10 Self Taught Graphic Design Tips

PSD Mockup Collection
5 min readMay 27, 2020

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Fortunately, it isn’t required to go to design school in order to be a graphic designer. A good foundation in graphic design history, theory, and practical application will help you hit the ground running.

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There are plenty of resources available in which you can learn graphic design on your own. Don’t set your expectations to high at first, as it will take enthusiastic study for years to become great. You can do it though!

Now, let’s get to it!

1. Understanding the Principles and Theory of Graphic Design

There are a few graphic design principles that effect every project you’ll create. Understanding these principles conceptually and learning to apply them practically will formulate the foundation of your graphic design education. Let’s take a look at the basic areas you should study to get a solid footing in graphic design.

Below are some good resources on these principles.

  • The Principles of Design by Joshua David McClurg-Genevese
  • Principles of Color Design by Wucius Wong
  • Stop Stealing Sheep & Find Out How Type Works by Erik Spiekermann and E.M Ginger
  • Typography Workbook: A Real-World Guide to Using Type in Graphic Design by Timothy Samara
  • A Typographic Workbook: A Primer to History, Techniques, and Artistry by Kate Clair and Cynthia Busic-Snyder
  • Thinking with Type: A Critical Guide for Designers, Writers, Editors, & Students by Ellen Lupton

2. Standing Strong with a Historical Graphic Design Grounding

Philip Meggs book is a must have for every graphic design. You should read it from cover to cover. Also, as you go through spend time researching areas that interest you the most. Pick at least three areas to go into detailed study with and learn as much as you can about them.

  • Meggs’ History of Graphic Design by Philip B. Meggs and Alston W. Purvis

3. Internalize the Graphic Design Process, Conceptual Solutions, Real World Experience, and Creative Application

Graphic designers solve visual problems. The key to teaching yourself graphic design is to understand the process of solving a visual problem. This means you’ll benefit from tackling design briefs.

  • Visual Literacy: A Conceptual Approach to Graphic Problem Solving by Judith Wilde and Richard Wilde
  • Graphic Design: The New Basics by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips
  • Design Evolution: A Handbook of Basic Design Principles Applied in Contemporary Design by Tim Samara
  • My logo design process by David Airey
  • The Role of Sketching in the Design Process by Sean Hodge
  • Working Within Limitations to Achieve Great Designs by Sean Hodge
  • Basic vs Applied Research in Graphic Design by Michael Kroeger

4. Consider Advanced Study and Development

Advanced study can take many different paths for each designer. You may become interested in a related field, and then mold your graphic design education to apply to that field. However, every graphic designer will benefit from advanced study and planning.

  • Grid Systems: Principles of Organizing Type by Kimberly Elam
  • Making and Breaking the Grid: A Graphic Design Layout Workshop by Timothy Samara
  • The Work of Edward Tufte
  • Envisioning Information by Edward Tufte
  • Graphic Design: A Career Guide Edited by Sharon Helmer Poggenpohl
  • Becoming a Graphic Designer: A Guide to Careers in Design, 2nd Edition by Steven D. Heller, Teresa Fernandes, and Steven Heller

5. Learn from Professional Graphic Designers

Aside from studying graphic designers throughout history, you’ll also benefit by studying contemporary designers whom you identify with. A couple designers I found inspirational while I was in design school were David Carson and Carlos Segura. Both of these designers utilize typography in intuitive, innovative, and illustrative fashions.

  • The End of Print: Graphic Design of David Carson by Lewis Blackwell and David Carson
  • 16 Great Graphic Design Blogs and Sites by Danny Outlaw

6. Developing Your Proficiency, Intuition, and Flow

Part of becoming a good graphic designer is becoming one with your tools. If you can wield a pencil, and quickly sketch down conceptual solutions, then you’re a more proficient designer. Of course, when working within programs the same thing applies. If you’re a logo designer, the better you know Illustrator, the better a designer you’ll be.

  • Core Principles for Rapidly Attaining Creative Flow by Sean Hodge

7. Put Together Your Portfolio and Blog

Make sure to create a portfolio (a home base with your own url), and blog regularly on what you learn as you grow as a designer. Three things help get you hired as a graphic designer (in order of importance): your portfolio, your demonstrated experience, your ability to communicate your knowledge on graphic design. You build all three of these over time. It’s not something that happens overnight.

  • 12 Steps to a Super Graphic Design Portfolio
  • Creating A Successful Online Portfolio by Sean Hodge
  • 10 Steps To The Perfect Portfolio Website by Lee Munroe

8. Participate in Online and Professional Graphic Design Communities

Becoming involved in the graphic design community and professional associations will increase your connections in the industry and knowledge of the field. Also, attend conferences and network whenever possible.

9. Keep in Mind that Graphic Design as a Discipline Doesn’t Exist in Isolation

Any study of graphic design will include some connection to related disciplines. Studying art and illustration will help develop your ability to create graphics. Studying Marketing will help you place your conceptual solutions within the context of business and consumer needs.

  • Seth Godin’s Blog
  • Fundamentals of Illustration by Lawrence Zeegan
  • Basics Illustration: Thinking Visually by Mark Wigan
  • The Fundamentals of Creative Advertising by Ken Burtenshaw, Nik Mahon, and Caroline Barfoot

10. Finding Work as a Freelance Graphic Designer

Aside form landing a job directly, freelancing is a career path available for designers. There is work out there for almost all skill levels. You’ll need to work at building your portfolio, negotiating, and your business skills. There are numerous communities and resources online that can help you grow as a freelance graphic designer.

  • 10 Great Places to Find Graphic Design Jobs
  • Freelance Switch Job Board

11. Evaluate if Self Study or Graphic Design School is Right for You

After evaluating the above steps, do some research on schools, and consider the best course of study for you. Not everyone has the financial ability or desire to go to college. Fortunately, it isn’t a prerequisite to becoming a professional designer. The biggest resource in landing a job is your ability to demonstrate your skills, done through your portfolio, and in interviews your knowledge and passion should show.

Going to design school is great, but if you’re diligent you can learn graphic design through independent study. Keep in mind, I’m not saying don’t go to college, as that decision is up to you

(I went to Undergraduate school and I took some Graduate courses). Also, you may be in a position that you’re studying something else, but are passionate about graphic design. Plenty of great designers started in other fields or learned on their own.

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PSD Mockup Collection
PSD Mockup Collection

Written by PSD Mockup Collection

Photoshop mockups, known as PSD mockups, are design layouts which a web designer creates to show how they expect a final website or a product to look.

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