layout pad and a box of Pantone Pens/Magic Markers. It was really a fun way design and it was the way I was taught at art college. Logos were drawn with a Rotoring Pen after initial sketches and then tidied up using white gouache paint... those were good times and I miss it. But now with todays technology I do not need to do it that way and rely on my imac and Adobe Creative Suite. With my old school creative skills and now computer software skills I combine the both ...but not so much the old school way. So to answer your question ...yes, I still use both methods ...pen and paper to sketch out ideas but the main bulk of my work is on the Mac.... I do miss the old days though

303 Votes

I am going to be selling logo branding packages. I am going to include formats EPS, PNG, JPEG (in RGB) + PDF, SVG (in CKMY) + AI master file. Is there anything else clients want? Do clients require a bleed included for prints e.g letters, bus. card?

Asked by Georgie over 3 years ago

UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . Hi Georgie, glad to someone who knows what they are doing at last ,,,so many people design logos in Photoshop which is the wrong way to go, good to see you are doing them in vector. Just a couple of corrections though the RGB versions are as follows PNG, JPG, SVG and the CMYK versions should be PDF, EPS, JPG ...making sure the CMYK versions are 300dpi. I never give the client the mast file (unless they ask you ...but do not give them the option) because then they have no reason to come back to you for more work or revisions as now they can use any other designer to do that. As for files for print, always supply artworks to the printer with 3mm bleed ...even if there is no artwork bleeding off the edge ...but no need to include the trim marks ...the print will be happy for it to be sent like that. When sending a proof copy to the client do not include bleed as that confuses the client. If they are the ones sending to print then just say you will send print ready artwork once approved. Even with online printers like Vista Print you need to include 3mm bleed and no crop marks when uploading. Hope this helps.

301 Votes

Can you do graphic design with a Chrome Book?

Asked by Alan Jackson is a great singer about 5 years ago

UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . To be honest I did not know the answer so had to Google it. I am a Mac person and always will be. Here is what I copied from what I found out for you: Design Chromebooks are available in two different styles. The traditional clamshell and the 2-in-1 design. When you consider purchasing a Chromebook, making sure that you know which will fit your needs is optimal. Do you do a lot of sketching or drawing, then a 2-in-1 may be better for you as the hinge allows the laptop to fold the keyboard behind the monitor and become a tablet.If you’re a writer or blogger, then the clamshell design may be better for you as the tablet feature might not be a major selling point for you. RAM The amount of memory that your Chromebook has is important. It helps all the programs that you have and the device itself runs quickly so you don’t run into lag times. The standard amount of RAM that a Chromebook comes with is 4GB. If you’re only going to use the laptop for browsing the web or watching videos online, then that’s the right amount for you.However, if you plan on doing tasks that will push the Chrome OS, then you will want to aim for something a little larger. Some models have a range of RAM available from 8 to 16 GB of RAM, however, at that amount, you may have some optional processor upgrades to consider. More RAM is never a bad thing. How much RAM you need, depends on what you plan on doing.StorageWith the Chrome OS on a Chromebook, the storage typically favors using options such as Google Drive or DropBox. In some ways, this may be preferable to some. As long as you have an internet connection, you can access your files and with Google Drive, you can set up documents to allow you to access them offline.So while the amount of storage in the hardware itself might not match some of their competitors, if both laptops fail, which one will keep your files safely tucked away in the cloud? Price The biggest selling point to anyone considering the purchase of a Chromebook is the price. While there are models such as the Pixelbook which can cost around $1,000, a good, quality Chromebook may only cost between $299 and $499.This can be the perfect price range if you’re on a budget, just starting out or even in college where the money is not always available. What Chrome OS Can and Can’t Do There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to the OS on Chromebooks and we wanted to try and clear the fog, so to speak, so you know exactly what the Chrome OS can and can’t do.Because of the operating system, a Chromebook is essentially an Android computer. While using a Chromebook is very user-friendly, being able to access Android applications can add another layer of productivity to a Chromebook. Having access to apps like Spotify, Snapchat, Instagram and many others can make things like marketing your business on Instagram easier.For designers, in the past, Chromebooks did not have access to the Adobe Creative Cloud, but that has recently changed as Adobe has made applications for Chromebooks so you can still use their systems. These apps are Photoshop Mix, Photoshop Sketch, Comp CC, Lightroom mobile, Illustrator Draw, and Creative Cloud Mobile.

