50 Tips for Graphic Designers

I've been a freelance graphic designer for a couple of years now, and in today's video I'd like to share 50 small, but effective tips that can help you if you're a graphic designer. Whether you're just starting out or if you're a seasoned designer, whether you work in-house or as a freelancer: This list of tips has something for every designer out there.

I think a lot of creatives can benefit from these tips, even if you aren't a graphic designer. Especially from Tip 50.

All of the video's and links I've mentioned in the video:

Photoshop Actions Tutorial (Tip 16):

Blend Modes Tutorial (Tip 23):

My favorite Shortcuts (Tip 28)

How to use Smart Objects (Tip 32):

Time Management for Creative People (Tip 36):

Why Mixed Media is awesome! (Tip 37):

Find out what other designers are earning:

00:00 Intro
00:23 Tips 1 - 5
01:25 Tips 6 - 10
02:34 Tips 11 - 15
04:47 Tips 16 - 20
06:17 Tips 21 - 25
07:47 An Important Message
10:38 Tips 26 - 30
12:22 Tips 31 - 35
13:59 Tips 36 - 40
15:53 Tips 41 - 45
18:14 Tips 46 - 50
20:56 Outro

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#dreadlabs #graphicdesign #illustrator #photoshop

[Dreadlabs]

Any tips I forgot to mention? Let us know your tips to your fellow designers!

[miirunica]

i'm 13, and i love graphics. i go to graphics club at my school, and i love making posters and exploring photoshop and illustrator, and i am so grateful for a supportive fun graphics teacher too!! thank you so much for making these simple yet efficient videos :) ⭐️

[rohinbhatnagarrr]

really liked the video, saved it in my playlist for future purposes, also i am new to this field and learning about graphic designing, it was fun to watch your video

[hebedite]

Definitely #1 is learning the shortcuts, it became second nature for me and now i have to alter other programs to match photoshop/illustrator's shortcuts hahaha,

Also for me taking a class in the basics of Adobe Illustrator, and an additional one about drawing in illustrator was essential for me. For illustrator the best thing i did was to learn the pen tool inside and out!! Do that and you'll be unstoppable.... and impress others by telling them you drew a realistic portrait with the pen tool in illustrator lol. My favorite piece of work is still my portrait I did of Bella Hadid entirely using the pen tool in illustrator back in 2017. Wish I could post a picture of it in the comments honestly!

Keep up the great videos! Love the tips, even when I feel I already know them it's great to be reminded of the fundamentals and to hear from other creatives to keep on track, and stay inspired!

[cheyennerichie]

Great tips!!! Thank you. I will definitely subscribe now & think about purchasing in the near future ❤❤❤

[uzzzba_]

These tips are so helpful, i put them on an excel sheet so I can look back on them. Thank you so much!!

[immy]

have watched a lot of other tip videos but none of them was as comprehensive and thorough as yours! this was the first video i watched of yours and i already subscribed and looking forward to watching all the tutorials you linked.
thanks from a beginner designer!

[jackthompson]

Super useful & insightful as always!

[blkbeardmikeai]

Great video!!! Great tips super helpful!
Tip i can give any new creative: Keep being creative and work towards your dream. If majority of your work isn't what your passion about or you got a gig your dont love, use it to gain the skills you need to keep working at the passion or dream gig. Also sometime its nice to have that day gig pay for the ability to follow more passion freelance jobs/gigs.
Just like Tom said with doing more assets than just a music cover, same goes for other graphic aspects. Client needs shirt graphic, offer a mock up, tech pack or a promo graphic of flyer for the final production piece or for pre orders.
Lets your design skills lead your other creative skills!

[maskedvillain]

So good boss, your video's are really well done, very inspiring video for someone just starting out in the space.

[sameredition]

Really helpful, this is one of the few good videos that YouTube recommended to me.

[pauli]

thanks for this video - it's one of the best design videos i ever watched <3

[roxanalaver]

Hey Tom! Thank you for the essentials and specially for shearing the precious reference document!

[dhirajkadam]

I shall support soon <3 this is my contribution for now

[vg___]

Great videos and especially love the authenticity of your content. keep going!

[yvrary]

these are some of what i had in mind, thanks alot

[joeyi]

Thank you so much for putting this up, it's really helpful!😶‍🌫

[HYON.s]

What a video bro! 👏
Didn't know you but i'm glad i found you! Thak you.

[isbakernation]

DREADLABS!!! can you please make a video on frutiger aero, i know it’s not really close to *your* style, but if there’s anybody that could make a killer video on it it’d be you. please do a lot of research (i trust you would) before hand, like many know how to do the orbs, but also like abstract streaks used in 2000s desktop screensavers. also like option bubbles, like the ‘buttons’ on the wii sports menu (for ‘tennis’ ‘boxing’ etc.) i’m sure there’s much more. lmk if you’d be willing to give it a shot! i love your content!

[jabsjc]

I love this! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 thank you for this work