Andrew Robbins

In modern design, typography has a second job: accessibility. 💡 From font sizing and hierarchy to contrast ratios and line length, good type should work for everyone - not just look good in a mockup. This visual highlights practical rules designers often skip, but users always feel. #Typography #Accessibility #InclusiveDesign #UXDesign #GraphicDesign #DesignBestPractices #WCAG

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“A graphic designer isn’t…” I’ve been seeing a lot of posts like this lately on here. They usually go on to say what should or shouldn’t be in a graphic designers description or whether they should stick to one specialty or branch out. Over the years, I’ve watched that advice swing back and forth out of popularity. One season, “Pick one specialty and master it.” The next, “Be a generalist.” Here’s the truth for me, I never saw myself as just my job title. I’ve always seen myself as a collector of skills. Every project, every challenge, every job was an opportunity to learn something new. A chance to add tools, techniques, and processes up my sleeves to help me stack the deck in the future. Why? Because I’ve been through too many layoffs, recessions, and unpredictable company roller coasters to rely on one narrow skill set. Instead, I became a jack of all trades—someone who could step into almost any creative or production challenge and figure it out. The person who could bridge gaps, connect dots, and keep projects moving when things got stuck. That mindset has made me valuable and versatile. It’s opened doors, expanded my network, and allowed me to work on projects I might not otherwise. I’m still learning, I’m still collecting, and I'm still evolving those skill sets. As you never know what that one skill may be that is going to separate you from others, make you the perfect fit for a role, or may help you solve a future creative problem (as i found out this past year with a new skill of mine!).

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I’ve been seeing a lot of posts lately along the lines of: “Graphic designers are NOT motion designers, video editors, illustrators, photographers, etc. Employers need to stop asking them to be.” I get where that frustration comes from, but personally, I think this sentiment can come across as rigid. Some of the most rewarding moments in my career have been when I've stepped outside the “graphic designer” box and tried my hand at motion, 3D, video, and roles I hadn’t touched before. These moments expand my skillset, and show me new directions my career could grow. That said, boundaries matter. Clear communication around workload, timelines, and quality expectations will mean the difference between healthy growth and burnout. To me, saying “I don’t do that, I’m just a graphic designer” misses the nuance. I like to frame it as: “I’d love to explore that, but here’s what I need to make it successful.” Creativity thrives at the edges of our comfort zones, and being trusted with tasks outside of the job description can be a great opportunity.

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It still takes a designer to make this work—and that’s not changing anytime soon. The strongest companies won’t replace designers; they’ll empower them. Like any other tool, this technology is most effective in the hands of someone who understands creativity, strategy, and execution. Designers aren’t going anywhere—we’re evolving, and bringing these tools with us.

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I often see designers painstakingly "cleaning" their print files. Expanding every effect, flattening every transparency, meticulously trimming artboards beyond the bleed. They ask if this extra work makes the printer's job easier. Or if it’s just unnecessary effort. The question isn't whether it's "extra work." It's whether it's *smart* work. True readiness isn't about deconstructing your design into its most basic parts. It’s about delivering a predictable, stable file. A reliable output. Your goal isn’t to pre-empt every possible workflow or machine quirk by manually stripping away complexity. Your goal is a correctly exported, robust PDF. One that retains your design intent while meeting technical specifications. The tools handle much of the "heavy lifting" during export. Your judgment lies in configuring those settings correctly for the specific print process. That’s where the real value is. Not in redundant manual labor. Are you optimizing your process or just doing busy work? This understanding is a core principle we often refine in discussions, the kind that elevates work beyond just technical execution. Mohamed bnyls #PrintDesign #Prepress #GraphicDesign #AdobeIllustrator #DesignThinking

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Terminal Fluency: As AI becomes more central to Designer workflows, I’ve been seeing more questions about whether the terminal is still worth learning. I think it is, terminal is core skill that compounds and unlocks next-level control over agents. Make terminal your second brain with this tmux + vim cheatsheet (or just get started) and keep your hands on the keyboard. https://lnkd.in/eV5bAFhF

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Here’s the truth: emotion sells - and guess what creates emotion faster than a sappy ad or overused stock photo? 💥 Design. 💥 From color and layout to typography and vibes, design hits people right in the feels - before they even know what they’re looking at. Here’s why emotionally smart design doesn’t just look good… it converts like a boss.

