Your Guide to Shifting to Web Design after a Career in Print

If you are a print designer yet want to try your hands on web designing, you can do this without much hassle with the help of just a few guidelines. Design in print and web designing have much in common though theoretically. In reality web designing has technicalities that design in print does not have and print design has its own limitations. 

Both fields require specific skills and knowledge, a proper understanding of which can help you switch to either of the both efficiently. Top designing schools such as the design college in Singapore offers you designing courses that can help you build a strong career in designing.

How is Web Designing different from Print Designing: The Basics that You Need to Keep in Mind

• Basic knowledge of HTML can help you in web-designing. Digital designing is all about HTML, where the basics of any design, for example size, color or fonts can be changed using this media. However, one has to be also familiar with SEO an important aspect of web-designing.
• Digital designing is much more lively and vibrant then print design which is created on a flat medium-paper or cloth. Web designing is more audio-visual, related to sounds, movements or links.
• Print designers use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) process to combine colours and create the desired design. Web designers use RGB (basic Red, Green and Blue) which is created by combining colours as seen under the light. They also do it using HEX which is extended RGB.
• Print designers have vast choice in using font size. Designers on web have to keep in mind the browser or device type while designing.
  

Size alters in web-design

In Print design, a particular document to be designed and printed is made on a certain size depending on the requirement, that doesn’t alter later. A design for a particular webpage can vary according to the device or the browser you are using. So each size differs from the other. The best solution is to get a grip on Responsive Design where you could create sites that provide the same view for different devices-be it a tablet or be it your desktop.

How to make yourself marketable in both print as well as web designing areas?

If you have a penchant for designing and want to pursue it as a career, then skill in both print and web designing will be an added advantage. Your capability to work with both mediums can give you the extra mileage as a designer as per the current demand of the market. Even if you have done a course in print designing and have started your career as a print designer it is never too late to learn the intricacies of web designing and switch between the two. A reputed design college in Singapore will help you with quality designing courses with in-depth knowledge in various mediums of designing.

Common Mistakes Game Developers Make on Unity

3d Game Development with Unity 3D is an increasingly preferred approach many game developers take today. This platform follows its own pattern of function and if you are not aware of how it operates a trivial feature too, can end up being a challenge. It has to be understood well so as to avoid mistakes especially the first-timers working on Unity make.

|

Common mistakes Game developers make on Unity include:

• Mixing up scripts -
  The scripts that you attach with the objects should be either written in java or C#. It should not be a mixture of both. It will help you to avoid confusion as well as save you from other issues that can crop because of mixing two languages. So choose a language you are comfortable with.
  
  
• Not Making use of the Asset Store Logically-
  Do not be in a mad rush to use the asset store to get sounds, scripts, models etc., downloaded. Make sure that the assets you want to buy are relevant for your gaming project. Beware of buying the popular ones because though you may be tempted these assets due to over usage have lost its exclusiveness making Unity games using the same visual style losing its unique visual appeal. Developers have misused the standard assets given by Unity.
  
  
• Not Knowing How to Set your Scale Right-
  As the measurement of an object is taken in meters therefore ensure while importing that the size can be compared to the object it represents. For example a building can be taken approximately as 20 meters or a spaceship can be considered as 200 meters. You might have to resize if you have not taken it likewise. Actually in Unity size does not play a major factor as much as the scale. Whatever the size is if the scale is set right then faults can be avoided like objects falling at a slow pace. You might get tempted to speed up the gravity to make it fall faster but it will only end up being unrealistic. From the very start you must try to set the scale right as changing the settings in the middle of a developed project might be a difficult task.
  
  
• Relying too Much on Reflection-
  Methods like the Get Component or Send Message is expensive and can retard your gaming speed. So it is better to switch on to an efficient alternative pattern.
  
  
• Not Using Rigid body Objects-
  A gaming object has a position, angular velocity, speed, etc. If an object is changed from its position by a script then lot of discrepancy can occur which in turn might make the game unpredictable. A rigidbody can be attached to the object to avoid collision and also to stop messing up of positions of gaming objects.
  
  Make your 3d Game Development with Unity 3d unique by creating it from newer objects.

Introduction to Unity 3D for a First Time Game Developer

Creating a game is a lot simpler than one can imagine. Especially if you choose to work with tools such as Unity 3D, you will have access to a professional level game engine that helps even first time developers easily organize the development process and deliver excellent results.

Unity 3D is extremely beginner friendly, allowing you to create some amazing games even with little coding experience. Here are a few things you need to know about 3D game development with Unity 3D.
 

Understanding Unity 3D and 3D Engine

Unity 3D is a cross-platform 3D engine that is designed to be extremely user friendly for beginners while also offering the much needed powerful tools for the professionals. Did you know? Temple Run, Bad Piggies, Lara Croft GO were all built using this platform!
 

