Many freelancers search for graphic design jobs over the internet. The reason behind this is that this industry is thriving and has a lot of potential. The internet has made it very easy to find opportunities for freelancers and business owners with regards to design projects.

Graphic design is one of the most popular categories where freelancers search for outsourced project opportunities. Several designers are starting to do freelance work as it provides them a lot of work related opportunities and also as a medium to exercise their amazing design skills.

Another reason why freelancers search for design job vacancies through freelance websites is that they get paid very well. They are paid for displaying their lucrative art and their vision for creating designs. Freelance designers have their own artistic independence that other designers who work within an organization do not have.

Freelancers search for design job vacancies because they hold expertise in creating and generating visual presentations and graphic designs related to different objects, products and goods. It is a good way of producing quality work as a freelancer because this way the designer is able to show off his creativity in a natural manner.

As a profession, freelance graphic designing is expanding day by day. A good freelancer designer should be able to communicate in an excellent way through his skills. He should be able to portray his sense of vision through his design. The demand of freelancer designers has increased over the years quite significantly. Many employers are advertizing their project requirements on freelance websites every day.

As a freelance designer, one must be aware of his target market so that he can benefit the most out of his skills. Otherwise, if he has no idea where to look for work, then he will not be able to get any work at all. For this purpose, there are many different websites that offer job listings for freelance workers.

Many freelancers search for design jobs because they know what their skills and abilities are and they know what they can give out to the world. But to find good quality designing work, it is required to build a suitable portfolio so that clients are able to see and judge the work. Freelance websites are a great place for graphic designers to find work. Besides that, interacting with other freelance designers and strengthening network related to designing, can benefit a lot.

The explosion of contest sites and crowdsourcing in the graphic design industry, concern over plagiarism has grown significantly, as a result of the speed at which ideas circulate. Before we go casting stones, we need to define plagiarism. The best way to explain what plagiarism is to make the distinction between concept and execution.

Concept: a logo with a dog

Execution: a logo of a black lab with a blue collar, 2″ x 4″

There is nothing wrong with creating a logo which has a dog. For example, Georgia, Georgetown and Louisana Tech all have bulldogs for their logo. Each one is different, but the concept is the same – a ferocious looking bulldog with a collar. The execution of the concept is in the color, shape and minor details of the bulldog, making each one unique. Copying one of these executed designs is plagiarism., but creating a logo with a bulldog is not.

In a situation where you suspect your work has been copied, approach the topic with caution. Never dismiss the possibility that it was done unintentionally and without malice. Sometimes a designer may have seen a design long ago and stored it away in memory, only to have it resurface later, forgetting from where the idea came. It happens and it’s an honest mistake. When designing, you can never be too careful or take too much time in doing your research. Take a look at some other designers’ work before starting on your own. There are several sites you can explore including: Brandstack, LogoPond, LogoLounge, and Creattica. Bear in mind that it’s OK sometimes for logos to appear similar as well.

In all, a lot has been said on the topic of plagiarism, but enough can’t be said to keep the whole industry and designer community conscious of the potential pitfalls in such a subjective profession. It’s all our responsibility to keep this in check, but it’s really simple to do so. Just be well-meaning and do your homework.

In need of a new image for your company, or just missing the fresh, inspiring brand? Here are some tips that should take some of that worry off your back:

The Gs:

1. Goals are the wheels guiding probably every human’s life and maintaining a clear picture of what your goals are is the first thing that needs to be done before choosing the best graphic design agency for your company. Be sure to know what you expect the agency to do for you, what your image should reflect. Reducing the number of options by defining your needs is the first step.

2. Get recommendations. Ask around, look for companies that resemble your ideal of marketing aspect and check their graphic designers. Always check for references though, make sure to follow reliable sources.

3. Google it. Run a Google search for the background of the agency, its previous clients and any relevant reviews. Make sure to know whose hands you’ll put your company’s brand in.

The Rs:

4. Respect the craft and make the designers respect your ideas. The graphic design agency provides the transition between the company’s image and the public. They will transcribe your assets into an aspect that will stand out, so be sure to communicate accordingly with them.

5. Remain within the boundaries of your budget. Have a detailed overview of what your expectations are, but also of the resources allocated for the design. However, keep in mind that quality comes with a price.

The Es:

6. Expect them to come up with more than one solution. Two or three models would be ideal, while it proves very useful to have examples of alternatives.

7. Essence is most important. Does the way the agency work fit your company? Is it sending the message you want your company to express? Have a critical thinking when it comes to choosing whether to hire them or not. A good graphical design agency should provide what you demand while allowing their own style to improve the overall image.

The As:

8. Art is subjective and graphic design is a form of art. What makes art appreciated from this point of view is originality and simplicity. Be sure not to hire someone who uses the same pattern over and over again. Also, don’t get lost in the details, think outside the box.

