THE TRUTH ABOUT GRAPHICS!

a lot of people who read and comment on this blog are graphic designers themselves, so i thought it would be useful to make a handy guide to making excellent graphics! this guide will contain tips no one dares to cough up, so that you can make graphics that don't look like bad oil paintings.

• DODGE THE BURN

"that dodge and burned graphic looks so good" said nobODY EVER. the sole rule of graphics: do not use dodge and burn, or you will burn in hell.

• POSTERISE IT

posterising your reference gives you a rough guideline for shading and highlighting. the crafty tool for suave designers (such as me)

• ALL SHADE

a rule i remember, shading opacity should always be higher than your shoesize, considering you don't have weirdly small or large feet. under shading looks a thousand times worse then over shading, although over shading also looks like crap.

• LESS IS MORE

minimal harsher layers look better than many soft layers, that's the way the GOOD stardoll graphics do it. but always remember range distance, if something is closer up, you need more layers. 

• NO WHITE HIGHLIGHT

don't use white to highlight skin, it gives a frosty or glossy effect, which is MUCH better suited for clothes. instead, fill the area with a colour a few shades lighter than the base.

• YA SNOOZE YA LOSE

don't be a lazy ass bitch, if you're not going to put 100% into a graphic; don't do it. a graphic is a piece of artwork and should be treated like a masterpiece. you should always deliver your best and never skip corners.

• POINTLESS IS NEVER POINTLESS

making small graphics in between bigger projects is a great way to boost your skills and practice things you're not good at. no graphic is ever "pointless", as every graphic you make is metaphorically taking the next step to becoming a master!

• YOU SUCK AT THAT

no designers are good at everything. we all have our weaknesses, so make sure you know what yours are and work work WORK on them. never give up on something you're not particularly good at, because with time and patience, you WILL improve.

• PSDISASTER

there's a myth that photoshop makes you a better designer. while photoshop does have more features and tools than other programmes, it will in no way make you a better designer.

• THINK ABOUT IT

always put a superior level of thought into your graphics. never settle for an "okay" reference, always find something that lights up something inside you. be sure that you are confident in the graphic and take your time in making it a beautiful piece of work. if you ever need help, there are plenty of tutorials  you can look at, and designers you can enquire within. don't be afraid to add your own personal twist and always persevere and try your absolute best!