51 New Year resolutions for graphic and web designers | Graphic Design Blender

The traditional New Year Resolution: some dread it and some embrace it. Of course, it’s not always easy to sit down and decide what we hope to accomplish over the next year. Below you will find a few ideas that I hope will be helpful in making you a more successful graphic or web designer next year and for the rest of your career. If you have more suggestions please add to the list.

1. Graphic Designers, Code your first web site
2. Web designers, Design your first set of business cards, a logo, or a poster
3. Design and Code your first wordpress theme
4. Learn the basics of Photoshop and Illustrator
5. Learn the principles of usability in any design setting.
6. Get a twitter account if you don’t have one. (If you have one, you can follow me too. I know–shameless plug.)
7. Try out some sort of new online social media.
8. If you freelance, raise your rates.
9. Find new and better ways to connect with clients (Google Voice, Google Wave, etc.)
10. Study Typography more in depth and apply it in your designs
11. Try a color scheme you have never even imagined
12. If you are a freelancer, try an office job. If you are in the office, try freelancing.
13. Get all the info you need from your client by asking the right questions
14. Start a blog or write for other blogs
15. Get involved in the online community
16. Learn the basics of XHTML and CSS (web designers: learn something new–perhaps CSS3 or HTML5)
17. Take up a new hobby that doesn’t involve design in any way
18. Exercise the left side of your brain more (give the right side of your brain a rest)
19. Learn the basics of copywriting
20. Update your portfolio to meet industry standards
21. If you don’t have an online portfolio, get one. If you don’t have a print portfolio, get one.
22. Update your resume
23. Do some volunteer design work
24. Use at least one project to defy all the rules you have ever learned
25. Break the mold of design (especially on the web)
26. Take an extra class about design at a local university, college, or community school
27. Teach a community class on design
28. Give speeches at your local Chamber of Commerce (US) or other business organization in order to find clients and establish a reputation
29. Learn more about some designers who created things before computers were popular
30. Subscribe to top design blogs and frequently read from their feeds
31. Follow top designers on twitter and interact with them
32. Save for that dream computer you’ve always wanted
33. Have the guts to buy it (see #32)
34. Take on odd jobs that sound impossible or above your level of expertise. Then force yourself to be good enough
35. Start your design process with good sketches and brainstorming
36. Learn how to market yourself or your client via social media
37. In your next meeting with a client, be a little more professional
38. Really impress your clients–current and new
39. Have confidence in your work. Show that confidence by bringing a contract to the first meeting
40. Help someone rebuild or fortify their branding
41. Redesign something just for fun
42. Learn the basics of advertising and marketing
43. Take time to be inspired
44. Simplify your life and Simplify your design.
45. Avoid these logo design mistakes
46. Be a little more patient with your most annoying clients
47. Embrace Failure. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or admit your don’t know something
48. Clean your desktop off. No, Really.
49. Go against the grain. Don’t follow design trends
50. Sell something besides your services. Code a wp theme, write a book, etc.
51. Organize your time and be more efficient

What else would you add to the list of new year’s resolutions for graphic and web designers?