How do you learn new skills and techniques for using brand design tools and software?

The internet is your design playground! There are tons of free and paid resources to explore, from in-depth tutorials on YouTube to awesome courses on platforms like Skillshare or Udemy.

There's a goldmine of knowledge waiting to be unearthed online! From in depth tutorials to bite sized podcasts, you can explore a treasure trove of resources to hone your brand design skills. Learn the tricks of the trade from industry experts, delve into logo design secrets, and master the art of color. ((Don't be shy)) join online communities, ask questions, and watch the design masters at work. With dedication and these online riches at your fingertips, you'll be crafting phenomenal brands in no time.

I dive into online tutorials and communities where I can learn from others and get hands-on practice. It’s all about experimenting and staying curious!

I stay ahead in brand design by exploring new tools and software through online courses, tutorials, and hands-on practice. I also keep an eye on industry trends, learn from fellow designers, and experiment with different techniques to keep my creativity fresh! ????

YouTube "University" is probably one of the best tools for learning new skills, thought processes, and techniques when it comes to design in general.

Learning by doing is the ultimate hack. 1. Don't be afraid to jump into personal projects or volunteer your skills to create logos, social media graphics, or mockups. 2. This hands-on experience will solidify your knowledge way faster than theory alone.

Another approach to learning new design skills is to join design communities or collaborative groups where you can participate in group projects, share ideas, and learn from others’ experiences while building your skills.

There are two main ways in which I tell creatives how to learn new skills and grow their expertise in design. 1. Copy 2. Create Your Own Projects. Now, when I say Copy, I don't mean plagiarizing someone else's work and passing it off as your own—let's be clear here. I mean, if you want to learn how to do what other designers are doing, the best way is to recreate their work—sometimes multiple times. You don't show the work or try to claim it as your own. Instead, you use it as an internal teaching tool. Once you've learned the skill, the best way to flex and improve upon it is by creating your projects—don't wait around for someone to hire you because they most likely never will. You can just start creating for yourself and share it.

The only way to build your portfolio is to start working on real projects and having real-world experience is essential for starting your career as a brand designer. If you can, start freelancing and offer deals to companies you know you can held. Otherwise, you may have to volunteer your time to get a few real-world projects into your portfolio.

As the saying goes, practice makes perfect, and brand design is no exception. To truly solidify your skills and master those design tools, take them for a spin on real projects. Build a brand for yourself, a friend's business, or even a local non-profit. This hands on approach lets you experiment, tackle genuine design challenges, get valuable feedback, and most importantly, build a portfolio showcasing your capabilities in action. ((Don't be afraid to push your boundaries)), use this as a chance to explore new software, styles, and techniques, and watch your brand design prowess flourish.

In today's AI-powered design landscape, the old adage "garbage in, garbage out" applies more than ever. Mastering the art of prompting will become your secret weapon. Focus on this AI!!

There's no substitute for rolling up your sleeves and diving into the thick of things. Theory and watching tutorials on YouTube can only take you so far (and I'm a huge fan of tutorials!); it's through hands-on experience that you truly learn. Also, don't be afraid to experiment or make "mistakes". Some of my best work wasn't intentional lol.

The design world offers a variety of tools, each with its strengths. 1. Experiment with different ones like Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), Figma, or InDesign to see which one clicks with your workflow.

If you are an adobe expert you have to disconnect yourself a little bit from that and go around, try affinity, try davinci, you have to try, even if you don't get the same level like in adobe, the most important aspect here is to develop your skills beyond your software, a designer is a designer with or without the software, you have to be able to be creative no matter the software, this is why the basics are key, once you get the philosophy of design you can replicate it everywhere no matter the tool PS: remember before software people were drawing everything and using metals to mark spaces, if they did it you can survive without your favourite software

I'm a big fan of Canva because it's so diverse - there's a lot of different options you can create and you can be guided by templates or have free rein. There's also handy built in help options in there.

1. Put your work out there. Dribbble, Behance, and Instagram are a great place to start. The design community is pretty supportive. You'll not just get feedback on your work, but also access to useful resources and exposure to cool tricks to help you level up. 2. Always ask for feedback from the client, not just on your work but also on your processes. Leveling up in both the areas is equally important. 3. As you get more and more work under your belt, you will learn to get better feedback from clients and make the most of it by learning the heck out of it. 4. Leverage AI. Use Gemini and ChatGPT to brush up on your fundamentals and learn new ones. Use MidJourney and LeonardoAI for design inspiration. 5. BE HUMBLE AND A LIFELONG LEARNER.

Don't be shy about sharing your work with other designers or online communities. Getting constructive criticism helps you identify areas for improvement and learn from different perspectives.

