| -link"> | | | | involved in the project. That’s why it’s |
| Let’s face it, it’s never going to be an | | | | always good to have someone with fresh eyes to |
| easy task looking for a good designer. There are a lot | | | | see things that the customer may have over-looked. |
| of affordable graphic designers that are readily | | | | Innovation is a word commonly used by a lot of |
| available but more often than not, they are out for | | | | companies — either in brochures, magazines or |
| good references. This market can be quite confusing. | | | | on websites. There’s a difference between |
| The question is — what is the correct graphic | | | | being innovative and creative. Being creative means |
| design? | | | | getting the best of the given outlines/constraints. Being |
| Anyone can work with PhotoShop but does this make | | | | innovative means thinking above and beyond the given |
| him or her a good designer? There are all sorts of | | | | limitations/boundaries. A good designer will know what |
| graphic design qualifications that can be obtained | | | | vital questions to ask customers. A bond and trust |
| — this, too, doesn’t necessarily mean you | | | | needs to develop between the designer and the |
| are a good designer. Design is being, an object, an | | | | customer. Once this has been establish, then together |
| organism
an entity. | | | | the boundaries can be broken. |
| Graphic design tells us a visionary story. It’s the | | | | A good designer of course needs inspiration, creativity |
| way we react to it psychologically and the way we | | | | and motivation is also the key. Most importantly a good |
| associate ourselves with designs by forms and | | | | designer needs to be in touch with what’s going |
| colours. Designs need to communicate and reflect | | | | on around. In-tune to what is evolving — this will |
| customer’s visions, needs and profile. At the | | | | need to be passed on to the customer who may not |
| same time, the design needs to separate the | | | | be aware. This happens a lot. |
| customer from their rivals. For example, a when | | | | A good designer needs to take into account a |
| printing onto a CD, the design should be easy to | | | | customer’s strategy, and market position. The |
| duplicate and reapply (Mass duplicating CD/DVD's with | | | | design needs to generate sales, revenue and get the |
| the same image etc). | | | | point across to their target market. Choose wisely, |
| The customer will submit an outline of ideas of which, | | | | choose carefully is my advice. |
| a good designer must be creative with. There’s | | | | There are a few factors to consider if your design is |
| no point in being over creative, designs also need to be | | | | for a CD/DVD label or, if it’s for paper-based |
| put into context. While all this needs to be taken | | | | materials. CD printing is a different process to paper or |
| onboard, most importantly, a good designer will have to | | | | sheet printing. The print heads and inks are different. A |
| cope with financial and time constraints. A good | | | | CD or DVD usually has a plastic white-faced surface |
| designer would have mastered all of these areas. | | | | area. The design for a CD label or a DVD label has to |
| Customers have control of how their own business | | | | account for the centre hole in the disc. Take for |
| works. The customer can always get caught up too | | | | example, if a project involves a CD in a colour card |
| much in the thought process, as they are heavily | | | | wallet. Usually, the designs on both are the same. |