Are you a graphic designer? Then this is the perfect time to be one. It means the modern digital time we have right now is where the majority of the population are on social media. When a person browses through Instagram, they would most likely chance upon a graphic designer showing his work on the social media site. Graphic designer, Instagram — these two belong together.
Why should a graphic designer have an Instagram account? First of all, Instagram is really a platform for creatives. A lot of people may look down at influencers who take advantage of the good life and blast it on Instagram. Well, it takes creativity to be an influencer.
Being an influencer is not just about good looks. In fact, good looks may just be a result of creativity. Influencers are creative. They wouldn’t be one if they don’t know how to make ordinary things beautiful. Creativity is also not just something that you see. It can be a person’s thinking. So, when you see an influencer doing something that you don’t usually do, that’s because they have thought of something special.
There are also influencers who deceive their audience. They make it seem like they are living a good life when in fact, it was just the setup of their photo. Look, the example was just to state a point. Of course, as a graphic designer, you can’t deceive people. You need to give them what they ask for.
This was just to prove a point that influencers are actually creative people. They know what the audience wants to see and they eventually make money out of that. Being a graphic designer, though, is more than just creativity.
For now, let’s talk about the importance of Instagram. As already pointed out, Instagram is really the platform for creative people. This is because it’s a visual platform. When you look at Facebook, you can post something even without a visual presentation. You can type a rant if you want to. In fact, you can post fake news if that’s your thing. No, we don’t advocate fake news, we’re just making a point that you can post essays or rants or roasts on Facebook even without an image or video.
That is not the case on Instagram. You need a photo on Instagram. Or you can post a video, too. If you post something and it is not visually appealing, then you might get likes from your family or peers. But if you post something visually attractive, then you might get likes from people who don’t know you.
See how it works?
You might be unknown today, but when you post creative designs, you would not be unknown for long. People may say they don’t post on Instagram for the likes. Well, they should! Those likes could turn into business. That’s exactly why graphic designers should have Instagram accounts. Who knows? Your next big client just might be browsing Instagram the moment you posted something really good.
Of course, you have to be smart with your Instagram usage. In order to maximize the benefits of Instagram, you need to know how to use it properly. As a visual platform, you should be able to satisfy the public’s visual demand. The public wants creativity and Instagram is an outlet for creativity.
As a graphic designer, you should showcase your creativity. Regular people may not be consistent with their posting. Today they might post something creative and tomorrow they just showcase something that wasn’t really thought out properly. It was just something they thought.
For a graphic designer, though, especially if you are seeking clients, you have to be smart about what you post. Every post you make, you should think that it is for some big client. Every design should seem like it’s the last design you will make. That may sound corny but the point is that you should showcase your best in every post. That should be the case in all things but nobody has the energy to be always so acute.
Consider Instagram as your online portfolio. You should know that even when you are trying to apply for a job, a lot of employers now look at your social media presence. For non-design work, people will look at a potential employee’s behavior online. For design work, obviously, employers will look at your design. Perhaps the behavior part will come in second.
If you are not planning on being an employee, then Instagram is definitely a great way to showcase your work. It’s a portfolio that everybody can have access to. Of course, you have to set your account to public.
Every graphic designer should set their accounts to public. You should be searchable. You should reach a wide range of audience. You know, this is not just for your economic state. This is also about spreading creativity in the world.
When you showcase your work on Instagram, it is a form of marketing. You are showing the public what you can do. If they like it, then they might hire you. Others would spread the word and soon enough you will have clients from all over based on word of mouth.
You will also benefit from being on Instagram. This is where you can see your counterparts. You may see competition. It’s how you can scope what they do and how they do it.
It’s also a great site to be inspired by other graphic designers. They don’t have to be just your competitors. You may also get inspiration from looking at their work. Graphic design is always changing. The trend today could change tomorrow. Technology is ever-changing and so design has to change with the times. You have to be on top of that or you will be left behind.
When you are on Instagram, you will most likely be on top of the trend. You’ll find it from other graphic designers or you may start the trend after being inspired by what you saw on Instagram. By the way, you don’t have to stick with Instagram. It may be the perfect platform for graphic designers but it doesn’t mean that it’s the only platform for graphic designers.
Facebook is still the most popular site in the world. And while Instagram is owned by Facebook, the two platforms are different. Build a following on Facebook, too, to maximize your social media presence.