Designers Talk: How to Be Unique in 2019? - kingstonobleas

I recently stumbled on a Reddit topic. A designer was querulous that several companionship stole his melodic theme for the logo. Pretty coarse.

One of the commenters, however, caught my concern.

"Being unique is an effort. I new got a gig – a cardio center was rebranding and asked if I could come finished with a new logo for them. I was brainstorming ideas for two hours. And so I went and googled "cardio logo". All my ideas were already in that respect…"

Organism unique is an effort? Certainly. What kind of effort, though? Is it about the alone inspiration we find oneself somewhere or is information technology the unique way we look at this inspiration?

It's getting harder to find unequaled breathing in. We have Pinterest boards, Google Images, and Dribbble featurettes, simply they all pretty much show the same things. No wonder our wreak can equal ruined in the ocean of similarity.

And what about the way we look into at these things? There are trends that affect us–we know what works "these days" and what non much. It drastically hinders our power to produce alone solve.

And eventually, some designers negociate to do that. Among thousands of others, their work stands out. All the piece their images make it to the top of the rating boards and gain plenty of attention.

I interviewed several of these designers whose shots I found on the front page of Dribbble and asked them a simple question:

How do you stay unique with your designs, when so many people are affected by the same visual trends, repetitive imagery connected Pinterest & stocks, or just copy each other?

Here's what they told me.

Jonathan Schubert, Designer & Illustrator

Jonathan: "Some of the base typefaces in utilisation, the likes of Devinne, are authentic to the period – 19th-century apothecary labels, medicinal ads, alcohol, etc. The main type, however, was wholly custom and achieved by a great deal of messing around until something rundle to what I was by and large picturing. I wanted the logotype to match the earthy aesthetic of the plant illustrations to seed (no intemperate edges). The logo(s) needed to feel rugged as well – the wilderness of northeast US / Canada, in general, being a bit of a backdrop to the firebrand I was imagining. I kept envisioning the brand coming from Montreal, ca 1900 – so the slight extravagance and character of the main logotype has a Daniel Chester French litho post horse feel to it, in my opinion. Adversely, the humble missive forms and innate edges give information technology a frontier public utility that, to me, spoke to the masculinity and ruggedness of the brand." Dribbble

Whatever prison term I'm opening a new project there is ever a remainder between pickings inspiration from what's presently being explored in the purpose / artwork / branding world and, in response to that, finding my possess relevant contribution, amendment, or yet comprehensive rejection of it in order to arrive at something completely my own. It's a continuous reconciliation act between what I personally love to explore and conceive is interesting, fresh, operating theatre good-connected at the time (aka comfort zones), and the ask to try out out that necessary discomfort which always pushes me into new territorial dominion.

Information technology's a constant balancing number between what I personally love to explore and think is interesting, and the want to look for out that necessary soreness which always pushes Maine into new territory.

In true terms, the above formula means looking at other work I'm divine by – and complete the clock time. IT's part of what you have to do these years in order to keep up up with what's releas on in the design and branding planetary. This inspiration will serve as a bench mark of either what to do – or – what non to do. In the case of the latter, IT's usually a project that has a well-traveled aesthetic or vibe which has go all as well acquainted to us. In the case of the other, it's about savvy where others have contributed in a wonderful way to what I consider the best of (fill in the blank): this potty be typography, concept, overall branding, etc. and simply taking note of that.

Inspiration will serve arsenic a benchmark of either what to do – or – what not to do e.g. a projection that has a well-traveled artistic or vibe which has turn completely too familiar to United States of America.

I find it's as wel exceedingly grave to moil deep into additional material, references, and explore to inspire each project. It's just about immersing myself into the world of whatever brand I may be developing – determination the subtle nuance narratives which inform whatever brand and building entire worlds about them. The more I know about the world my inspiration is derived from, the more original and inspired my solutions will be. Essentially, this is the difference between *solitary* look other design work for inspiration and putting that away to find inspiration elsewhere. Again, a balancing act. Personally, I find the Sunday-go-to-meeting stirring comes from this latter category because information technology's always the most trusty, raw, and adventurous in terms of where it may head.

Information technology's about immersing myself into the world of whatever blade I Crataegus laevigata be developing. The Sir Thomas More I know about the human beings my inspiration is derived from, the more original and inspired my solutions will be.

Lastly, it's important for me to love the process, the grind. For instance – I love exploring the apposition of typefaces and how they roleplay off all opposite to tell apar a story at a glance.