9. Answer all the questions the graphic designers will have for you as detailed as possible. Not only will it help them build the perfect style for you, but you will catch a glimpse of what their focus is on. Then you should be able to judge whether it matches your expectations or not.

The T:

10. Time is money and deadlines need to be respected. Don’t be a constant stress, let them do their work, as long as they are punctual. Even so, if they exceed the deadline, you should move on to finding a new graphic design agency.

Finally, a GREAT image for your company is what this graphic design agency will provide, if you keep these tips in mind.

Start with sketching

To reduce the time spent in front of a computer, first put your basic ideas on paper. You will thus reduce the risk of getting your eyes strained parallel to saving your time with the software. If you have a great design to start with, you will have fewer chances of having to undo a bad one.

Get sufficient sleep

Research shows that sleep deprivation cause irrational behaviour. You don’t want to turn up at work acting absurd and expect to do outstanding design work. A better strategy would be to get the required amount of sleep and work fewer, yet more productive hours.

Manage your repute

To be perceived as a good communicator, who delivers excellent work consistently and always meets deadlines, pace and organise yourself. Take on few, selective projects to maintain overall work quality and set aside some time for in-depth Skype conversations and detailed emails to appear accessible to your clients. Make a list of tasks not related directly to graphic design elements.

Identify your niche

You might start your career as a versatile graphic designer; however, it would be wise to identify your niche and focus on being an expert in some areas. By doing this, you can spend more time and effort on researching and focusing on specific areas of design that you are passionate about. You will enjoy each project more, establish your repute as an expert in your precise field and do better work on the whole.

Use professional fonts

Since free fonts are ‘free’, graphic designers are tempted to use them frequently. Be careful about the ones you choose because many have been put together poorly. You don’t have to avoid using them completely; however, it would be wise to experiment and explore a new professional font to ensure that it performs suitably in various situations.

Learn to use keyboard shortcut keys

Because most of your computer work will require the use of a mouse or stylus, using keyboard shortcuts can provide occasional breaks for specific muscles. You will save on time as you can click keys and move your mouse simultaneously. You might even reduce your workday by a minimum of half an hour by using this very simple strategy.

Find the right clients

Cost is always a major issue among graphic designers and the usual mistake is charging too little. The best approach to set up a client list is to establish yourself as a professional and an expert. You can then collect a few selective clients’ suitable and enjoyable projects for yourself. Since they will know that you provide good services and work quality, they will agree to pay you more. Remember to keep your workload reasonable and your reputation radiant.

A person can use many methods when looking for part-time graphic jobs. They will need to use a bit of patience as well as persistence in order gain success. Many resources are available for job seekers who have recently obtained an Associate Degree in Computer Arts. The internet is one of the best places to explore the options that are available. Many reputable companies will advertise a variety of positions that are available on the internet. A person will need to research all the occupations that are available in the graphics industry.

Before individual starts to apply, they will need to create a portfolio. This needs to consist of samples of different pieces of work that they have created themselves. The goal of a portfolio is to show a prospective employer the different skills and techniques that have been acquired in school. In addition to a book of samples, a résumé needs to be devised. This document should include grades attained in school. Other items that are implicated in a résumé are accomplishments that are achieved academically. In addition to a portfolio and resume, a cover letter is highly recommended. The goal of this would be to catch the hiring manager’s attention in a company. This essay will give them a brief view of the candidates who have applied for a position. It is vital that the cover letter is well written; advertising the many traits and capabilities acquired during school. It has been proven that those people who include a cover letter that is well written, obtain an interview.

Once an individual has the opportunity to interview with a potential employer, they need to make it a priority to send a thank you letter. This document needs thank the interviewer for their time. A person should also remind them about the few traits that make them a desirable employee. By taking the time to create a combination of a résumé, portfolio and cover letter, a person will be able to find their niche within the graphic arts industry. Once a career is attained, a person will be able to thrive and grow by working in a production that they are passionate about. It is very important to have a career that a person is content with. That is why it is so important to take a job search very seriously. A person’s hard work will pay off in the end. This reward will be a long lasting career.

In my opinion, designers should not find their style but instead, they should keep trying new styles continuously trying to improve and take their work beyond the point that is their comfort zone. Think about it, if you kept improving your work at the rate you did at the start of your career, you you would definitely be a better graphic designer today.

How you can continually improve as a graphic designer? Read some of the following suggestions to find one that is right for you.

Study design tutorials

Design tutorials provide an excellent way to advance your skills. These tutorials explain the process of reaching a specific outcome by going through the complete process in detail. Tutorial sites generally explore a diverse range of skills, like photo manipulation or text effects. Select a good site that covers good technique, and pay attention to the workflow and the procedure.

