Not all designers want to stand out from the crowd but there is a small amount of designers who have no choice when it comes to standing out and having that unexplainable X factor about themselves and their work. Being a great designer seems to come so naturally to some people, but does it really…
I believe a dedicated and smart enough designer can create the X factor in themselves and their work. So let’s take a look at some of the things a designer can do to create the X factor in themselves and more importantly…their work.
Submit your work to galleries
There are loads of galleries online but they will not always come to you when it comes to featuring any of your work in them. Gallery owners are always looking for really creative and unique designs to feature in their galleries, but with there being hundreds if not thousands of designers already pumping out work on a weekly basis, this gives gallery owners a lot to be looking through and to choose from. With this in mind it makes your decision of taking the time out to submit your work to galleries even more important and worthwhile. Remember that not all submitted designs will be accepted and published in to these online galleries, so to have yours featured in any one of these galleries gives you an even greater competitive edge as a designer, and one step closer to creating the X factor.
Do online and offline interviews
Magazine and blog publishers are always looking for good content which can include interviewing designers. This can work really well for you in many ways… your name will become famous and start to be passed around, during most interviews your own design work will be showcased which will result in more people viewing your work…if people like your skill and your style they are more likely to get in touch to possibly hire you. Plus if you manage to get yourself an interview with a well known publisher this can work even better for you, as you will be able to place a “Featured In…” badge on your own website. This element of creating the X factor all boils down to excellent PR, knowing who to contact, how to approach them, and how to make the most out of your interview.
Writing Your Own Book
There is a great misunderstanding as to why designers would publish their own book, it is not always to sell and make loads of money. OK so it would be great if it became a best seller but even if it doesn’t, you will still have your own book published on the bookshelves of many high street stores for others to buy and read. This automatically gives you a great deal of credibility and rightfully so because it isn’t an easy task to write and actually publish a book. Knowing what to write is also an important factor, if you want to be seen as an expert in your field then you need to come across as one. You could write about your own work and journey as a designer, offering firsthand experience and advice; you might include resources, tutorials, etc.
Creating Your Own Design Blog
Just like writing and publishing your own book, creating and becoming the editor of a popular design blog can work just as well for you. Since creating Kaplang I have been astonished at the amount of people who enquire through my blog about my own services as a designer. I think this is because you are not only showing a nice looking website or blog, you are actually showing how to make an online presence actually work, and if you can do it for yourself then surely you can do it for your client.
Being One of the Trendsetters
Designers often follow other designer’s ideas and styles like little following sheep, but a designer who has the X factor is always the leader. It can take a lot of time and effort to create something completely unique, it also takes a lot of courage because even during the early stages of your work, you know that your new concept will either be loved and followed or simply hated.
What do you think gives a designer the X factor, please let us know below.
About The Author:
 Michelle Kirkbride | Michelle Kirkbride has many years of experience as a web developer & consultant, she currently lives in Yorkshire, UK with her two beautiful children and loving partner. She spends far too much time at her computer and is currently addicted to her work. |
Very good points!
I would agree with all of them. When it comes to creating something unique I would add only that you need to look and see how others do things first and see what works the best. Once you have enough experience, you can start becoming the X Factor designer and create something absolutely unique.
If you can create something unique without to much practice and ppl like it, it means you have a gift!
However, I do believe it’s more about experience then gift. You can learn how to be good and Master the design fields!
Once again! Great post Michelle! Useful tips!
The Internet has become as common to most people as television or or phones. I think you are right on about have a site to display what you do. Learning to leverage your blog along with other social media will get attention – who opens a phone book anymore?