New Design Weapons of Choice

With clients expecting more and more from designers, especially freelancers, learning new digital skills has never been more essential! I recently found an inspiring article online that showcased the works of designers who have taken the plunge, endured the short term pain and are now reaping the benefits of an extended repertoire of skills.

Yes, who can afford to turn down good projects these days? And, to be honest, the most creative and interesting ones usually require you to work on a team of designers from different genres, so why not leap out of your comfort zone and tackle more of the cross-media tasks yourself, especially as more new design projects these days criss-cross different media platforms?

So, ask yourself what would be your new design weapon of choice? You have to focus on a particular set of skills to attract the clients you want and match your interests. Many established illustrators and designers are expanding their creativity into areas such as web design, 3D modelling, animation and video effects and this does mean facing new software challenges in learning programs such as Flash, HTML, Cinema 4D or Maya or After Effects, but don’t be daunted by this, it’s not as difficult as you may think and it certainly offers up new commercial opportunities! Besides education is an on-going thing. We are all aware of how quickly technology evolves and how one can get left behind so quickly. You simply have to push yourself to keep up. So where does one start? Invest time and cash on a formal course, or teach yourself? Whichever way you choose, just get started.

Some sound advice from Rod Hunt (www.rodhunt.com) is not to tackle all programs at once. Focus on a tool that can easily extend your current skills, so that you remain passionate about your work, and, most definitely, excited and challenged.

World famous Jeremy Andrew (www.jeremyville.com), agrees that extending your prospective skill set sets you apart form the crowd. He himself has expanded his own skills into animation production: producing a whole ad, from art to voiceovers, to directing, and supplying the agency with completed files. Jeremy is also working in New York on a range of toys and involved in 3D design with KidRobot (www.kidrobot.com). Ben o’Brien (www.bentheIllustrator.com), a former 2D animator who dived into Illustrator to see what could be done, and is now a respected illustrator too.

But don’t get carried away – collaborative work, coupled with some formal training, is  a fantastic means to entering new design disciplines as you learn as you go along.  Jeremy Andrews of Jeremyville, reiterates that what matters always is how you meet the brief. You can do a great ad with simple execution as long as the  concept is strong. – it doesnt work the other way round! Dutch illustrator, Mark Verhaagen, too was thrown in the deep-end and made the choice to see it through. He was asked to animate a bumper, promo and leader for Nickelodeon. Becuase of time constraints, he asked a friend to join in the project and together they made it happen.

So don’t be afraid to earn new things! Check out our featured courses this month, HTML & CSS Essential Skills and Illustrator Essential Skills, or call us for customised training in web publishing and motion graphics (for groups of 5 or more) and get the clients you really want!