Kate's Graphics (OPEN)

Then and Now (My Story Graphics)

I was recently looking through my old graphics on Imgur and came across the original cover for my story (The Khaos Theory). It wasn't the first cover I ever made but it was pretty terrible.

I wanted to show how my graphics have improved since joining Wattpad. I hope this will encourage new designers who feel they aren't good enough and maybe convince others to give the new designers a chance so they can grow. I'm still not the best (I'm no where near as good as some designers here.) although I will admit I'm really proud of my graphics.

Note: Earlier graphics have different titles because I changed it. 'Villain of Justice', 'Project X74' and now 'The Khaos Theory'.

Covers and Banners:

Story Ads: (I've only ever done two)

Photo Manipulation: (The only one I've done for this story and the latest graphic I have made)

As you can see over (almost) two years I have progressed a lot.

My advice to new designers:

1)Don't give up. No matter what people say, the only thing between me and you is practice.

2) Use tutorials. There are many on wattpad if you check the MDC. (I'll be doing some along with other great designers on a new graphics account CoverCrew so check it out and follow. We're just getting started but we will be there to help and for more than just graphic needs.) You can also find some great photoshop (and other design programs but I personally use photoshop) tutorials on youtube.

3) Livestreams. Many wattpad designers will livestream while making graphics. It's a good way to see how some covers are made and ask the designer some questions about things you dont understand (first make sure the designer can take some questions.)  here is a link to a livestream thread. (I'll also post in the comments) https://www.wattpad.com/forums/discussion/1134161/the-hotspot-share-your-livestreams-check-latest-pages-for-ls/#Item_204

4) Get critiques from other designers.  Graphic stalkers is a great place for feedback on your covers. There are designers of all levels and they are all happy to help. Just remember to give some comments on other peoples graphics when you post (I like to comment on the graphics on the latest page and the ones at the end of the previous page.)

5) Keep practising, ask people in the MDC for fake requests.

6) It doesn't matter what you use for design. Photoshop can be expensive and many of you are young and need to rely on parents to pay for things like Photoshop and it's not always an option. Many great designers here use other programs that are free and can make better covers than me. (Pixlr and Gimp are two of the most common ones.) It's a good idea to start with these as there is no point in paying for Photoshop if you are just starting and are barely ever going to use it. I could have saved myself a lot of money by starting out with Pixlr or Gimp (my first covers which are horrible were done on photoshop.)

My First ever covers (made in photoshop)

Pixlr: A free photo editing website (and app). No need to download and is similar to photoshop.

GIMP: A free photo editing software. Must be downloaded. Is very similar to photoshop.

Photoshop CC: This is what I use it costs me about £8 a month (I think it's cheaper in USA but not sure)  and is very good, but it isn't necessary to be the best graphic designer.  Free copies can be found on the internet but be careful you aren't downloading a virus disguised as Photoshop. Ask in the MDC if anyone knows where you can get it as many designers have gotten it for free. I got Topaz (a useful, but not needed thing for photoshop that usually costs money) for free from a link someone posted in MDC)

Anyway. Let me know what you think of my progress as a designer in the comments.

I hope this has encouraged some new designers.