How did you learn graphics?

How would it be possible for someone who has never made a single graphic to become a graphic designer? What tips would you give? What sites would they need? Would they have to invest any money?

Just wondering in case I ever decide to try my hand at graphic design.

The only thing you really need is Photoshop, then like Shady said just mess around with it.

With all the available resources online, all you need is the passion to learn and the right tools at hand. With graphic design, you need Photoshop to get started and experiment with it. There are a lot of tutorials online that help make it easier to understand what each tool is for. And of course, to keep yourself inspired, check out online portfolios.

I just get my Photoshop loaded up. Get me a load of resources (Icons, vectors and whatnot) and mess around until I produce something half-decent really. Its the only way to learn for me! Of course, I use tutorials from to time because they can teach me some stuff that I wasn't aware of beforehand, which is always useful! Although, my tip would be that if you're following a tutorial, do not follow it to the letter. Experiment, change and whatnot. You don't learn by just following stuff, be unique!

Photoshop alone isn't going to help you, you need to be creative yourself. Graphic design is an art, not everyone is an artist, right?

Also correct! I am in the stage of learning that 'creativity' although I do realise it is not something you can simply learn but hey, I can try eh? I just wish I was naturally creative though.

Hey, you may be! With the right tools it will come out

I used to be horrible with graphics, but now I'm not so bad. I do it for fun every now and then with Photoshop. It just takes time and self-teaching. That, and some Googled tutorials won't hurt either.

Try using simple tools like aurora, AAA logo, and then fiddle around with photoshop. Try messing up with images, coloring, uncoloring, resizing, layer editing, etc., you soon will be able to make some decent GFX by yourself.

just try them owning by Solidus its an awesome community they using xenforo software too they always trying to help !

www.gfxforums.net

I learned graphic design in Photoshop through Youtube and Lynda.com. It took me about 3 months but it was worth it.

I learned most of it in picasa and several other online tools, before I started using photoshop. Photoshop can turn a lizard into a dragon if you know how to use it

Photoshop, CD, have been using both of them for the past several years.

By doing it. 10 years ago I started a small karate site and started tweaking it. It was ugly until it stopped being so ugly. When you spend 5-8 hours/day tweaking and playing 'webmaster' you're bound to actually learn something.

Dojo, very true. BTW, I just had a sneak peak into your forums and they are really good. I am currently working on a forum based on healthcare and beauty products. Hope I can get in touch with you in case I need your support.

Mistakes from one to another is really an experience in learning graphic designs. You just have to be playful in learning. Practice makes really perfect for you to make a design from business cards, leaflets or even websites. Learning on your own would be better because there is no grounds from learning. You can explore on your own.That's the best you can do.

It's simple experiment with your graphics software.And practice because practice makes a man perfect.

I learned it by experimenting with photoshop.