Best Youtube channels to learn graphic design for beginners. Part 2.

Hi there! Thanks for stopping by!

My name is Ali, I'm a UX designer. Previously I worked as a graphic designer in print. Now, besides switching careers, I'm helping people like you to enter the graphic design field.

Most of the things I know about design I learned from Youtube. Over the years I watched countless tutorials and pack them into libraries to create my arsenal of knowledge.

Today I want to share with you the channels and tutorials that I consider to be the best fit for anyone who is looking to dig into graphic design.

Articles structure.

To keep things simple and organized, I divided this entire subject into 5 different parts. So you as a complete beginner to this field start with some basic knowledge and move on to more complex stuff along the way, without being assaulted with too much information at once. Here are the upcoming articles:

Part 1 - Graphic Design Basics

Part 2 - Branding and Marketing (you are here)

Part 3 - Learn Adobe Photoshop

Part 4 - Learn Adobe Illustrator

Part 5 - Learn Adobe Indesign

Let's go!

Like I said in my previous article, as a beginner, it's daunting to jump directly inside a program and start designing. But being a graphic designer doesn't only revolves around the programs (everyone can learn them, they are the easy part).

The true essence of a graphic designer stands in your ability to not only put together theory and the functionality of a program but to market yourself as well. (No, you don't need to start wearing a costume, jeans or PJs will do).

Why marketing and branding?

To make money, duh... But let's take it this way: Who are you? How do I find you on the web? What do you do?

We are approaching 2022 fast, the world is still fighting against Coronavirus. Even if the demand is high, there are strong chances that you'll not find a job as a junior graphic designer. Degree or not.

On the other side, you could very easily open an account on Fiverr or UpWork and start freelancing. To do that, will need a profile, and a portfolio. People need to know how you are, what you can do in order to decide if they want to work with you.

The best channel to learn about marketing and branding.

Yes, branding and portfolio are some big and scary words. But you need to adjust to that if you really want to succeed in this field. Freelancing is by far the fastest way to put your hands on real projects.

As for the playlist above, the guys from The Futur, are on YouTube since 2012 and they have over 1000 videos. They are by far the best option when it comes to learning about this side of design.

This playlist is vaster than the previous one, and the videos are longer, so just pick one that seems interesting and sacrifice a few minutes of your life.

Ali… this is boring, I want Photoshop!!!

Yeah… you need to wait another day or so for that article.

Grind your teeth! If you can’t bear some theory and have enough patience to see some people talking about freelance, how are you going to become a graphic designer?

Yeah, you could close this article, open a tutorial and start following it. Then follow a couple more, but after that, what are you going to do?

What are you picturing to be and where? Working in a print agency, creating logos or movies posters from your bed?

The reason why I started with the "boring stuff" (theory and branding) is to give you a full picture of what design really is. So you have a good understanding of what are you walking into.

Design isn't something that can be learned in 3, 6, or 12 months. It needs a constant investment of your time.

So before you start investing that time, learn a little about what are the possibilities and boundaries with this domain.

Why only 1 resource? You said “resources” above.

Because if you google “Graphic design for beginners”, you will find articles that recommend you over 20 resources at once, and this is very distracting (not to mention the time you lose checking every single one of them). As I continue my series, the “resource” will become “resources”, again, patience! (I know… I’m annoying, hi-hi!)

What should you do now?

As I said before, sit down, pick a video and bring some napkins (I mean, popcorn).

You are building a base about this domain, so when you’ll be inside Photoshop, you could picture yourself more solid.

Then, if you liked it, there is a little heart icon around that you could smash.

After that, it’s up to you if you want to continue or not.

If you’ll choose the first option, I will see you soon with the next part!

Bye!

Pss... I originally wrote this article on Medium: https://ali-stoica.medium.com/best-youtube-channels-to-learn-graphic-design-part-2-e524b1e1bfdb