A 3D engine is essentially a physics engine that takes into account the behaviour and laws of various game objects. In addition to this, it also helps in various other development processes such as rendering of graphics, physics such as gravity and momentum, lighting and other gameplay elements. Typically, on other engines, coders making even the basic most games are forced to work from scratch. You are expected to code everything right from the way a vase falls from a table to how it bounces and refracts the light during its journey down.
 

On Unity 3D on the other hand, all you need to do is make a model of a vase, define its mass, gravity and position on the table in the game world.
 

Things to Remember as a Novice Game Developer
 

As a first time developer you will find yourself getting overwhelmed with all the possibilities this engine holds with regards to development potential. However, if you plan on creating something that you truly wish to release, it is recommended that you be modest about your ambitions in your first go. Avoid aiming to create a 3D action blockbuster the first time around, which may force you to work on it for years, wasting hundreds of hours of your life only to find out somebody more experienced got there faster and did it better.
 

Start by making something simple and easy that will take no more than a few months to complete. Consider endless runners or games that come with procedurally generated elements. These could create less work for you. Games like Flappy Bird are classic examples of how simple apps can be made extremely successful, allowing you to gain some popular reviews and profit as against investing years on something you may never finish. 

Rectifying Common Physics Problem in Your Game Development

There are games that use physics engines to help things in the game move and react. The use of a physics engine can add immersion as well as emergent game play, but at the same time, if not used appropriately, can result in game-breaking issues. This blog discusses about the ways to determine and rectify the common physics problems in 3D game development with Unity 3D.

Common Mistakes and Ways to Fix Them

Following are the common physics mistakes often seen in game development. The ways used for fixing these issues have also been discussed:

• Inappropriate Scale:

In majority of the games, players assume that the scale of the world is related to Earth’s scale. Suppose, in a game, an enemy is falling from a height. The players would expect the foe to come down at the same rate as he would if he falls in reality on earth. If the speed of falling is too slow or fast, it may detract from the immersion, specifically if the one falling is human-sized. 

• Use a RigidBody As Well As a Character Controller:

The game developer assumes that a Character Controller is required for controlling their avatar. But the players want the avatar to be influenced by gravity and similar things in the environment. The issue is that a Character Controller is created for more traditional controls as seen in first person shooter. Gravity and certain physical forces affect a RigidBody. You need to select a Character Controller if you wish to have complete control over the way a player moves. Again, if you wish your character to be moved by a Physics engine, you need to use a RigidBody. In including a RigidBody to a character, you may wish to restrict rotation so that the player does not tumble. 

• Objects Rolling Constantly:

Suppose, you are developing a golf game. In this instance, you may find that the golf ball is not stopping and rolling constantly until it finds a hole. In reality, the glass blades on a golf course offers rolling resistance and slow down the ball. However, in Unity, you need to use artificial stopping forces to stop the ball. Using angular drag may be helpful in this case.

• Objects with No Bounciness:

All the objects bounce following an impact. However, the internal, default physics material of Unity does not have bounce. There will be no bounce until you apply physics material to the things showcased in your scene with a bounciness value more than 0. This problem can be rectified with the creation and assignment of your own default physics material in the Physics Manager.

Keep in mind the above mentioned suggestions during 3D game development with Unity 3D.

Creating Motion Graphic Projects on a Budget

When there is talk of motion graphics or videos in any media project, clients immediately begin to worry about escalating budgets. However, if you are able to channel some of your learnings from your student days when you pursued your motion graphic design diploma in Singapore you already know that there are a number of ways to create great animation and videos for your clients without having to burn a hole in their pockets.

 

Processing is an extensive part of creating a good motion graphics design and perhaps the costliest aspect of the project. Here are a few ways in which you can help your client save money and deliver great results on a shoestring.

·         Keeping it Simple

The simpler your motion graphics design, the faster and cheaper it will be to create, and more often than not, the better it will look. Leverage your creative sense to come up with great ideas on how to make the simplest of iterations as against doodling on your PC. Doodling often adds to the complexity of the project, and before you know it, you will have crossed your client’s budget.

·         Repurposing from your Library

As a motion graphics designer it is always beneficial to create a library of some of your best ideas, illustration techniques and designs. So when you are working on a budget or working against a strict deadline all you need to do is repurpose something you have already invested significant time on. There will hundreds if not thousands of amazing designs, concepts and treatments that may have been discarded by other clients but work extremely well for your current project. It is always good to save all your experiments and versions.

·         Rely on your Inspirations

While plagiarising is a strict no-no in the world of design or any other creative field, there is nothing wrong in going back to some of your top inspirations every once in a while. This means that you save time in experimenting with concepts, giving you a chance to start on a strong and already successful foundation. Most often you will find that your end project will be completely different from the one you were inspired from in the first place. However, you saved significant time and thus money for your client.