Jonathan: "This project found its inspiration in a classic apothecary aesthetic. The name, unequalled, communicates this message. The client requested more or less strong composition and a strong monogram for the "A". I looked for dolabrate apothecary / pharmacy labels and printed materials as I knew they would have a prim service program I could draw stirring from. The "A" monogram actually came last because I had to sketch IT unsuccessful so many multiplication to beget the graphic balance and gestalt correct." Dribbble

For me, information technology's a cosmos of possibility – the same as unrivaled might feel for when look a Pantone book. At the end of the Clarence Day, it's non about the way I feel when a project is absorbed and the brand suite is organized and pretty. It's roughly that one moment I get on every project; when I've cranked on it for 3 hours or 3 days and something clicks and I've officially moved from a blurry visual modality in my unconscious to exactly where I hot things to end heavenward right along. It's the "overflowing" of the process.

Information technology's important for me to love the grind. It's about that one moment when I've cranked on [the visualise] for 3 hours or 3 days and something clicks and I've officially affected from a blurry vision in my subconscious to exactly where I wanted things to finish up.

The more agitated I am about what it is I'm exploratory for the more underivative the end results will always be.

Anna Hurley, Illustrator

Technically, I've learned very much through imitation. And information technology's easy to just stop there. But my illustrations are made up of who I am and how I go through the world, and I tend to be heavily influenced by the many different, wonderful things I'm able to consume, ilk films, books, artistic creation, video games, graphic novels, medicine–the list goes on and on.

Anna: "I think the prompting was just to draw a abominable snowman flying a plane.The type was already established so I actually liked the idea of putting him in an old toy cartoony plane with a little scarf fast bent betoken movement." Dribbble

I try to take as much of that as I throne and interpret them through my work. It's not even a completely aware action. I know this is sort of a vague answer, but I just essay to make my work something that I enjoy, am pleased, and feels ilk me.

My illustrations are made up of who I am and how I see the world, and I tend to be heavily influenced by the many different, wonderful things I'm able to consume, like films, books, art, video games, graphic novels, music, the list goes on and happening.

I don't consciously try to make something unique. Since and then many things induce been done and there are so umpteen similarities unbeknownst to me, in that location's no way I can actually name something unique. All I can do is try to be true to myself and Bob Hope that uniqueness comes call at my play.

Anna: "I was just really missing to relax and read and so I drew that. And I liked the musical theme of playacting around with celestial horizon lines and high-top contrast colors, it was just a amusing study." Dribbble

I don't consciously try to make something unique. Since so many another things have been done and there are thus many similarities unbeknown to me, […] Wholly I can come is try to be real to myself and hope that uniqueness comes out in my make.

Manuel Cetina, illustrator

Manuel: "I made this illustration for a poster of a Hardcore and Noise tour bands. And the "keyboard poke" looks cool for the poster tour. A champion told Pine Tree State about the band in a vinyl party." Dribbble

The net is an awful puppet and the selective information can be impressive, but I love to buy overage books and comics for inspiration. I love studying the design and the techniques, the compositions of old comics, the ink in the graphics, the halftones used in shadows, and the color key, especially in those with hardly a colors.

Manuel: "In that location's no more a hidden content in the example. I made a Banana tree because it was the anniversary of a Sticker Party "Sticker x Sticker". I call up it was funny to use a banana tree and non a cake – IT is the same feeling when you Sir Robert Peel a banana and you "flake" a sticker you know when you take the back plastic." Dribbble

I think the old school and analog forms is secure inspiration tool for the digital era.

I love to buy old books and comics for inspiration. I love studying the intent and the technique, the compositions to old comics, the ink in the graphics the halftones exploited in shadows…

Jack Kirby, "2001 A Space Odyssey".

I love the work of Daniel John Birks Gillespie Clowes in "Obsess World", Bernie Wrightson, Moebius,
Gustave Dore in "The divine comedy" and Jack-tar Kirby in "2001 A Space Odyssey Comic".

Martha Bergmann, Production Designer

Martha: "This animation is a example of creating a variation of something and interpreting information technology with a new twist. I was elysian by this Dribbble post by Hoang Nguyen , and mentation how cool would it be to recreate this changeover in Studio apartment then be able to interact with it!" Dribbble

I wouldn't enjoin that I'm always 100% unique with my designs, just that's just part of being a designer. Every day we're absorbing new experiences, as a user when using our digital devices, and and so as an observer when hopping into design communities online that share digital explorations. By nature, we're going to include pieces and parts of what we absorb into our possess designs, which agency trends will likely fall into them.

Call for multiple trends and tack them on their head, or view them from a new Angle. That's how to halt more unique as a couturier.

There's something to be aforesaid for staying on sheer with your designs, as you want your interface to feel fresh and relatable with its users. But the absolute key here, which is what us designers should do to challenge ourselves, is to not fret about creating something that's 100% stylish, or 100% unusual, just alternatively maybe 50% unparalleled.

Ace elbow room to stool unique designs is to combine elements and parts from multiple other designs. What you create from those ideas is a variation of how you uniquely envision the pieces and parts of the designs on the job together. We can learn so much from apiece other As designers. It can be about interpreting new designs with our own viewpoint OR style

I look for inspiration from physical product contrive and promotion design. My mom's a watercolor artist thusly I also find myself glorious by fine fine art examples. Sometimes, it's arsenic simple as being drawn to the coloration palette and trying to incorporate that into a design.

