Graphic design can feel scary. Whether you’re trying to create a complex, 3-dimensional detailed drawing or the most minimal abstract representation of something, it can be easy to lose yourself in the design process to the mountains of inspiration out there on the internet. But striking a balance between finding inspiration and staying confident in your own work and style isn’t impossible.
Lulah Balde, founder and designer of Lulita — a graphic design brand that sells effortless eco-friendly tote bags and illustrations guaranteed to brighten your day — has some key tips for dispelling your graphic design anxieties. And she’s been kind enough to share them with us today! So if you’re feeling intimidated, frustrated, or just downright confused about how to start the process of graphic design, read on. This post is for you!
1. When searching for inspiration, absorb it with a grain of salt
When you’re looking for inspiration, remember that designing is a process, and this is just the first step. You can see things you love and be inspired by them, but that doesn’t mean you need to feel pressured to make something exactly like that. What makes your art special is that it’s unique to you and your vision. Don’t lose sight of that.
Also, don’t limit your inspiration-gathering process to a Pinterest search! Lulah says that she’s found so much inspiration on some of the platforms she least expected to.
“TikTok is really resourceful and people don’t acknowledge that enough!” Lulah said. “Sometimes I just scroll for a little bit and then I have an idea of what I want. [I start] looking at people’s style and stuff like that, but not focusing on the critiques of it like ‘Oh, how did they do that with the brush or how did they do this?’ Just gazing at other people’s work.”
2. Find your perfect soundtrack
Lulah keeps the mood light with her favorite playlist on repeat in the background. Her music of choice to design to? Primarily older French music. Check out our playlist inspired by the soundtrack to Lulah’s creativity below!
3. Take breaks
Remember to have fun with the design process, and give yourself a break — mentally through being kind to yourself if it’s not turning out how you envisioned it, and literally just taking a physical break from designing! It’s okay to take your time.
“Take as many breaks as possible,” Lulah said. “That was really important to me, because artists burnouts and writer’s block? Those are very, very real, and [can be] so consuming to the point where you just feel so unmotivated.”
4. Trust the process
I know, I know, we say this a lot. But it’s true! Lulah’s growth in graphic design came from doing just this.
“When COVID hit, I feel like everybody was able to explore their passion during lockdown,” Lulah said. “So I downloaded Procreate like everyone else. I started out by doing little drawings, looking on Pinterest…There were some times where I was just staring at a blank paper for hours. But it was fun in the end, being able to see what you can make and just learning from yourself.”
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Looking for some inspiration as you start designing? Check out some of these Lulita designs and the stories behind them below.
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