Your Guide to Breaking into the Graphic Design Industry

Planning to start a career in graphic designing? Though a wonderful thought, know that it is not easy to get into the industry, survive and succeed. The world of graphic designing is highly competitive with all the professionals putting their creative endeavor to come up with something unique and highly marketable, apt for their clients’ needs.

Simply being creative would not make you a great designer, you should also have the required training and certification in the subject and know how to apply the knowledge and skills acquired through training in real workplace. Apart from getting a degree from one of the premier graphic design colleges in Singapore, you need to know how to present yourself before the employers and impress them to hire you in their firm.

How to Win the Recruiters?

Do you know what the companies looking for graphic designers wish to see in a candidate? Do have any idea about how to turn your portfolio stand out from the rest? Do you know how to act during an interview? Read on to get the answers.

Get Acquainted with the Basic Portfolio Rules:

The more interesting your portfolio, the higher is your chances to get a job. In order to make your portfolio interesting, you should have a clear knowledge about how your portfolio should be. Do not overload your portfolio with unnecessary details. Just highlight the brightest and important details and keep the portfolio short. Narration of the story behind each achievement would be appreciated if presented in a unique and interesting style.

Showcase Multi-Medium Work:

If you have the knowledge of working across varied mediums, do not hesitate to show it. If you only include in print work, those who are examining your portfolio will assume that it is the single thing you are capable of. Your need to show that you have the ability to work in various mediums, print, digital and many more. If the employers are convinced about your ability to work on multiple medium, you will stand higher chances of grabbing your dream job.

Keep Work Detailed and Appropriate:

While you touch upon all the amazing skills you possess in your portfolio, do not forget to highlight upon your area of expertise in graphic design. A descriptive account of the specialized skill would enable your employer to get an idea of the direction you would want your career to go in.

A Research Would Be Great Before an Interview:

An in-depth research on the company that has called for an interview would be wise. Before going for the interview, you should make sure that whoever would interview has a glimpse of your work and ability through your portfolio. Be confident during the interview and express yourself in the best possible way to show the employer that you are the right person to work with and you are passionate about the work.

A certification from one of the celebrated graphic design colleges in Singapore would enhance your chance of getting selected as a graphic designer in a good company

What to Expect as a Graphic Design Expert in Advertising Company

Marketing is the prime aim of all the advertising companies and they often use graphic design as a significant advertising tool. If you are planning to join an advertising agency as a graphic design expert in need to complete a graphic design diploma. Before appearing for the interview and joining an advertising company, you need to have a clear knowledge of what such a company expects from a graphic designer. This blog aims to give you an insight into the role that a graphic designing professional as to play in an advertising organization.

Graphic designers are expected to work to bring a wide array of communication alive. They create images with high visual impact to attract the attention of the targeted audience and convey the business mission clearly. Thus, it should always be the aim of the graphic artists to come up with impactful designs to create brand identity.

Expectations from a Graphic Designer

Here are the things that an advertising agency expects from a graphic artist:

·        A Thorough Understand of Client requirements and Business Goals::

Designing impactful and innovative advertisements for magazines, websites and newspapers is one of the prime responsibilities of a graphic design expert. The demand of one client is different from that of another. As a graphic design professional, you are expected to understand the specific requirements of the clients and design accordingly. The role demands a creative flair and a precise understand of the client’s business goal.

·        Relaying of the Business Message in a Creative Manner:

All businesses strive to convey their business vision and mission to their target audience and convince them to become potential customers. Whether you are designing for a magazine or newspaper, you should always try to acquire sound knowledge about the mission and vision of the company your design would represent. You should make good use of your innovative sense to come up with an exclusive design that would clearly convey the business message in a creative manner. 

   Perform Consumer Research:

An advertising company would like to perform consumer research thoroughly so that you get an idea about the consumers who would take interest in a specific product or service. Suppose, you have been given a product where you should work for toy manufacturer, you should have a clear idea about who would be interested in toys. In this case, you should come up with a design that would allure the parents and the kids. Again, you need to work for a female apparel seller, you should design images that would overwhelm the female garment enthusiasts. Thus, you should do an in-depth consumer research before designing.

A graphic design diploma from awell-known institution is a must to be creative and skilful in the domain of work. A diploma would certify your talent and skill to an employer. 

Character Game Design & Graphic Design in Singapore

The 10 Aspects of Good Design: Part 2 of 2

My last post talked about the aspects of good design, and mostly covered motion design. Today I wanted to speak about the remaining 5 aspects as well as cover other design disciplines. Character game design, a design discipline often taught in courses like animation, concept art, illustration and game design also takes much from the aspects on discussion here. There are however, aspects on discussion here that would only largely affect design disciplines such as product and interior design.

Minimalistic

A good design makes the most out of as little as possible. Now, I normally avoid using the term, “minimalistic” due to the commercialism of the concept in the past ten decades, but one cannot ignore the clean, simplistic nature of minimalism. Minimalism is the pinnacle of a play on space and form, allowing the essential aspects of the design to shine through, unburdened by any extra frills. It is important that the designer curbs his or her tendency to “over-design”, by adding in extra features for the sake of aesthetics, which might make the overall design look a little cluttered.

Thorough 

Being thorough down to the last detail, not leaving anything to chance and ridding oneself of the habit to put in arbitrary placeholders in one’s design is the mark of a great designer. Remember, it’s all in the details!