We should gather inspiration from multiple sources or even different mediums, such as computer architecture, and fuse them into a new exploration. I use architecture as an example since it's quite different from extremity project.

Martha: "Extraordinary of my coworkers at InVision, Daniel Noskin, shared how he created a "gooey" shape in InVision Studio. Pablo Stanley tweeted about his variation on it here. I ready-made a refresh animation with the same principle, and then expanded information technology further and did this animation above, which explores how a Pleasing can be roguish." Dribbble

I look for inspiration from physical ware design, and publicity design. My mom's a watercolor artist so I also find myself divine past fine art examples. Sometimes it's as simple as being drawn to the coloration palette and trying to incorporate that into a design.

There are all sorts of different mediums when you start to observe what you have some you.

Take multiple trends and flip them on their heads, or view them from a new angle. That's how to stay more alone as a designer.

Brett Stenson, Art Manager &A; Illustrator

Brett: "This Panthera tigris was based on my make out for connecting angles across a composition and channeling the unwavering aesthetics of a Natalie Wood-carved figure. She's chasing a butterfly to show that it's a young tiger rookie, inquiring about her new world." Dribbble

I would start off aside locution uniqueness is sort of based on each soul's view of design and their reasoning for making art in cosmopolitan. My work is influenced mostly by the medicine, surroundings, and person-to-person worldview I experience. Very much of what inspires Pine Tree State feels like-minded a cave dweller drew it, or music from deep in the jungle… places I commode feel like I just traveled to in my listen. Sure, design can be ultra voguish and citizenry run to begin inspired away one some other – but I unabashedly did that for a long time too! I used to draw like ED Roth for a while, but I didn't enjoy it anymore, so I changed my focus.

My work is influenced mostly by the music, environs, and personal worldview I know. A great deal of what inspires me feels like a troglodyte drew it, or euphony from oceanic abyss in the jungle… places I can feel ilk I just heavily traveled to in my mind.

A lot of people are inspired by the Land Boys right now (shit I am overly, those guys are amazingly creative and great at informative a story with most of the pages ripped extinct), merely I personally think that's ok. Soul will get glorious by them and build off of it and make something completely different with what they learned. Not to mention, many clients see that stuff and ask designers to do a certain style, which can be annoying. But sometimes that's a part of our job.

Many clients see [some] stuff and ask designers to do a certain style, which can be annoying. Merely sometimes that's a part of our lin.

Along with all that, I clean hear to listen to myself and what I want to say. My goal is to make work that's vibrant, fun, primitive, and iconic, but by and large, I need to enjoy information technology when I make it. My inspiration comes from a lot of other amazing designers and artists of the present and long past, and I guess I'm non ashamed of that. I look at stuff people make and try to appreciate their process or their attack to the composition, colors, some!

Brett: "This example is an homage to The Body, a band known for its haunting thematics of bareness, closing off, and jarring deformation. In the drawing, on that point is a plague doctor galloping upon a dead horse, which felt suchlike the right symbolism for an album that sounds like-minded a village in the Middle Ages burning to the background." Dribbble

From there, just put up and strain to put under information technology through my own lens. Inspiration and homage are bonny things when on that point are good intentions.

My inspiration comes from a lot of other amazing designers and artists of the present and long past, and I dead reckoning I'm not repentant of that. […] Inspiration and homage are beautiful things when there are good intentions.

Afterword

It seems like everyone puts in a unique effort to be, well… unique. It has to set with both the reservoir of inspiration and the way designers usance it.

Person may be inspired away old books and comics, and someone aside social group medicine and software program designs. Nonetheless, information technology's something that people really like that yet finds its way into their exercise and resonates with it.

As for the way designers use of goods and services aspiration, that's different as well. Some of them are directly glorious by the work of their fellow artists, while others transfer the perception into their work indirectly, trying to convey a reliable feeling rather than a way.

It's getting increasingly complex to stay unique these years. And ane cannot stay that right smart for lank, because helium or she will always inspire a cohort of followers. Even so, there's one matter in common 'tween all the designers I interviewed. I noticed that they whol allow a bit of themselves in their work.

Regardless the competition, cardinal can always stay put true to themselves and their worldview, even using all the latest trends and tools. Hopefully, other people wish feel for that.

About the author: Andrew started at Icons8 as a usability specialist, conducting interviews and serviceableness surveys. Atomic number 2 urgently wanted to plowshare his findings with our professional community and started writing insightful and funny (sometimes both) stories for our blog.

Title image: Ouch! Icons8 illustration project

Check the William Christopher Handy lists of self-governing graphic design software, read about high trends on graphic design and UI design, and review the basics of creating transmitter illustrations.

Source: https://blog.icons8.com/articles/designers-how-to-be-unique/

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