“I believe that learning without implementing what has been learnt is only half the battle."
October 31, 2023
Occasionally, I receive inquiries about breaking into brand design or even the tech industry in general. That is why I am writing this article.
This article serves as a roadmap for aspiring brand designers, but it can also be applied to learning any skill or breaking into any industry. This roadmap consists of three steps:
Learning the software
Learning the skill
Learning the business.
PS: If you are a designer reading this, you might have even followed these steps unknowingly.
Let’s dive in!
📌 Learning the software.
To hone your desired skill, the first step is learning the software. This involves researching and familiarizing yourself with the tools and features of the software. Practice tutorials and replicating already-made or published works can help you understand the capabilities of each tool and shortcuts.
Learning the software is important because it allows you to explore multiple skills that can be achieved using the same software. It also gives you the flexibility to switch between skills or professions easily. For example, Adobe Illustrator is used by brand designers, digital illustrators, and fashion designers for vector graphics.
Starting with the software allows you to discover the possibilities and choose the skill that suits you and brings you joy.
As stated in my previous article (Brand Strategist X Brand Designer), I mentioned that the essential software a brand designer should learn includes Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Figma. However, if you are just starting out in brand design, I recommend beginning with Adobe Illustrator, as it is the most important tool to learn.
Personally, when I want to learn a new software, I love starting from the tutorials curated by the authors of the software. Below are a few resources to get you started with Adobe Illustrator.
Once you have mastered the basics of a software, it is time to delve deeper into the skill and understand the process behind creating successful projects. In terms of design, it is more than just moving lines and shapes it is intentional, it serves a purpose and tells a story.
In the case of brand design, this involves learning how to develop ideas for a brand identity, craft a memorable identity, translate strategy into design, tell a brand’s story through design, build a portfolio, and present ideas and concepts. This step is crucial in understanding how professionals in the field work to deliver successful projects.
Additionally, brand design is a constantly evolving skill, as each project has its own unique personality, giving you the opportunity to create new and innovative designs, such as a specific style of brand pattern or illustration. It is important to continue learning and growing as a brand designer to stay up-to-date with industry trends and techniques.
up-to-date with industry trends and techniques.
Listed below are some useful resources to learn and improve yourself as a brand designer ;
Once you have mastered a skill, it is important to learn the business aspects of that skill in order to turn it into a profitable venture. This step involves learning how to sell your services, negotiate prices, handle contracts and bookkeeping, network, and find ways to earn more from your skill. This is particularly crucial for freelancers who are running their own businesses.
This is also where you learn about the variables that affect your pricing and how to charge based on personal or economic situations.
Learning the business aspects of a skill can help you make informed decisions about pricing and understand the factors that affect your pricing.
Here are some useful resources I have found helpful in learning about the business side of brand design: These resources may also be useful for other skills, so do well to check them out.
In conclusion, learning is a continuous process, and it takes time to master a skill. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results — it is a journey, and with determination and consistency, you can succeed. Remember, learning is only half the battle (50%)—implementation is what truly matters (100%).
Currently, I am learning UI design, and I have passed the first step by learning the essential software “Figma” and am proficient in it. However, I am a little confused on how to learn more about the skill, that’s why I am currently searching for internships that would enable me to learn more about what a UI designer does and gain hands on experience. So, if you have an opening for a UI design internship in your organization or team, kindly reach out via[email protected] or Twitter DM
I hope you enjoyed this article and learnt a ton. I’m rooting for you to be the best you ⚡️⚡️.