Master the Art: Quintessential skills every visual designer needs

Visual Designer and Analyst Debanick Ghosh’s design philosophy is a combination of Gestalt Design Theory and Minimalism. “I believe in creating designs that emphasise simplicity, clarity, and effective communication. Utilising Gestalt principles, I aim to create designs that are visually appealing and foster a harmonious relationship between elements, enhancing the overall user experience. Minimalism allows me to remove unnecessary elements, ensuring that the designs are focused and impactful while conveying the intended message with elegance,” he highlights. 

The Apeejay Stya University alumnus has a background in architecture and design as well  as has completed courses in creative arts, crafts, design, building construction, theory of structure, and sustainable building design principles, among others. Additionally, Debanick  pursued postgraduate programmes in design research, technical theory, market research, and entrepreneurship development. He has also completed various online certification programmes from esteemed institutes such as IE Business School, Wharton (UPenn), UC Boulder, and Darden (UVirginia) ,to enhance his skills in design thinking, execution, and understanding modern industry pipelines. 

In this interview, the alumnus explains about his interest in design and some of the top skills required to become  a visual designer. Read edited excerpts: 

How did you develop an interest in design, and what inspired you to take up this career?

My interest in design developed from my educational background in architecture and design. The combination of mental mapping, design ideation, coloring techniques, and drawing skills allowed me to create unique designs while capturing the essence of the design brief. The process of creating engaging graphic designs and analyzing design trends and patterns inspired me to pursue a career in visual design. I was motivated to empower industries with my creative assets and take startups to the next level through branding identity and creative exploration.

Any key projects you have worked on that you are proud of?

Some key projects I am proud of include:

·         Creating visually appealing invites, brochures, and collaterals for monthly events.
·         Generating weekly graphic content for social media platforms, including LinkedIn and Instagram, by designing posters, brochures, presentations, invites, WhatsApp campaigns, emailers, and other creatives.
·         Designing sales creatives for the Saarathi sales team, delivering three per week.
·         Providing creative support to the preferred channel partner.
·         Generating monthly sets of push notifications for the Saarathi App and Saarathi Web (www.saarathi.ai).
·         Developing and implementing weekly blog posts with targeted keywords, leading to increased website traffic.
·         Revising and updating existing content on the website and Saarathi App, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
·         Assisting in the uniform branding of Saarathi offices across all locations in India, contributing to branding efforts in CP Office Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune.

The above services and contributions as a whole has contributed to our company’s growth.

Tell us the top five skills required for a visual designer

Top five skills required for a visual designer are:
-Proficiency in graphic design software and tools.
– Strong creative and artistic abilities.
– Analytical skills for understanding design trends and patterns.
– Effective communication and collaboration skills to work with diverse teams.
– Ability to think critically and solve design problems efficiently.

As a visual designer, focusing on the aesthetics of a website or other digital design plays a crucial role. What are the other elements to be kept in mind?

In addition to focusing on the aesthetics of a website or digital design, other elements to consider are: 

– User experience (UX) design to ensure ease of navigation and usability.
-Consistency in design elements, such as colour schemes, typography, and imagery.
-Accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.
-Mobile responsiveness to cater to various devices and screen sizes.
-Integration of brand identity and messaging to create a cohesive user experience.

How do you think Apeejay prepared you for your professional journey?

When I first gave my interview to now ex-HoD of School of Design and Visual Arts at ASU, Prof. Dibyendu Tripathi, he told me about his experience and the work that motivated him and how he immersed himself into the corporate world with an open mind as a fine artist and an art scholar balancing both, that kind of inspired me to know more about his techniques and identifying and establishing my personal techniques and philosophies and apply the same to Visual Communication Design program curricula at ASU’s School of Design and Visual Arts, leading up to my final year dissertation based on Transdisciplinary educational importance in society, which then helped me understand the current market diversity of industry that I am working with.

Tips for those aspiring to be a visual designer

Those aspiring to become visual designer must:
-Practice regularly and continue to develop your creative skills.
-Stay updated with design trends and industry advancements.
– Seek feedback from peers and mentors to improve your work.
-Collaborate with others and be open to different perspectives.
– Be curious and continuously learn from diverse sources.”