With the recent addition of the new dimension of digital media, the area of graphic design has multiplied its growth. At first, the graphic design tended to be more concerned with print media. But since the emergence of social media, the amount of material produced and consumed has multiplied tremendously. Because of this, graphic designers’ work has expanded in scope and has become more in demand.
However, new prospects can bring stress and pressure from work. Another general issue with the graphic design industry is the overabundance of designers. There are fantastic online tools accessible to assist folks who do not have an understanding of traditional design applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, or Corel. All that is required is a good computer, an internet connection, and an eye for design.
Graphic designers work with a variety of clients and projects over the course of their careers. From creating logos for the website to Free Vector icons to different elements of the website, their work is always upfront. This blog lists some of the challenges that graphic designers run across the most frequently and offers solutions. If you are a graphic designer, you may relate to the challenges quite quickly, and there is a strong probability that you will find some simple answers to them. Have a look:
1. Ineffective Communication and Workflow:
No matter the industry, effective projects start with effective communication. But for graphic designers, a lack of efficient communication may be a big problem. The same is true of process. You need to be aware of the project’s progress as a designer. This issue has gotten worse as remote work has become more popular.
Solution: The only method to guarantee smooth communication is to create the right channels. Slack, Asana, Trello, and more useful project management and communication applications are accessible for you to test out. To make sure that your designs are delivered on time, you should also establish a review process and follow it.
2. Keeping Updated With Design Trends:
The designers constantly feel that there is something new that they are unaware of, despite their best efforts to remain on top of the current trends. Additionally, design trends are always evolving. Even in design, there are always changing trends that affect print, packaging, websites, digital marketing, and other design-related fields, making it challenging for designers to stay on top of them all.
Solution: It’s a good idea to bookmark several top websites with articles on a design that cover diverse trends. You should also make a point of setting aside some time each week to browse design-related websites like Behance, Dribble, etc. Instagram in particular may be a fantastic resource for determining the most recent industry trends in digital design.
3. Creating Convertible Designs:
These days, one of the most frequent criticisms designers hear is that their work is attractive but doesn’t generate leads. However, as the field of digital marketing becomes more cutthroat, customers increasingly want magical designs that can boost their income and conversion rates.
Solution: There are a few things that designers may bear in mind to produce designs that can have a greater conversion rate, even though there isn’t a certain link between designing and conversion. Designers should be knowledgeable of a variety of other variables, including psychological concepts, color theory, and others.
4. Delivering Irrevelant Design:
Not being able to produce designs that are appropriate for the brand or market is another issue that designers struggle with, which is a continuation of the first point. The kind of brief you receive as a designer will rely on the customer, their comprehension of design, and their engagement in the project. Consequently, you cannot rely on it, and you must first complete your research.
Solution: Design research is a distinct academic discipline. But in order to conduct the necessary research before developing, a designer must create their own set of procedures. Understanding the brief must be done as a first step. Then you can see what other companies are doing to compete in this market. You may then plan out your design based on it.
5. Creating an Impressive Graphic Design Portfolio:
The strange lack of imagination displayed by graphic designers when creating their portfolios is pretty evident. Because they are constantly preoccupied with work, the portfolio is never produced, and even if it is, it does not accurately represent the designer’s skill. Although every designer encounters this issue, they never give portfolio creation tasks top priority.
Solution: Creating an outstanding graphic design portfolio is an art form in and of itself. As a designer, you must approach it as a branding effort in which you build and promote yourself as the brand. For inspiration, you should first examine the newest trends and several existing portfolios. You may develop a visually attractive, clutter-free portfolio based on that and your work to assist you to acquire better work.
6. Finding the Best Third-Party Tools:
Sometimes, additional tools are required in addition to the usual design software. If you are cooperating with another designer or developer on a project that is outside of your comfort zone, this requirement becomes even more pressing. There are several tools provided by third parties that can help you, but choosing the right one for you might be challenging.
Solution: Choosing the ideal third-party tool is comparable to buying shoes. The first one you see shouldn’t be chosen. Make sure it is ideal for you, fulfills your needs, and is pleasant for you to use. Always read the reviews posted online for these instruments. Choose the free demonstrations or trials if they are available, and once you have the necessary data, decide which tool to utilize.
7. Figuring Out Website Design:
Print design, digital media design, package design, website design, and other specialized design streams are only a few of the many distinct design streams that make up graphic design. A single designer cannot excel in all of the streams. Website design is one issue that most designers struggle with. The life of the designer is really challenging since there are so many interconnected aspects of website design.
Solution: Although there isn’t a quick fix for this, designers can set aside some time to research issues linked to website design, such as user interface, expertise, responsive website design, etc. They can then become more adept at this with practice. The important thing is to keep in mind that, unlike other visuals, a website is made up of several moving pieces, thus their design will be relevant to one another.
8. Finding Work of Good Quality:
Finding high-caliber work is the next issue that arises after creating a fantastic graphic design portfolio. This is more of an issue for designers who are independent contractors. Even established designers may experiment with freelancing to make additional money and gain new skills. Finding work, however, relies on a variety of circumstances, including your location, desired rate for your services, and skill level.
Solution: The good news is that there are several internet venues that pay well for freelance design work. You may apply at Freelancer, Fiverr, Guru, Dribble, and many more sites after Upwork. You must set up your profile, display your work, and begin submitting job bids. Additionally, there is a tonne of design competition websites where you may participate in tasks and earn lucrative rewards.
9. Overcoming the Creative Block:
A creative block is an issue that receives the greatest attention from the community of graphic designers. There will be instances when you are working on a project but are stuck. This may be the result of a poor brief, a lack of imagination, or just exhaustion. But you cannot stop working or producing low-quality designs using this as a justification.
Solution: There is a creative block, and the first step toward overcoming it is to recognize it. After that, you must determine the root reason. If you are lacking in ideas, you should go to your design research notes. Surf the internet more in search of new design ideas. If the block is caused by exhaustion, go for a stroll or do something fun. Nature is a major source of inspiration for creative people. There are also other minor activities you may perform to overcome this creative block.
10. Finding Creative Fonts:
Designers sometimes experience a lack of high-quality design resources, particularly typefaces for their projects. As a designer, you either become bored with using the same typefaces or the customer presses you to come up with something original. In any case, you will always feel that your font collection is lacking and that there is a nice font out there that you need to look for.
Solution: For designers, having solid typographic expertise is essential. You must be aware of which fonts would work best with specific designs and what other fonts they can go well with. Using that as a starting point, you might look for bold fonts, calligraphy fonts, or vintage fonts. Additionally, keeping a folder structure for your typefaces as a designer will be a good habit and useful for searching.
Wrap-up:
To the outside world, a graphic designer’s life may appear to be cool, but in reality, they frequently deal with the challenges listed above. You should make it a habit to read or at the very least look at fresh design work if you want to succeed as a designer. As you continue to hone your abilities and diversify your portfolio, you should maintain doing so. You must push your creative authority while maintaining clear communication with your clients. When it comes to your career as a graphic designer, if you can perform a few things effectively, you can succeed.
