Design is  constantly evolving as it gets challenged by new trends; be it flat design, colors, or introduction of new icon types and layouts.

There is a designer in all of us;  whether you want to create a simple layout for a work related project such as reports or proposals or if you want to design your next presentation or flyer, you might feel overwhelmed by everything that is happening in the world of design.

That's why at Visme we want to dissect trends and design principles and provide them in simple, easy to digest tips.  Today we're sharing 8 basic rules for the beginner level designers.   Follow them and you'll find it easier to create your next piece of content.

Have Fun!

Design is a form of art. It's foundation is based on creativity, freedom and out of the box thinking.

So, even though it might get frustrating from time to time, remember to have fun, don't be to hard on yourself, specially as a beginner, don't worry about being wrong, just enjoy the process.

Designing under stress is never a good idea! In fact your attitude reflects on what you create.  Staying relaxed and having a little bit of fun will go a long way in improving what you create.

Never Stop Learning

Design is a dynamic process.  No one can say they know it all since it's constantly being refined with new tools and trends.  And it's not about the person next to you, but expressing yourself and what you create to communicate with your audience.

What you learn today, could be completely out of date in a month or two; so visit your favorite design blog once every few weeks, view other design profiles and portfolios for inspiration continue to practice and experiment.

Develop a Unique Style

Design is about expressing yourself.  It's great to learn from leading designers and artists, but don't be afraid to express yourself.

Over time you will find your inner calling and begin to develop your own unique style.   Maybe you like using certain shapes, or there's a font family you think works better with your style.  All of these elements will help you develop a signature, and that signature will be your own.

Have a Good Portfolio

Build a good portfolio.  You can do it on-line on tools like Behance for example or use Visme to create interactive Presentations, Infographics and Slideshows. You don't have to include everything you do, but it's recommended you select your best work and present variety of what your capable of so you can share them with possible clients easily.

Choose a Specialized Area

Graphic design is not just for professionals.  It is a career, but for the rest of us who create content, it can play a vital role in how we communicate with others.    When was the last time you created a Presentation or business Report? A resume?

You may not notice it, but at every turn you are utilizing some degree of design to the content you create.

And for those of us who want to dig deeper into the realm of graphic design, it's best to concentrate on a specific niche;  Perhaps it's illustrations, or creating website layouts, or perhaps design for print.

Innovate

Think outside the Box.  Don't stick with just one idea.   When you are creating your design create a few iterations, each designed from a different angle.

Then take a step back and compare your designs.   Which better translates your message? (this may even include coming back and comparing them few hour or a day later as your perception changes with time).

Join Design Communities

There are hundreds of Facebook and LinkedIn groups dedicated to anything designs.   Share your work there and ask for feedback.

Be ready for criticism, it's the driving force behind improving the quality of your work;  At the same time know that not everyone is going to like everything you do.

Manage your Time

If you are seriously looking to become a professional designer learn time management.  Most designers work as freelancers for one or more clients, so you need to manage your own time.   All good designers are perfectionists;  but professional designers are also great at knowing when to step back and achieve a balance between the time they spend creating the work and refining it.

Even if you're looking to use design as part of your overall communication process, you still need to have a good balance between how much time you spend designing and how much time you dedicate to writing your actual content.

Tip: create a list every morning with your to-dos and set a start and end time for each project. This way, you can organize your day before even starting it, try to revisit the list every few hours to see how close you are to your daily goals.