Look for inspiration from diverse sources

Inspired designs cannot be created with limited sources of stimulation. Look for offline influences that can influence your work positively. Inspiration can be found anywhere in everyday life, in nature, and in bizarre and transitory events. You can explore posters, movies, street signs and photography for variety and creativity, which will ultimately reflect your work, making it richer and increasingly profound.

Choose specific designs

If your designing is consistently based on similar themes, improvement can be difficult. In my experience, creating a design around a particular idea can be effective. Instead of nature, try manipulating your design around a personal favourite such as a quote or song, or even a memory. It can be quite fascinating to create a design based on an obscure entity.

Use your pertinent talents

Diversity is crucial for diversity in your design project, and is also the key element for improvement. An excellent way of creating variety is by using some of your additional talents. If you draw or sketch very well, you can scan the hand drawn sections and creatively incorporate them into your designs. You can use your skills in calligraphy in a similar way, by merging them with your knowledge in digital typography. If you don’t have any relevant creative skills, learn something new.

Be original and passionate

Don’t just go with the trending styles in design, because the numerous images that all look similar, do not show much effort to improve. Your goal must always be to produce unique and original work, and the best way to be innovative is to be passionate about what you do. If the inspiration for your design comes from something within, something you are passionate about, such as love, friendship or loss, it will reflect in your work.

Welcome feedback, even go looking for it

Feedback is an excellent tool for progress as a graphic designer. Feedback can be received from a variety of sources and you should try to get the maximum benefit out of them. Ask other designers for feedback and useful tips on how you can improve your design. You can try to get feedback at highly regarded design websites, from your friends and family, your social networking accounts or from your personal blog.

1. Time to focus on your day-to-day business, instead of managing your project and Designer. An experienced Designer works without supervision, manages the design process, and keeps the Client updated and involved when necessary.
2. Knowledge of what Marketing strategies will work for your business. By recommending proven-and-true marketing strategies that have proven successful for other clients, an experienced Designer can save you from wasting time and money on creating pieces that do not produce results.
3. A strong strategic vision for your business. These Designers are trained to solve complex visual communication problems, and together with a Marketing Strategist, can present you with a long-term plan for marketing your business.
4. The ability of doing more with less. Everyone is trying to get the most for their money these days. And, a Designer who has been in the industry for awhile knows the "tricks" to stretching your dollar. An experienced Designer can recommend design, web and printing methods that will save your business time and money.
5. Creativity. Duh.
6. Innovation. Experienced Designers keep up with the latest technology and marketing trends. That way, you can be confident your piece will not become quickly outdated and difficult to update. And, you do not have to do any research yourself.
7. Adaptability. Marketing goals and project requirements change. An experienced Designer expects this, will roll with the punches, and keep the project going with an enthusiastic smile.
8. Integrity. In a recent study conducted by Graphic Design USA (Aug.12, 2008 ENewsletter), integrity ranked higher than creativity, as the single most essential quality that people seek in a Creative Leader. An experienced Designer will always have the Clients interests in the forefront of their minds.

Hopefully, these benefits of hiring a more experienced Graphic Designer have convinced you not to hire cousin Mike (or any other inexperienced Designer) to design Marketing materials for your business. Your business' success is hinged upon your marketing strategy, and how well that vision is executed and presented to your audience. Professional Marketing and Design is an investment that will pay off over a reliably short period of time.

The use of 3D modeling in graphic design is becoming more commonplace and is used in a wide variety of different fields. The process of 3D modeling is to represent a three dimensional surface object, whether it be inanimate or living, with specialized software. Also referred to as 3D computer graphics, a business can benefit in many ways from using this technology within their graphic designs. The use of 3D models in graphic design is now widespread, and many computer games actually used 3D modeling before computers could render them in real time.

Nearly all 3D models can be divided into two different categories, those that are solid and those that are shell/boundary. Solid models define the volume of the object and are more realistic, although much more difficult to build. They are used mostly for non visual simulations, including those developed in the engineering and medical industries. A shell/boundary model doesn’t represent the volume but the surface area. They are easier to work with and these are the types used in film and video games.

3D models are used in many different industries. For example the movie industry has come to rely on 3D modeling as today’s story lines and the need for special effects remains constant. Actors often find themselves acting opposite a blue screen and having to imagine their co-star, who is actually added in later via 3D modeling. This is true for both animated and real-life motion pictures. The medical industry is able to make significant advances through the use of 3D graphics as they can use detailed images of organs and other parts of the body. Today video and computer games look almost real with the incredible detail that has been achieved through 3D technology. Models are used in science and research to great effect, and within engineering time, money and effort can be saved by generating 3D models of designs, vehicles and structures, not to mention that structures can be tested to some degree with a higher element of safety. Buildings and landscapes can also be constructed by using this technology within the architecture industry. More recently earth science professionals are using 3D geological models, all developed through the use of 3D modeling.

