Ram V Chary: A Beginner's Guide to Graphic Design

 

Learn All About Graphic Design with Ram V Chary

Ram V Chary says that the fundamentals of graphic design make up the groundwork for all images. These essential elements must be incorporated into a graphic to stand out and be effective. Images can quickly fall flat without them or become hard to look at.  

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On the other hand, though, they are also easy to apply once you understand how each one works. These basic elements include color theory, shape usage, line usage, scale, and form.  

Without color, images would be black and white. While this is still possible, looking at it quickly becomes monotonous after a few minutes. According to Ram V Chary, colors make the world go around, so they need to be used for anything to stand out. The most important thing with color usage is consistency.  

Ram V Chary mentions that if you use a certain color for one element in your graphic, ensure all other elements use the same color. This is part of what makes brand identity, which designers must also be aware of when using specific colors. The last thing anyone wants is for their image to have a "loud" color that takes away from the actual content of what they're trying to convey.

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Similar to colors, shapes are integral parts of graphic design as well. They can be used in various ways and put into endless configurations. That said, designers need to know how and why they use shapes.  

Geometric shapes are great for this because there are so many out there; it's easy to get creative. However, Ram V Chary reminds everyone to be careful with how you use shapes. Just like with colors, if you use a certain shape for an element in your design, make sure that all other elements match up with that choice, Ram Chary adds. 

Ram V Chary: Mixing Graphic Design and Photography

Graphic Design and Photography Go Together Says Ram V Chary

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Combining graphic design with photography is a skill that not all artists share. Design elements must complement photographic elements to make an image work. Ram V Chary shares how to combine the two with excellence in this blog post.

Embrace surrealism. Playing with photographic and graphic design elements enables an artist to create surrealist designs. By using a picture as a background of a design element, the former allows the latter to pop up and stand out. This method has many treatments, shares Ram V Chary. When done correctly, it becomes the perfect companion of a message. Apply typography to pictures. Play around with typography. Preferences for text on design differ from one generation to another. Depending on your target market, typography could either be larger than life or minimalist.

image source: pexels.com

Let graphic design save a bad photo. While it's a bad practice to use graphic design as a fallback for badly taken photos, it's an effective way to save a shot that's good enough. Superimpose a graphic design element onto a picture for compelling imagery. Level up product photography by mixing real photos with graphic design. This technique is used in product photography more often than you think. According to Ram V Chary, well-known brands shoot their products only to add design elements in post-production. However, for this tip, it's worth noting that adding a design element doesn't cover up a bad shot. Product photography and design require excellent pictures.

There can be times when your think tank runs dry. Find inspiration. Read up on new graphic design and photography trends and practice applying them to your work. Many graphic design artists dabble in photography. Marketing and advertising firms need artists that excel in both fields to have solid and cohesive creative directions. The job requires skill, consistency, flexibility, and creativity.

Helpful guidelines for designing a poster

 

Graphic designers are constantly learning how to make good art. And while over the years, the tools used for graphic design have evolved, graphic designers still have to rely on their artistic sensibilities.

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Today’s blog shares some important advice for young graphic designers on designing posters. Ram Chary.

When it comes to fonts, fewer is better.

Often, great art doesn't overwhelm the people looking at it. A lot of young graphic designers end up using lots of fonts when working on posters. Instead of using a different font for each line, you can use three fonts for the heading, the body, and the header or footer. This is especially applicable to posters that also have a lot of images. Veteran designers agree that most of the time, it's best to keep it simple. Ram Chary.

Image source: gomedia.com

 

Just like in life, balance is essential in designing posters.

Newbie designers often want to fill the space with images, shapes, or fonts. They get too excited and use all the elements in their copy. And this creates an imbalance. The best graphic designers suggest that to design informative and memorable posters, graphic designers should make it balanced, embrace the gaps, emphasize the elements, make the information clear, and allow their creativity to shine by letting viewers focus on the most important elements. Ram Chary.

Use stock photos only as needed.

A lot of graphic designers are guilty of overusing stock photographs. Every graphic designer should remember that they're making a poster that needs to stand out. If they have no choice but to use stock photos, edit the photo or play with color and fonts so that their work will have some uniqueness to it. Ram Chary.

