Ask HN: Where can I improve my graphic design skills? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Where can I improve my graphic design skills?

#11

Post by Banekin » Thu, Jan 27, 2011, 4:03 AM UTC

komlenic wrote: post #5

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592532616/ This is a general design book, but one that is packed full of information and examples that you might find helpful. It's not a how-to book, but if you feel like you can recognize "good/great" design, but can't really produce it yourself: this is your book. You won't look at anything visually creative the same way again. Otherwise, consider: "when all you have is hammer, yo…

I just got this and it's phenomenal. This is exactly what I needed, thank you so much.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I improve my graphic design skills?

#12

Post by Banekin » Thu, Jan 27, 2011, 4:05 AM UTC

dsawler wrote: post #10

Is your problem not knowing what it is you want to create (or, what an "updated" version of that design would be), or do you not have the skill set to develop what it is you want to create? Or both?

Both. For instance, on a lot of the YC and newer startups (I can't really cite them from memory) you see these really nice background patterns on landing pages, however, I have no idea how they are made. I have very little formal training as far as graphic design is concerned, so while I might be able to make a pretty logo following a tutorial I'm afraid the fundamental structure of the page will be bad.

Someone on this thread recommended a book called Design Elements, and it's great and just what I needed actually.

Re: Ask HN: Where can I improve my graphic design skills?

#13

Post by dsawler » Fri, Jan 28, 2011, 2:22 AM UTC

Banekin wrote: post #12

dsawler wrote: post #10

Is your problem not knowing what it is you want to create (or, what an "updated" version of that design would be), or do you not have the skill set to develop what it is you want to create? Or both?

Both. For instance, on a lot of the YC and newer startups (I can't really cite them from memory) you see these really nice background patterns on landing pages, however, I have no idea how they are made. I have very little formal training as far as graphic design is concerned, so while I might be able to make a pretty logo following a tutorial I'm afraid the fundamental structure of the page will be bad. Someone on t…

So, I think reading about design is a great way for you to learn the basics and principles (I highly recommend The Non Designers Design Book).

Once you read that, then I would suggest to start reading some well known web magazines, maybe like Smashing or VecTuts/PSDTuts to go through some tutorials and help you understand just how people use noise on a button, or a drop shadow on a button, etc. Then again, I think these things are sometimes over the top and used because it's trendy. But, you can make your own decisions.

A lot of people just use Photoshop patterns made by someone else for those background images (http://patterns.ava7.com/tag-beige.php,http://designm.ag/res...). Find a pattern, fill > pattern, tada!

Re: Ask HN: Where can I improve my graphic design skills?

#14

Post by Rhodee » Sat, Jan 29, 2011, 12:57 PM UTC

I use all if not most of the sites folks mentioned. But I took your question of learning to mean interacting with others (forgive me if I am wrong). I came across P2PU 'School of Webcraft' that might be worth a look-classes pick up again in April.

Here is the link to the school: http://www.drumbeat.org/p2pu-webcraft

and to courses: http://p2pu.org/webcraft -- good luck!