I'm Going To Tell You Exactly How To Become an Excellent Designer

Same for character design. Look at designs you like, think about why you like it, try to reacreate it, build a visual library in your brain that you can pull from whatever you want.

I have to disagree in one point: This ain't a grafic design lesson, this is a life lesson.

It's amazing how I found this video at the exact time when it is most useful for me.

As a designer for 30+ years, it's rare to find a client that wants or needs the latest, coolest designs. Graphic design is built on a foundation of typography which is a conservative practice that needs to be mastered, Good design communicates.

Man, this was so validating to hear. Three months ago I started a new job working as an in house graphic designer for one of the biggest online retailers in my industry. They had another graphic designer in the past who worked remotely and my supervisor is obsessed with his work. Just today my supervisor goes “I need you to work on something.” And I go to check it out and he goes “Did you make this, you’re not that good to make this.” And he showed a design the previous guy made. I’ve been doing the same method and learning how to copy by projecting his compositions onto my artboards BEFORE watching this video. I felt like I was sinning in design terms, like it wasnt even my work. To be clear I do change it up from his original images different with different color schemes and fonts. But man you have no idea how much turmoil, I’ve been feeling over copying even just the placement of products in an image. I’m on my journey and one day i’ll get it down to be able to compose these images myself. The progress i’ve made in the past few months as an employed GD rather than a hobbyist has been staggeringly different and positive. Thank you for helping me realize that.

I am seeing that many people here are reflecting the advice from this vdeos from their own domains. I would argue that this applies to ALL domains of mastery. The way I've originally came across these ideas through an old Japanese martial art concept called Shu Ha Ri. Shu – In this beginning stage the student follows the teachings of one master precisely. He concentrates on how to do the task, without worrying too much about the underlying theory. If there are multiple variations on how to do the task, he concentrates on just the one way his master teaches him. Ha – At this point the student begins to branch out. With the basic practices working he now starts to learn the underlying principles and theory behind the technique. He also starts learning from other masters and integrates that learning into his practice. Ri – Now the student isn’t learning from other people, but from his own practice. He creates his own approaches and adapts what he’s learned to his own particular circumstances.

I’m not a graphic designer but that is amazing advice for almost any creative medium. Fascinating stuff

“You’re going to borrow the sensibility” Wow… thank you for this

50 years ago this is exactly what I did to teach myself graphic design. I have no idea why. And now this process is what I share with new designers. Thank you so much for making this video!!!!

Disturbingly strong, true and meaningful words in such a honest manner I've never experienced so far let alone as a free advice from an expert. All I can do now is to copy another comment: "It's amazing how I found this video at the exact time when it is most useful for me." Thank you.

Yasss! I've always said this to designers that I've trained... "Become a good OBSERVER first. Be observant of WHAT looks good and WHY it looks good... then copy every detail of it." Great advice!

I’ve been working as UXUI designer for +4 yrs and I don’t have my own path yet. After I watched this videos I processed thought of why I don’t have my own design style but wanting it. The answer was so simple.. I haven’t developed it. Since my career started I only designed for my company not for audiences or users directly. So I just focused on making a result by copying. Finally I’ve been trying to make my own design work and build up my path too. I’ll still do copy but I’ll build up my originality too. This video motivated me keep up my efforts Thank you for the video

I'm struggling to land a graphic design job because I'm not copying, I'm trying too hard to have my own voice, but you helped me realise that I'm overthinking things and it's easier than i thought, I just have to copy until I become part of the cool designers, land a job, then eventually find my voice, excellent video you earned a new subscriber !!

Refreshing to see actual advice and not some clickbait diary entry that doesn't give any practical advice like 90% of art videos. Thank you.

I don't know much about print design - I'm a filmmaker - but I know that advice is universal and extremely effective. I also really appreciated how good it was to hear a direct unvarnished call to value your originality, be an individualist, don't be driven by conformity to the norm and approval of the in-group but cut your own path. That is a sentiment that today is frequently taboo or poorly received. Maybe it always has been...

Step 1: Buy oversized colourful glasses.

This tip might seem simple at first, but it's incredibly powerful for new designers and those exploring new mediums. I've helped a few designers transition from graphic design to UI, and the biggest challenge is often their lack of a strong repertoire. Thank you for sharing this, Elliot! :)

First, loved your story...maybe because I worked in NYC in the 80s and was totally intimidated but directed. I worked in publishing in the photo department of magazines and worked my way up to being a director of photography...I worked with Fred Woodward at Rolling Stone for a few years. For me the same sort of practice -- copying -- was so common in photography. Young photographers would work with famous and talented and in demand photographers, leave the studio and look like a weak version of the person they assisted. The good ones would very quickly jettison their old bosses' techniques or style and create something unique for themselves. It honestly was thrilling to see someone leave a studio and in as little as a few months create their own personal way of shooting. (btw, I have been a commercial photographer for years and I hope my work can at least look like mine vs other photographers I admired...!)

It's important to remember that true mastery comes from not just emulating but also evolving past those influences to forge a distinct creative identity 🎨.

Yes - that’s what I did. And I copied anything - better homes and garden or Swiss poster stuff. It helped me know what type sizes worked, what different margins did, colors, etc. I took that knowledge and applied to my work. No copying but using the technical specs-small type is good 8pt or whatever. When you learn to play an instrument you play cover songs. It’s the same idea. Great lesson! And you don’t need school for that.