Graphic design for beginners in eight easy steps

Over the past year, people have picked up different hobbies and turned their newfound passions into small businesses. For those who may have found graphic design interesting, the idea of turning it into a freelance gig can be playing in their heads. Here are eight steps to becoming excellent in the art. Ram Chary.

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Keep it simple. It can be tempting to incorporate every element into a design. However, it is always best to keep things simple and easy to understand. Nowadays, white space is dominant over other trends. Use it correctly by choosing the right typeface while putting the right amount of text on the canvas. Be consistent with the images. The quality of images, frames, lighting, proportion, and style should be uniform throughout the design. Ram Chary.

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Use italics sparingly. It’s incredibly important to be wise with the use of italics in designs. Most successful images use italics to balance headers and sub-headers, reserving this tool only in small sentences. Utilize separation lines to add impact and style in designs. While this technique does not exactly beautify a design, it sure does help the eyes see what they need to see. Ram Chary.

Practice flat design for improved composition. Recent years have seen an increase in the popularity of flat design in many advertisements. It’s simple, classy, and elegant. For an enhanced sense of order, use alignment. Text-heavy designs can look elegant with proper alignment. Always use a grid when designing. Great designs are often balanced and symmetric. Ram Chary.

The basics of mixing design elements and photography

 

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Photography is a versatile artform that can be mixed with other mediums. Graphic design is among the many art mediums photography can easy blend with. While easy to mix, there are still some guidelines or tips in order to make the combination a successful one. Ram Chary Everi.

Between the two art mediums, photography is more likely to seek the help of graphic design elements so as to salvage bad images. This instance can hamper one from designing with freedom and excellence, especially when a designer is instructed to design from the photos given to them. Bad images are incredible canvases for design experiments. Try translating bad images into two-color GIFs for some retro effect. Ram Chary Everi.

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If possible, illustrate first before incorporating pictures into the design. Detailed designs can work as backgrounds for images, 

producing excellent imagery for different campaigns or purposes. Typography is a large element in design. Make use of graphic design techniques such as typography to cover up second-rate photography. A good illustration carries the power to enhance images and videos that are not necessarily excellent on their own. Remember to check the resolution of images incorporating them in digital designs. Ram Chary Everi.

Make use of emotion. Photography maintains the advantage over graphic design when it comes to capturing and displaying emotion that can be useful for imagery that needs to tell a story. Try a few versions of the design to play with the right tone and emotion. When presenting images to clients, don’t be afraid the blow them up in size. This would help them see the image as a whole and down to details. Ram Chary Everi.

The role graphic design plays in business success

 

Many still do not believe in the power of an effective marketing campaign. Small businesses are generally the ones in need of eye-catching graphic designs that help build their brand. Aside from brand building, there are many ways good graphic design can boost business success. Ram V. Chary.

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Communication is always a factor in business success. Graphic design improves the way a company speaks to its current and prospective customers. Designs can help a clients understand a business’s ideas, products, and services. In a sea of businesses, standing out can be a challenge. Good graphic design helps lay the foundation of an effective branding strategy. By mixing human psychology, impact of color, and artistic harmony, logos are created. Graphic designers must be able to combine all these factors together to reach a design that best represents a company in order to build their brand successfully. Ram V. Chary.

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Generally attracted to any form of beauty, people are drawn to designs that are made with charm and excellence. Good designs carry content and function while looking great. Making a positive first impression attracts people to the brand, and when paired with a great product or service, customers are retained. Ram V. Chary.

Brand recognition and professional image are two incredible factors in achieving success in business which can only be attained through great graphic design. With these two, communicating with current and prospective clients is made possible. Effective designs can help build trust and benevolence between companies and their clients. Ram V. Chary.

Should graphic designers become professional photographers?

 

More often than not, graphic designers need stock photos that would complete their designs. Not many designers have access to amazing, royalty-free images, making photography a skill to master should one want to make the most out of their profession. Ram Chary. 

Image source: diyphotographer.net

Without contention, graphic designers must be good photographers. A designer must acknowledge that composition and design are correlated to deliver top-notch, relative, and impactful designs. There should be balance and a great layout, particularly for web designers. The rules of photography often apply to graphic design. In every profession, burnout is inevitable. Graphic designers can never lose their touch. Dabbling in photography can keep their creative juices pumping while they take a break from graphic designing. Ram Chary. 

