Blog

Learning what not to do from crappy design

Whenever I feel as if I am not progressing like I would I go look at crappy design. You can see plenty of bad design in a subreddit called crappy design. There are many times when I get so frustrated looking at the subreddit. Because if you see any of the work that is posted it will blow your mind how such a thing is out there in the world.

Then you will learn how many people think they will save money by doing it themselves. Not saying its impossible for a business owner to design something themselves. But the main thing is that the quality and skills would be very miniscule. For example you would not try to perform a heart transplant without having the knowledge and skills and or try to build a house without knowing how to lay a foundation, how to read a ruler and etc.

Another good thing about looking at crappy design is learning what not to do. For example if you see a design that is poorly designed you would say to yourself they must have done this in a couple of minutes. Also you may say to yourself I could’ve done this better. Then looking at bad design will allow you to develop a better taste of design.

Developing a better taste is what will help you develop better quality. Style is what the result of having a better taste in design. Just take a look at design agency/studio that has a beautifully designed website that will result in them having a good taste of how their office looks and flow into other parts of their workplace.

Don’t be afraid of rejection

You may be wondering ok what is the point of the picture. We’ll this was some concepts for a client that was rejected. I felt as if why would they reject this. Just look at how beautiful the New York is and how the flourishes are. Yes I know it looks a bit rough saying to myself

Getting rejected can be utmost pain to have happen to someone. Do not look at rejection as a bad thing.  I learned quickly to not get offended. Because if you get offended as a graphic design professional that shows how unprofessional you are.

When in the situation ask what it is that you could’ve done better/different to meet the expectations of the project. All of designing is a learning experience to constantly improve and get better. Making mistakes and getting rejected is the only way you’ll get somewhere.

But don’t be a fool to keep working for a client who rejects your work and is in control of the process. What I mean is they should be letting you do your part. You’ll save yourself a headache, energy and time wasted dealing with worthless and unappreciative people. Remember that if you are not failing your not getting anywhere.

Why I enjoy calligraphy so much

My first calligraphy piece I posted to instagram ^

My latest piece I posted ^

If you look at the first picture you can clearly see the progression that is made. One I have gain a better control over my letters. Also various other parts of the process. I have also slowed down when I do a project. Calligraphy has helped me slow down a tack things even more seriously.

Calligraphy is a skill that can get frustrating. By frustrating you can sit and wonder why are my letters not how they should be. Why is the ink not flowing well, why is the nib dry and etc etc. Knowing that if you rush through a letter you will not be able to produce a good quality piece.

Flourishes are something that comes naturally. At first my flourishes were horrible and they are a bit better now. But they can improve even more. Flourishes are as if they are dancing on your page.Flourishes have helped me in my design process even more to always have a place for something.

Calligraphy is a great skill/hobby if you have the patience for it. I personally chose calligraphy because everyone else is mostly doing hand lettering. But not to say there’s not many calligraphers I just prefer calligraphy over lettering.

Embrace your crazy ideas

We all have ideas that can seem a bit far fetched and out there. Which therefore may seem useless to act upon. Because we immediately think oh that will be too much work and or it would not work. A good thing that I learned from skateboarding is a quote that I used to write on my griptape “Risk It”.

While risking it may seem as if a fairytale thing to do.  Do it any ways and then you can be happy that you did not settle for less like everyone else does. You have the capability of designing a product that people will want and or creating that website you’ve been sketching and have yet to start wireframing in photoshop or whatever the project/idea may be act on it.

Embrace your crazy ideas and let them drive you. Let them drive you to dream and fulfill your creative spirit’s desire. You only get one shot at life so make it count and the same goes for presenting work to a client/group.

Knowledge is the new money

This could not be more true today then before. The more knowledge you have just think of how much more valuable you are. But as I have said before you can know everything in the world but if your not applying it then its useless.  Because you can procrastinate on that web design project or logo design project. Maybe your just lazy frustrated that you have not progressed in your work quality.

Well going back and reviewing the rules of design does no harm. Knowing the rules and etc will only help make you better. Then you have to realize that being just a graphic designer is not going to cut it. So therefore learn a skill that will help you create a niche for yourself. For me as you all may know I have been learning web design and calligraphy. Which I really just went to school for graphic design.

The reason I chose calligraphy and web design is because one calligraphy is not something you’d expect a graphic designer to be able to do. Also the upsurge of hand lettering coming back. So in the hand lettering niche I chose calligraphy to specify. Web design I chose it because its a skill that is needed now. Although at times learning web design can get frustrating I don’t give up.

Remember this and you’ll be alright

Don’t wish it were easier wish you were better – Jim Rohn

The Enemy of Creativity

The enemy of creativity is good taste. If you are a designer developing good taste can be something that seems impossible. Because when you are starting or it could be currently your situation of producing work that you know that is not at the level that it can be. Being creative is something that has to be disciplined and structured.

When your creativity is structured you are able to developed what good tastes is. The same thing can be applied to having a Honda or a Bentley. There you can see that the brand of each car details a certain level of taste. When you are designing you should look closely at the details of work that you drool over each day.

You know when you sit on behance or tumblr, instagram or wherever study the work. By study I mean to learn and look about what it is they did to come up with the design. While you are looking at the work start to look at placement of things and how they can work together.

Expect better quality of work from yourself and your work quality will improve.

Happy New Year

Let me first start off by saying Happy New Year and I hope you made it home safely. For JostenDooley.com I wanted to continue improving and providing material for you all to enjoy.

Some things I wanted to run by everyone to get feedback on ideas I had

  • Post youtube videos of me talking about design
  • Giving away poster design files for you to enjoy and print on your own
  • Create an Etsy shop and sell posters
  • Write an Ebook about design and give it away to you all

What are your thoughts about these?