294 Votes

Hello sir, do you see yourself doing this until your in your old ages or retiring? No offense but I do see your 57 and while that it not old you will be in your 60s soon. Thanks!

Asked by Samual almost 5 years ago

UPDATE...I have now written a guide to becoming a graphic designer. It is available as Kindle or in print ...check it out here... AMAZON LINK . Hi Samual, no offence taken, but even 60 is not old in todays world. When I was a lot younger I thought 50 was old and past it ...but as I got older I realised that wasn't the case. I am lucky to come from a family that age well. That photo of me in my profile image ...that is me now at 57 ...over the last 10 years I haven't really aged. So I guess when I am 60 I will not look much different if I look after myself. I partied in the 70's, 80's, 90's, 00's ...and I still like a good party in the 20's ...but the pandemic has put a stop to that ...lol. So all the partying and drinking never affected my aging ...but I have never smoked. I am on my second marriage and had my first kid at 50 ...so my, now 7 year old, daughter keeps me young and healthy. Also living in Spain for the last 16 years gives me a healthy lifestyle ...good food and plenty of fresh air in the sunny climate. Just lately I have been connecting with old school friends on Facebook ...and, wow, how much have they aged ...some of them look older than what they are ...so I guess I have been lucky. Anyway, it seems I have wandered off the question you asked ...lol ...I hope to retire by 60 and continue to enjoy a healthy life. I have done the same job for 40 years so have no plans to change ...why change if I enjoy it so much. Over the last few months I have been designing colouring books and diaries etc that I sell "print on demand' on Amazon, so am hoping that will give me a small income with very little effort once retired. I have many loyal, long term clients too ...so would be difficult to suddenly tell them I will not be working anymore ...but that is a long way off yet. Hope that answers your question, albeit in a long winded way ...lol

293 Votes

Yes.. that exactly what I did before I reached out. Ok thank you.

Asked by rosegarza924@gmail.com about 5 years ago

To be honest, when I first started out as a graphic designer in 1981 there was no such thing as computers or internet so had to be creative with my thoughts and unable to research ...that is how you become unique in your own style ...it is great practice for you and you will be a better person for it

293 Votes

What’s the dumbest thing someone tried to get you to make or had you make? Did you actually do it?

Asked by Cecil over 4 years ago

Well, no actual job has been dumb ...but have been asked to design something for free many times which is a pretty dumb thing to do as some people assume being a graphic designer is a hobby for fun ...but it is my full time career that pays my bills. ...so I guess that may answer you question ...and no, I do not work fro free so I guess that answers the second part of your question

293 Votes

Graphic Designer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Is this pandemic hurting your work?

Do you use modern technology or are you more old fashioned or both?

So you wanna be a Graphic Designer?

I am going to be selling logo branding packages. I am going to include formats EPS, PNG, JPEG (in RGB) + PDF, SVG (in CKMY) + AI master file. Is there anything else clients want? Do clients require a bleed included for prints e.g letters, bus. card?

Can you do graphic design with a Chrome Book?

Also on Jobstr...

Hello sir, do you see yourself doing this until your in your old ages or retiring? No offense but I do see your 57 and while that it not old you will be in your 60s soon. Thanks!

Yes.. that exactly what I did before I reached out. Ok thank you.

What’s the dumbest thing someone tried to get you to make or had you make? Did you actually do it?

Graphic Designer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Is this pandemic hurting your work?

Do you use modern technology or are you more old fashioned or both?

So you wanna be a Graphic Designer?

I am going to be selling logo branding packages. I am going to include formats EPS, PNG, JPEG (in RGB) + PDF, SVG (in CKMY) + AI master file. Is there anything else clients want? Do clients require a bleed included for prints e.g letters, bus. card?

Can you do graphic design with a Chrome Book?

Also on Jobstr...

Hello sir, do you see yourself doing this until your in your old ages or retiring? No offense but I do see your 57 and while that it not old you will be in your 60s soon. Thanks!

Yes.. that exactly what I did before I reached out. Ok thank you.

What’s the dumbest thing someone tried to get you to make or had you make? Did you actually do it?

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