𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲

In this article, we'll talk about finding your unique design style.

Your 'voice' when it comes to arranging elements on a canvas.

Why is this so important, you ask?

Well, it's imperative that, while absorbing completely beautiful compositions from world class designers, you don't end up imitating their style or any elements that make their designs unique to them.

As amateur designers, we are prone to doing this and while we try our hardest to be original, it sucks when we realize that we haven't been as original as we hoped. It doesn't even have to be our fault (unless you intentionally set out to copy which, in that case, shame on you).

This could be due to the stock photos we choose or the layout we think could be a good fit or even the font we see and love and want to use for a particular style (photo manips, illustrations, vector designs) because it just makes sense.

We need to learn and try to connect meeting design trends while also giving it our personal spice and flair.

For that, it requires digging into your individual approach to creating designs, from book covers to posters to music album art.

That is where we come to the crux of this article.

SWIPE FILES.

Most designers have something called a swipe file. This is essentially a visual collection of designs from world class designers in a variety of compositions.

The swipe file is used as a source of inspiration, of reference and a personal guide to what great, on-trend design typically looks like. 

We pick the designs that draw our eyes. Makes us go 'ooooh' and 'aaaah'. Designs that we want to be capable of creating. We want our works to live up to these professional design standards.

However, while having a swipe file is a good thing, it can also somewhat hinder you from developing your own style.

It took me a very long while to realize this and I certainly didn't realize it on my own, I've had some kind persons point it out for me. It wasn't the best experience of my life but yes, I am one step closer to being more original. To being less dependent on my swipe file and more in tune with where I want to see myself as a graphic designer.

So when you look at the art in a swipe file, you'll tend to 'swipe' certain elements and layouts from a myriad of designs and stitch it together for a new design. It's great in practice but if this is your approach (and sometimes, I won't lie, I do this without really thinking about it and then I cry), then you need to do...more.

You need to find ways that differentiate your work from the design elements you swipe. 

What makes your designs unapologetically YOU? 

And this can be done, even when you're taking a detailed request from someone. It's why they contact you in the first place. They liked your style, so it's extremely important you can narrow down what it is.

How do we do that?

Well, I think the first step is diversifying your swipe file. 

If you love to design book covers, don't limit your swipe file to book covers alone. Add album art, random manipulation compositions, illustrations, movie posters, anything you can get your hands on.

Now, I hear a 'but'.

But if the swipe file is becoming a potential crutch for me, how will diversifying it help?

It's simple, really. 

The more varied your swipe file is, the more your scope broadens. 

The more your scope broadens, the better you are able to understand that art is not limited to a particular set of rules.

That's it. 

The only thing you really should follow is knowing what colours complement each other - and there are tons of colour wheels for that. That's the only rule I would suggest following.

Other than that...

Art is not limited so you shouldn't limit yourself to what you absorb from your swipe file.

When you design, ask yourself these questions:

Does this look like an on-trend cover?

Does it look too much like that extremely-popular-adult-fantasy-romance cover?

How can I make this design pop more?

How can I make it seem more original? More spicy? More me?

How can I differentiate it so that it still fits in but doesn't look like a regurgitated, carbon copy of popular existing designs?

Usually, differentiating a design may require something as little as swapping out a stock photo, changing the font or its layout or adding more elements to the design.

However, if you're really serious about becoming a professional designer, then it's deeper than that.

You need to break the barriers that are surrounding you in design. Accept that design has no boundaries and try to overcome that boundary in our minds.

It's difficult. I just had this realization and I know what I have to do.

But it's definitely easier said than done.

However, the awareness that you now have puts you in a better position when it comes to doing future designs.

Once we get over the first hurdle, the second step to finding our style seems a bit easier.

Before we open up that canvas, we really need to think about what we want to do with this design. How we want to arrange it. 

We need to really pinpoint what our particular vision for a piece entails. What design elements we personally gravitate towards more and are common in our designs. We go with what we want to do because it sounds exciting in theory, even if it seems unachievable or completely messy to execute.

However, it's a good way to really hone into what your style is, independent of the swipe file.

Remember, the swipe file should be a guide. Not a support system.

It's okay to look at your swipe file. Study the designs. See what works for these designers.

It's okay to do all that.

But we should focus more on what makes our work just as special and spicy as the designs we've collected.

•   •   •

Thanks for reading this article!

If you enjoyed it, kindly hit that vote button and also comment your own experience to weaning off the swipe file.

All the best to you and your design jouney.

– HEAVEN