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Sunday 13 December 2009

51 New Year resolutions for graphic and web designers


The traditional New Year Resolution: some dread it and some embrace it. Of course, it’s not always easy to sit down and decide what we hope to accomplish over the next year. Below you will find a few ideas that I hope will be helpful in making you a more successful graphic or web designer next year and for the rest of your career. If you have more suggestions please add to the list.
  1. Graphic Designers, Code your first web site
  2. Web designers, Design your first set of business cards, a logo, or a poster
  3. Design and Code your first wordpress theme
  4. Learn the basics of Photoshop and Illustrator
  5. Learn the principles of usability in any design setting.
  6. Get a twitter account if you don’t have one. (If you have one, you can follow me too. I know–shameless plug.)
  7. Try out some sort of new online social media.
  8. If you freelance, raise your rates.
  9. Find new and better ways to connect with clients (Google Voice, Google Wave, etc.)
  10. Study Typography more in depth and apply it in your designs
  11. Try a color scheme you have never even imagined
  12. If you are a freelancer, try an office job. If you are in the office, try freelancing.
  13. Get all the info you need from your client by asking the right questions
  14. Start a blog or write for other blogs
  15. Get involved in the online community
  16. Learn the basics of XHTML and CSS (web designers: learn something new–perhaps CSS3 or HTML5)
  17. Take up a new hobby that doesn’t involve design in any way
  18. Exercise the left side of your brain more (give the right side of your brain a rest)
  19. Learn the basics of copywriting
  20. Update your portfolio to meet industry standards
  21. If you don’t have an online portfolio, get one. If you don’t have a print portfolio, get one.
  22. Update your resume
  23. Do some volunteer design work
  24. Use at least one project to defy all the rules you have ever learned
  25. Break the mold of design (especially on the web)
  26. Take an extra class about design at a local university, college, or community school
  27. Teach a community class on design
  28. Give speeches at your local Chamber of Commerce (US) or other business organization in order to find clients and establish a reputation
  29. Learn more about some designers who created things before computers were popular
  30. Subscribe to top design blogs and frequently read from their feeds
  31. Follow top designers on twitter and interact with them
  32. Save for that dream computer you’ve always wanted
  33. Have the guts to buy it (see #32)
  34. Take on odd jobs that sound impossible or above your level of expertise. Then force yourself to be good enough
  35. Start your design process with good sketches and brainstorming
  36. Learn how to market yourself or your client via social media
  37. In your next meeting with a client, be a little more professional
  38. Really impress your clients–current and new
  39. Have confidence in your work. Show that confidence by bringing a contract to the first meeting
  40. Help someone rebuild or fortify their branding
  41. Redesign something just for fun
  42. Learn the basics of advertising and marketing
  43. Take time to be inspired
  44. Simplify your life and Simplify your design.
  45. Avoid these logo design mistakes
  46. Be a little more patient with your most annoying clients
  47. Embrace Failure. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or admit your don’t know something
  48. Clean your desktop off. No, Really.
  49. Go against the grain. Don’t follow design trends
  50. Sell something besides your services. Code a wp theme, write a book, etc.
  51. Organize your time and be more efficient

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