Design is a conversation, not a solo act! Feedback is your secret weapon. From clients to fellow creatives, every opinion is a gem. Embrace the Critique. Listen, learn, and let it fuel your growth. Don't just take it – use it to reshape your work. Remember, every critique is a chance to shine brighter

Recibir críticas es un arte y te explico cómo debes enfocarlo dado que al ego no le gusta para nada este proceso. ?? Las críticas no hablan de tu persona sino de la pieza gráfica que estás presentando. ?? Todas las críticas son parciales y debes tomarlas en consideración pero con distancia. ?? Tu criterio siempre debe prevalecer porque se trata de aprender a pensar y no de hacer lo que nos dicen los demás. Es fundamental desarrollar tu propio discurso. ?? Ten paciencia con el proceso. Aprende a salirte del medio y a tomarlo como lo que es... la opinión de otro. ?? Practica la soberanía mental. Necesitas claridad para saber moverte en un mundo con exceso de ruido.

Getting feedback and critiques is probably the most valuable resource for advancing your skills in brand design. Reddit actually has a lot of value for this purpose since you can interact with experienced designers who can offer special insight in addition to constructive criticism. There are entire subreddits designated for sharing your work, engaging in discussions, and receiving feedback. This peer-to-peer interaction provides a real-world perspective that's invaluable for honing your craft, understanding current trends, and even for refining your knowledge of design tools and software.

Celebrate your progress! Keep a portfolio of your work to see how far you've come. Even mastering a new shortcut in your software is a win – acknowledge it!

Every step you take is a victory! Keep a record of your design adventures, from the first wobbly line to the masterpiece you create. A journal, blog, or online portfolio can be your trusty sidekick on this creative expedition. Celebrate your wins, learn from your challenges, and set your sights on even greater heights. Your design journey is a story waiting to be told. Let the world see your talent and potential!

Maintain a portfolio or a design journal to document your work and track your progress over time. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, to stay motivated and encouraged. Set goals and milestones for yourself to continue growing and learning new skills.

I would definitely keep a learning or achievement journal to show what I've done. It's really important to keep a portfolio to show future clients. If you use Canva to create you can easily section your content into folders which should help when it comes to looking at your achievements.

-Use journals, blogs, or portfolios to document your brand design learning journey. -Record new skills mastered, techniques applied, and creative milestones achieved. -Capture screenshots showcasing before-and-after displays of advanced tool proficiencies. -Write reflective notes on lessons learned, obstacles overcome, and future goals. -Share works-in-progress on social media to solicit feedback and engagement. -Celebrate completed projects that display growth in tool capability over time. -Compare early work to current output to tangibly measure creative development. -Identify patterns and trends in personal successes, failures and focus areas. -Build a curated portfolio highlighting your expanding repertoire through tool experiments.

1. Focus on Design Principles: Before diving headfirst into fancy effects, brush up on design fundamentals like color theory, typography, and composition. These are the building blocks of strong brand design. 2. Stay Inspired: Follow design blogs and social media accounts to see what other creatives are up to. This will keep your ideas fresh and spark your imagination. 3. Join the Design Fam: There are online forums and communities specifically for designers. Interact with like-minded people, ask questions, and share your journey.

To learn new skills and techniques for using brand design tools and software, I recommend a multifaceted approach. Start by exploring online tutorials, courses, and resources specific to the software you want to learn. Practice regularly and experiment with different features to gain hands-on experience. Additionally, join design communities, attend workshops, and participate in webinars to learn from industry experts and peers. Networking with other designers can provide valuable insights and support. Lastly, don't hesitate to explore trial and error, as experimentation often leads to creative breakthroughs and mastery.

Youtube is your best friend. So is the resources blog of whatever design tool you decide to use; Figma, Adobe, Linearity Curve, etc. Get started imitating real life projects you admire and then move on to creating your own fake projects.

Tapping into free resources is a great first step to learning new skills and techniques for using brand design tools and software. If you're working with a limited budget, watching YouTube tutorials, accessing free resources through various design communities, such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts, and networking with other designers are actionable steps to get started on your journey. Whichever route you decide to go, staying consistent is paramount to gaining and retaining new skill sets. Blocking off time on your calendar every week dedicated to learning and experimenting will help keep you focused and disciplined.

The design industry constantly evolves, and the ability to adapt is crucial. I was slow to embrace Figma. I still haven't fully transitioned away from Adobe Creative Suite. It's important that designers embrace new tools to stay competitive. Mastery of the latest software can differentiate a designer from others who rely solely on older methods. Clients may expect their design team to utilize certain tools and methods. Being up-to-date reassures clients that they’re getting cutting-edge design solutions.