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There is no way to learn about color and color theory by experiencing hues in the natural. Photography forces individuals to go out, pick a subject, and shoot it using light and composition. Being a professional photographer allows one to be attentive to image output. Different color schemes on varying light settings produce alternate images. Some designers need a little pick-me-up before they can get the design going. Photography offers them a different perspective than their usual view. Ram Chary.

Graphic designers are known to be relentless, chasing one project to another. And besides, a little side hustle never hurt anyone, especially graphic designers. On top of producing one’s stock images for designs, working as a professional photographer on the side would be a good addition to a graphic designer’s portfolio and income. Ram Chary.

Why are designers using pastel colors for their work?

Ram Chary. In the past, pastel colors have been associated with femininity. However, changes in trends and culture have shown that these colors don't have to be limited to one gender. For those wondering what makes a color pastel, it has to be a shade with high lightness and low to medium saturation. These muted hues have made a statement in countless designs from modern-day artists and designers.

Image source: Pexels.com

Image source: Pexels.com

Why are pastel colors becoming an aesthetic essential for many? According to designers, aside from the fact that these colors are easy on the eyes, these hues also make information on screens more readable and welcoming. As people shift to digital means, bold and glaring colors might be more harmful, especially for those who are on their screens for hours. Soft and light colors can help ease the glare. Ram Chary.

Aside from reducing glare, color psychology suggests that pastel colors exude a calming effect that is like springtime. No matter the season, springtime colors are always in trend. Even if it is not as bright as other colors, it can inspire feelings of happiness, earthiness, and elegance. Ram Chary.

These days, people are also going back to basics. In the '80s and '50s, pastel colors were popular choices for clothing, interiors, and other designs. As more people are embracing trends from the past, they would inevitably encounter hues that are reminiscent of the good old days. Combining the simple past with modern elements, it seems that pastel colors will continue to dominate color palettes in the next few years. Ram Chary.

Fresh takes on graphic design that will rock 2020

All industries rely on graphic design for effective marketing strategies and more. Many teenagers and young adults always want to be knowledgeable in this field of art. Graphic designers turn to social media to share their designs and plant creativity into their audiences. Ram Chary Everi.

Image source: graphicmama.com

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Designs with muted colors will be in demand this year. The trend started in 2019, yet shows no signs of slowing down. For many years, bright colors such as red, yellow, green, and orange have dominated the design space and have helped brands become more established. New companies are exploring the muted color space for their branding. Dreamy and abstract illustrations make great marketing campaigns. Illustrations are hard to copy, therefore making them effective branding tools. Ram Chary Everi.

Designs with 3D depth and realism have gained a large following on Instagram over the recent years. Whether these designs are calming or anxiety-inducing, it's always the artistry that captivates the audiences. Branding experts have incorporated shiny metals into their designs. Generally, it takes on a minimalist approach to design to allow the viewer to focus on the metallic effect. Typography isn't new, but designers have gained another level of love for this design approach. Ram Chary Everi.

Image and text masking still looks modern after many years of being used in the industry. The approach is both mysterious and minimalist, something that is easy on the eyes. Simplified illustrations and animations will be greatly used this year as these convey messages easily and directly. Ram Chary Everi.

The best laptops for graphic designers in 2019

Laptops for graphic designers are generally expensive, as the industry requires no less than high-end graphics that work seamlessly and quickly. This entails having top-of-the-line components and hardware, from the best software and fastest processors to the latest graphics cards and long-lasting battery, says graphics designer Ram Chary. Hereunder are three of the best choices for your design needs this 2019.

Image source: pcmag.com

MacBook Pro 2018

Easily the best of the high-end laptops out there for 2019 is this Apple product, which always comes with its patented Touch Bar. The Touch Bar is big plus, as it’s a segment of the keyboard that can be used to create customizable shortcuts for today’s top graphic designers. It features an Intel Core i7 8th-gen processor, a Radeon Pro 560X graphics card with 4 GB VRAM, 16 GB of RAM, and a 256 GB SSD.

