Enhancing your future with top-notch design skills is essential for advancing your design career and increasing your earning potential. As a designer, mastering a variety of design skills is necessary to stay competitive and succeed in the industry.
Here are five essential design skills to help you stay ahead of the competition:
Key Takeaways:
- UX copywriting skills
- Coding skills
- Environmental graphic design skills
- Graphic design mastery
- Obtaining certifications
Master the Art of UX Copywriting
Looking to enhance your design skills and increase your earning potential? A key skill to focus on is UX copywriting skills—creating and incorporating copy during the design process to improve product development and minimize revisions.
UX writing is a highly in-demand specialty, with in-house UX writers earning an average salary of $126,000. Freelancers can also earn high project rates due to the growing importance of UX copywriting in today’s market.
Transitioning to UX writing is easier for those with experience in product design, UX design, or content creation. To excel in UX copywriting, it is important to pay attention to microcopy and practice creating text for different design elements.
Don’t miss out on the opportunities that mastering the art of UX copywriting can bring to your design career.
Unlock Your Potential with Coding Skills
Another valuable skill to invest in is coding skills—knowing how to code in languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Being proficient in coding can bring your designs to life by creating interactive designs, moving prototypes, and animations. It also opens up opportunities for additional income as a freelancer or project-based work.
Resources for learning coding skills are widely available online. Websites like Codecademy and W3Schools offer comprehensive tutorials on HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. These skills are not only valuable in the design industry but can also be useful in other career fields.
If you want to take your skills to the next level, obtaining web design certifications can boost your career prospects. Certifications like Adobe Certified Expert, W3 HTML5 Developer Certificate, ZEND Certified PHP Engineer, Microsoft Developer Certifications (MTA & MCSD), and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Developer can validate your proficiency and attract potential employers.
By mastering coding skills and obtaining relevant certifications, you can broaden your career opportunities and increase your earning potential. Investing in this valuable asset is a smart move that can have long-term benefits for your future in the design industry.
Embrace the Field of Environmental Graphic Design
An in-demand skill to focus on is environmental graphic design skills—creating visual communication in physical spaces through disciplines like wayfinding, placemaking, exhibition design, and interior and industrial design. EGD designers effectively communicate identity and information in physical spaces, creating delightful experiences that connect people to place.
| Specializations in EGD Design | Description |
|---|---|
| Signage and architectural graphics | Designing signage and graphic elements for buildings, public spaces, and transportation systems. |
| Identity graphics | Developing visual identity systems for companies, institutions, and public spaces. |
| Mapping | Creating maps for public spaces, transportation systems, and events. |
| Wall and glass graphics | Designing graphics for walls, windows, and other surfaces to enhance the aesthetics of a space. |
| Spatial branding | Developing visual and sensory experiences that reinforce a brand’s identity in a physical space. |
EGD designers are in high demand and can command high pay. To excel in this field, you can gain experience through projects and expand your skillset through additional training and certifications. Transitioning to EGD design can be a new creative challenge for graphic designers and offer opportunities for on-site client work. By embracing this field, you can stay ahead of the curve and unlock your potential in the design industry.
Stay Ahead of the Design Curve
To stay ahead in the design industry, it is crucial to stay updated with the latest industry trends, projects, and inspiration through graphic design blogs, social media, and graphic designers. Keeping up with industry trends will help you anticipate changes and remain competitive.
Find Inspiration Everywhere
Find inspiration and stay motivated by subscribing to design blogs, following graphic designers on social media, and reading graphic design books. Explore design theory and master design tools to improve your skills every day.
Invest in Professional Development
Continuous learning is essential. Consider finding a graphic design mentor, taking design courses, and practicing design briefs. Additionally, stay updated with design software and learn new software for advanced skills. Obtaining certifications such as Adobe Certified Expert, W3 HTML5 Developer Certificate, or Zend Certified PHP Engineer can help you stand out in the industry and advance your career.
Explore In-demand Design Skills
Besides mastering your design skills, it’s crucial to explore in-demand design skills, such as UX copywriting. UX copywriting involves creating copy during the design process to improve product development and user experience. Coding skills are also valuable, as they allow designers to create interactive and moving prototypes. Additionally, environmental graphic design is a skill that will remain in demand, as it focuses on creating physical experiences that connect people to place.
By investing in in-demand design skills, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and continuously seeking personal improvements, you can stay ahead of the design curve and stand out in the industry.