A graphic design company can help your business use 3D modeling effectively and to great benefit. With so many businesses having a website as part of their advertising platform 3D modeling can help you present ideas, products or services from a completely unique perspective. Your businesses marketing potential can be enhanced as clients can take virtual tours of your facility, a 3D character can guide them through your website and clients could even experience 3D versions of your product. Not just for the Internet your business could also use models within instructional CD-ROM or DVD’s, and you may find it easier when taking photographs for print advertisements to use a 3D model instead of the real product, particularly in cases where the product may be dirty, it is dangerous working industrial equipment or it is hard for the photographer to access.

A lot of people are now interested in becoming a graphic designer because it is currently in demand by many companies worldwide. These jobs are needed in virtually any industry out there because many businesses are trying to expand in building their brand and company presence online. Because of this, they need a web team that will handle their online requirements and necessities, and this includes coming up with web content that they can publish on their site.

Websites should be engaging and one way to make it stand out is by having an outstanding content, web design and layout and digital media to entertain your users. A graphic designer will be able to help you out in creating digital content such as images and design layout for your website that can attract the attention of your site visitors. Images play a big part in making a website entertaining and interesting, so you should consider having these in your home pages.

Aside from web content, images are also used in advertisements and many other things to promote your business offline. A graphic designer takes care of the images that are going to be used in order to promote your products and services through traditional media. They do the layouts for many brochures, ad placements in print media such as newspapers and magazines, and even in non-traditional media such as dressing up buses and vehicles with your advertisements. They also do designing or revamping of company logos and coming up with designs that are used in other promotional materials such as t-shirts, badges or business cards.

If you want to become a graphic designer, you should be trained in using software that is intended for image creation and manipulation such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel Draw. These are the industry standards in creating images that are used by companies in their advertisements or promotions. You can learn how to be adept at using these programs by enrolling in a university and getting a degree in multimedia arts.

Alternatively, you can also sign up for an online program where professionals teach the usage of these programs to become a good graphic designer. These classes are very affordable and can teach you how to use the different software that industry professionals use in graphic design. Also, these classes will teach you techniques that you can use in image manipulation and design. You can manage your time better with online classes as manuals and the video tutorials are accessible anytime you want to continue your studies. There are also a lot of websites created by many professionals that give tutorials on graphic designing that you can check out for free.

Being a graphic designer is interesting as there are lots of things that you can do in your job. You will be able to work with lots of talented and creative people that will inspire you and give you ideas in creating image content for your product. This is a very enriching job and if you like working while practicing and honing your craft and your art style, you will definitely enjoy being a graphic designer.

In today's world graphic designers play a very important part in the business world. Why? If you pay close attention, all over the place you will notice charts, diagram, billboards, and all types of different images competitive for the public's attention, trying to influence and convince us. The reason why graphic designers try so hard to persuade us is because they are hired by major corporations, retail stores and publishing firms to advertise there products or ideas in the hope of convincing individuals to buy what is being advertise. However, being a graphic designer goes far beyond the ability to draw, therefore, let's take a look at the training you can to do before even entering college.

Novice training on becoming a Graphic Designer

1. Drawing play is a very important part; therefore take drawing courses while you are still in high school.

2. Although drawing is important, you also need to have a good respect on computers. Therefore, by joining computer lessons you will be able to learn computer software like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, InDesing and many more computer program that will make things easier on you get to college.

3. Purchase books on this subject and rigorously practice on improving your drawing and computer skills.

4. Keep a close eye on the different designs on television, newspapers, and on the streets. Try to learn from them and try using your own colors, describees, and shapes.

5. Research fonts and design styles that are popular and on demand.

6. Use the internet as a tool and take some online tutoring.

7. Once you are out of high school try to get a degree in fine arts, advertising, or computer graphics.

8. Work on a portfolio and once you enter college, try joining an internship program to further polish your skills.

In order for you to become successful, you need to learn valuable experiences, knowledge, self-discipline, be able to work independently and with a group. You also need to work hard and have a creative mind, learn how to manage your time, and if you think you are different from the rest, when it comes to graphic design, different can be better. If you want companies and people to recognize your abilities, the sooner you start polishing your abilities the better.

If you are serious and passionate about becoming a graphic designer, now that you have read this beginners training guide on becoming a graphic designer you can start working, while you are still on high school. After all, a novice graphic designer earns approximately $ 35,000, while an experience graphic designer earns approximately $ 62,000 annually, sometimes more !! Start training now, and become a graphic designer.