·         Mixing Media

You will find that some elements are easier to create in real life than on a PC. If you feel that it is going to be cheaper to simply photograph or film certain aspects of your motion graphic design projects, go for it. You will also be able to bring a touch of realism into your assignment enhancing its overall quality.

Before you make any big decisions regarding the project in question, make sure you work closely with your client to understand his or her capacity to spend, the extent to which they are willing to push their budgets and their quality expectations. It will be your job to find the right balance between quality and cost to deliver what your client truly likes.

Specialized Graphic Design Jobs You Should Consider

Technological advancements, the growth of digital media and how audiences consume information has significantly transformed the graphic design industry. With a number of specialized job opportunities emerging, there is a lot you can do once you have graduated from your graphic design institute in Singapore.

 

While choosing to be a jack of all trades continues to be a viable career option, some additional study can make you a specialized designer that tends to earn more money and experience more professional growth. Here are some of the specialized design jobs you may want to consider –

 

·         Creative Services Manager

With about 3 years of experience under your belt, you will be able to get to this position. Here, you are primarily in-charge of being the middle person between the senior management and the creative department for the brand or company you work with. You will essentially be in charge of overseeing the entire project, making sure deadlines are met and budgets are not overshot. You are the one responsible in making sure the senior management team get quality results from an efficient creative team.

 

·         Email Marketing Designer

In this position, you will be responsible to design and execute highly engaging email communications for the promotion of the brands you work with and their offerings. You will be working closely with other designers, writers, marketing managers and user interface experts to make sure that the brands marketing communication objectives are met with. In addition to understanding the principles of design, you will also need to have sufficient knowledge in UX/UI, HTML and CSS.

 

·         Flash Developer/Designer

As a Flash Developer, you will be creative interactive online content including games, advertisements, websites and other web based applications. You will also be in-charge of testing, implementing and maintaining dynamic website elements using tools such as Action script and Flash. As a Flash Developer you will need proficiency with JavaScript, CSS, HTML, XML and other web languages and software.

 

·         Information Architect

As an information architect, you will help clients define their website content and design strategy. You will need to analyse your target audience and assess their needs to improve the overall user experience on any website. You will be expected to make use of process maps, wire frames and mock-ups to define the intended user experience to the decision makers who could be your employers or clients.

 

·         Mobile Designers

As a mobile designer, you will be designing content and functionality for smartphones and tablets. By working closely with cross functional teams, you should be able to create effective, compelling and interactive experiences for mobile users. In addition to aesthetics, you will also have to account for the functional aspects of design. You will need to develop proficiency for various programming languages used across various mobile OS.

 

In addition to this, you can also consider developing the skill-sets required to being a presentation specialist. Designers with an interest in marketing strategy find this career option to be rather promising. Other great design jobs include UX and UI designers, who are responsible to create easy to use, captivating experiences for audiences. These jobs require in-depth understanding of graphic design among other things.

How to Get Over a Designer’s Block and Brainstorm Creative Ideas?

Creative block is not something uncommon. It affects even the best of the creative persons like writers, music composers and designers at some point of their life. Even Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his thirties had been affected by writer’s block. Do fret if you are going through a designer’s block. Inspire yourself and endeavour to wake up your creative spirit.

If you have done a graphic design diploma or any other corresponding course, you must have been taught how to explore creativity and come up with innovative designs. Try to recapitulate the instructions provided during the course and see if it helps you to come out of your creative block in any way. You may also try out the tips provided in this blog get over your problem and brainstorm new ideas.

Getting Over a Designer’s Block is Easy Now

An array of tips have been put together below to enable you brainstorm more effectively:

l  Try to Pick Up Ideas from the World Around You:

Often the graphic designers get stuck in the internet realm while they look for ideas. As a designer, you should also look around the real world to find inspiration that you could use in your design. The mind needs various stimulation. You should not hover around the same websites and expect to find innovative concepts. You can go to an art gallery or a sculpture centre or take a walk through the nature and talk to your creative colleagues to see if you can gather inspiration and ideas.

l  Take a Break:

Taking a break is important. During the break, you will be able to lend some rest to your mind and let the stress go out. A stress less mind is able to think clearly and create ideas. Thus, consider counterbalancing stress with a short break from work.

l  Visiting a Design Forum May Help:

You may benefit by interacting with other designers in a design forum. By visiting the forum, you will be able to share your issues and may get someone who has gone through the same creative block phase and overcame it. The first-hand story from such an artist may show you a path to get out of your problem.

l  Mind Map Can Be a Saviour:

Try to create a mind map and jot down your ideas in a paper. This will help you to develop the ‘snowball effect’ where a single idea will give birth to another and so forth, thus giving rise to a constant stream of innovative concepts.

Remember that only your knowledge acquired through graphic design diploma will not help you to come up with new designs. It is creativity and its proper application which will help you produce mind-boggling graphic design concepts.