Useful

When talking about product design, it is obvious that these products are designed to be bought. Then what about character game design? Or Visual Communications for that matter? I once attended some short courses for graphic design in Singapore and asked my mentor how the aspect of usefulness embodied itself in a non-tangible design like graphic design? A useful design simply means the ability to satisfy function and aesthetics, but one that is able to affect its target markets psychological state. A good design emphasizes the usefulness of a product while leaving out anything else that could possibly detract from it

Unobtrusive 

Now this applies mostly for product design. Animation students and 3D modelers especially should take note that for product design, they are not meant to be decorative objects or art pieces. The design should therefore be both neutral and restrained, to leave room for a user’s self-expression, while at the same time not devoid of a brand identity.

Environmentally-friendly

Now, this one is again one for product designers, so character modelers do take note! The design of a product contributes to the preservation of one’s environment. Conserving resources and minimizing physical and visual pollution throughout the lifecycle of the product.

That’s all the design advice we have for this time, but please do check out the character game design, 3d modelling and graphic design courses in Singapore that we have! Until next time!

Studying in Singapore- A look into Diploma Courses in Animation

Despite being a state of scholars, Singapore has in truth, long been a nation of skill-based individuals. Singapura as it was once known, had its roots as a bustling port for trade. This continued to be a trend up until the time of its colonialism by the British.

However, after the British left and Singapore became independent in 1965, the nation’s manufacturing industry blossomed under the guidance of its leaders. Since then, Singapore has always levied on its skilled manpower in order to make up for its lack of resources. The rapid development of media and technology has not escaped the country’s leaders, and the past two decades have seen the country develop its infrastructure accordingly.

In the past decade especially, the animation industry in Singapore has made extraordinary breakthroughs, in terms of influence, presence in the international industry, infrastructure and government support. Singapore is now the envy of its region having been involved in blockbuster hits such as Godzilla, Pacific Rim, Clone Wars: The Animated Series and more.

Education for Animation, has evolved accordingly with the industry, and several government and private institutions have shown their presence in recent years by producing alumni that have graced these very blockbuster productions that have put Singapore on the map in terms of Animation.

One such institution is MAGES Institute of Excellence. With a strong focus on game design, as well as animation courses, their modules range from the basics such as Character Game Design, to more complicated programming and art modules.Learn diploma courses in animation & give shape to your imagination.Create  your own animation video.Check this funny animation video......

Its Diploma courses in Animation even has a progression into an Advanced Diploma programme that allows you to choose one of three specialities involving, Visual Effects, 3D Character Modelling where you will upgrade your character design skills, as well as Character Animation.

Such specialized schools who are closely tied to the industry and its practitioners, place a high emphasis on ensuring that its students and its curriculum meet the dynamic needs of the industry. As a bonus, the school not only offers long courses, but professional short courses for practicing professionals to add-on or to refresh themselves in their respective field.

If you have ever considered picking up a tertiary course in animation, or wish to improve on existing skills such as character design for games and film, take a look-see at institutions and colleges in Singapore before you consider pricier options in traditional animation powerhouses such as in the United States.

Students flock to Singapore for Illustration Courses

Pursuing Illustration Courses in Singapore
 

Students have never had it so good. In this day and age where creativity, innovation and accessibility  has been given a boost due to the advancement of technology—students are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing the best education. With its modern facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Singapore has seen a constant influx of international students in recent years as it stakes its claim to be the region’s premiere educational hub.

The Creative Technologies faculty in particular has seen demand rise in recent years, with many businesses moving away from the use of traditional media to propagate their products and services. A quick peek online for example, will bring out the names of many reputed institutions offering the best illustrations courses in Singapore. These courses are designed to arm students and prepare them for the industry in the most efficient way possible.

With illustration courses ranging from Basic Illustration to the more advanced illustration courses and other related courses such as the 3D digital sculpting courses, character game design, as well as courses for graphic design in Singapore.

Why study Illustration?

So why take up illustration courses? After all, is it not simply the refinement of one’s god given talent to draw? Does one really require a certificate to prove that one can illustrate?

Well, the answer is yes and no.

While it is true that one’s creativity and proficiency in illustration can be (and should be) refined through constant practice on one’s own time, institutes do more than just provide aspiring illustrators with paper qualifications. The first and strongest argument one could make, is that institutions can provide aspiring illustrators with a handle on industry practices and standards. An illustrator after all, is often involved right from conceptualization, to pre-production, production as well as post-production. As such it is imperative that prospective students look for an institution with established connections to the industry, and are able to provide them with internships or job placements. 

Of course, there are other arguments that make first-class institutions in Singapore attractive for aspiring illustrators. The schools would also be responsible in certifying quality candidates; those who have mastered the art of illustration and attained a level of proficiency in the tools widely used by industry professionals. 

Make a mark, and take your first big step into world of film, animation, visual effects, gaming or even the media at large. Check the details out today, and join one of the best Illustration courses in Singapore.

What’s in it for me?

A creative mind is a beautiful thing – but it needs the right tools, and the know-how to use these tools, to help turn an abstract idea into something tangible. Here’s a brief outline on some of the illustration courses on offer in Singapore

Basic Illustration

• Introduction to Illustration

• Basic Perspective, Light and Shadow and the 5 Value System

• Human and Creature Structure

• Basic Human Anatomy, Facial Features and Rendering

• Story and Concept Development Stage

• Development of an Illustration – 1 Simple Character

• Illustration 2 – Book Cover Image

• Final Illustration – Complex Scene

    Advanced Illustration

• Thumbnail Creation

• Rough Selection

• Rough finalization

• Value Compositions

• Colour Selections

• Final Rendering

  Digital Painting Courses in Singapore

• Introduction to the tools on Photoshop; Basic creation of characters through silhouette and thumbnails

• Proportion of human figures and creature structures

• Colour toning and application on characters; Basic lighting effects

• Introduction to environment and character animation

• Application materials and paint to models

• Sculpture techniques