Lenovo Legion Y530

If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, this gaming laptop is a great choice. It has both a dedicated GPU and CPU for various graphic tasks and boasts of excellent responsiveness. It has a full HD screen, an IPS panel with excellent anti-glare, an HDMI port, two USB 2.0 ports, and two USB 3.0 ports. The Y530 is also great for mobility, with a weight of 2.3 kg and an announced autonomy of 9.5 hours. You should be able to easily carry this laptop during business trips.

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Microsoft Surface Book 2

If you’re not a fan of Apple, then this is the best option. Though it comes with a steep price (costing in the same range as Apple’s MacBook Pro), it comes with a slew of monster specs: an Intel Core i7 8th-gen chip, 16 GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 card with 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, and a 512 GB SSD. This is not only is one of the best graphics laptops today, but also among the best Windows laptops ever made, Ram Chary adds.

Ram Chary is a graduate of fine arts in graphic design from Boston University. His services extend to logo design, marketing ads, magazine design, business cards, and graphic art. More on his work and interests here.

Some Graphic Design Tips For Beginners

Often the more prevalent issue with beginning graphic designers is not the inability to draw well, but the unfamiliarity with and application of design theories that make the work stand out. Being talented is good, but being a trained, talented one is even better. Here are some aspects of design to focus on in your designing endeavors.

Image source:osmweasel.com

Use grids: Symmetry, balance, and structure are essential aspects of graphic design, and applying a grid-based approach is important for discipline and crafting. It’s fine to be adventurous, but more restraint and focus are needed at the beginning of one’s career. Know the rules before breaking them.

Get the balance of text and art right: Balance is key, both for better readability and eye-catching compositions. Leading the viewer’s eyes should be the priority; work on ensuring the size of the text does not drown the surrounding design and vice versa.

Know your typography: Choosing the most fitting font types to match the design intention or campaign is key. For the graphics to reach the target market, they must be visually appealing: minimalist when needed, loud when required.

Brush up on color theory: Manipulating color graphics to create attitude and set mood is part of the graphics designer’s job. Without familiarity of and sufficient study of various color schemes, the graphics output will be severely limited.

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Don’t hesitate to revise: While the first rule is to simply start working on the design, the editing part is equally important and often more crucial. Don’t brush off criticism. On your own, develop an attitude of always looking twice at your work and tweaking little details if needed before submitting it.

Ram Chary Everi here. I’m a graphics design graduate and my services include logo design, marketing ads, magazine design, business cards, and graphic art. For more on my work and interests, subscribe to my Twitterpage.

Want to Learn Graphic Design on Your Own? Here are Three Tips

In a highly competitive industry, many novice graphic designers may feel compelled to get themselves into debt to pay for an expensive education. It is true that graduating from an esteemed university can give beginners a leg up, but it is not essential to starting a brilliant career. There are so many stories of young, talented, and dedicated graphic designers who have made it without going to school. Below are three tips that will prove useful for any aspiring graphic designers.

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Learn the basics: The biggest mistake novices can make is jumping the gun. Just because someone is naturally talented does not mean that they can instantly earn thousands of dollars. Similar to pursuing a university degree, novices should start from scratch. This entails learning how to draw, researching on graphic design history, and most importantly understanding that their first artworks will not be good. Graphic designers should always know how to criticize their own work -- in a healthy manner, of course. Only the artist themselves can know exactly how much effort was placed in the work, along with its intended message. Learning how to self-criticize is a great skill to learn when studying the art on your own.

Master the software: As much as many people will say they prefer the olden days of hand manipulation, the truth is, you cannot escape photoediting software. The technology becomes especially important when starting out on your own. Remember that you are competing against those who have received hundreds of hours of training for this, so it is crucial to know and master the basic photoediting software.

Finding your specialty: New graphic designers are often asked to experiment with different branches of the art to determine their real passion and talent. Finding your specialty is crucial to building a great career. It not only reduces the amount of competition but helps the novice feel happier about their work.

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The most important consideration when starting a graphic design career on your own is to take the first step. It is understandably scary, but nothing will be gained if no risk is ever taken.
Freelance photographer and graphic designer Ram Chary Everi loves sharing tips about his work on Twitter.