Having style. That’s something I’ve been wanting to talk about for awhile. Something I’ve wanted to get off my chest and out into the open. So what if you know Photoshop? So what if you can name off cool fonts? So what if you know the anatomy of a spread? The thing that I believe separates one good designer from another is having style.

I think of having style as what do you like to draw? Do you draw the same anime characters that everyone else draws, or do you have your own style? Do you add your own twist? Style is very personal and can’t (or shouldn’t) be copied. Style is what makes you you. What is your style? Some things that may define your style are:

• Color (e.g., black & white, earth tones)
• Shape
• Balance (asymmetrical, or symmetrical; I prefer symmetrical things–unbalanced drives me nuts)
• Contrast (e.g., subtle, drastic)

The thing about having style is don’t be afraid to show it! You can’t be all things to all people! True, when a client wants pink on their Web site, you give them pink. Now, you try to first advise against it, and teach them why pink would ruin their image, but if they’re paying, then who’s to complain? But as a designer, you have a lot of freedom of how a design should look, and it should have your style imprinted upon it. I believe style is makes good designers great! Its what makes each individual artist unique. Just copying and tracing somebody else’s work is not original nor creative. Anybody can copy.