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One thing I’ve noticed in design: Many companies think they’re paying for senior expertise, but the actual work gets delegated internally. That’s just how agency structures work. The alternative is simple—work directly with the person doing the thinking and the designing. Both models have value. But transparency about who does the work matters What’s been your experience?

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I’ve been seeing a growing trend of designers on here saying they’re not an all-in-one designer, almost like it’s a badge of honor. I get the intention. Setting boundaries matters. Knowing your strengths matters. But I think there’s a bigger conversation we’re missing. In today’s market, versatility isn’t a weakness, it’s an advantage. The designers who continue to grow, stay booked, and open new opportunities are the ones who are willing to expand their skill sets. That doesn’t mean you have to be everything to everyone, but it does mean being adaptable enough to solve a variety of problems. Clients and employers aren’t just hiring a title, they’re hiring solutions. If someone comes to you for a logo and later needs social graphics, motion work, or light video editing, that’s not a burden, that’s an opportunity. An opportunity to deepen the relationship, increase your value, and stay top of mind. At the same time, it’s important that the people you work with understand your strengths and your limitations. For example, I’ll be the first to say I’m not a coder. Reading lines of code for even short periods is tough on my eyes. But put me in front of a video to edit, and I can sit there for hours dialing it in, refining every detail, and making sure it’s exactly right. That’s the balance. Be versatile, but be honest. Know where you thrive, know where you don’t, and communicate that clearly. The key isn’t saying “I don’t do that.” The key is knowing how to manage your time, prioritize your workload, and continuously sharpen your skills so you can do more when it makes sense. There’s nothing wrong with specialization. But shutting the door completely on growth can limit you more than you realize. Be known for what you’re great at. But don’t be afraid to be capable of more. #opentowork

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I used to think I had to either go all in on AI or reject it completely. But the truth is… most of us are still figuring it out. And the smartest thing I’ve learned? AI is actually most useful in the first 30% of the design process — when things are messy, open, and unformed. That’s where I’ve found it most helpful — to generate ideas, explore directions, and move past that blank page stare-down. So I wrote this piece for House of gAi: https://lnkd.in/eEJaNYae It’s for anyone who’s curious but cautious, and doesn’t want to lose their creative voice in the noise. Also: there’s a free worksheet in there to help you map out where AI might actually support your process — without flattening your originality. Would love to hear how you’re using (or resisting) AI in your own work. Drop a comment, send me a DM, or just sit with it. No pressure. #aiindesign #branding #creativeprocess #graphicdesign #houseofgai #midjourney #chatgpt #designthinking

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When good design is not enough. A clean design doesn’t guarantee a clear user experience. I’ve seen a lot of visually strong websites; they look great, but they still don’t convert. The issue isn’t the aesthetics. It’s that the user doesn’t know what to do next. There is no Call to Action, nothing for them to follow. Don't make them have to think, show them. Design makes something look good. UX determines whether it works. If the user's path isn’t clear, the visuals are not gonna matter much.

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We don’t talk enough about the toxicity that exists within the design community. Some designers casually look down on others, especially those they think are less skilled, less experienced, or using the wrong tools. Instead of guiding, they mock. Instead of correcting, they condemn. Instead of saying “Here’s how you can make this better,” they go straight to “This is why people think design is drag and drop.” But here’s the truth we forget: No designer woke up great. No craft becomes mastery overnight. Even the strongest creatives took baby steps before they took big leaps. Little drops of practice make an ocean of skill. And an ocean doesn’t just appear. It is built over time. So why shame someone who is still learning? Why not give room for growth? Why not be the designer who uplifts instead of the designer who belittles? The design industry needs less ego and more empathy. Less “I’m better than you” and more “Here, let me help you.” Because at the end of the day, we all started somewhere. #designers #empathy #designcommunity

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From Sketchpad to Screen: The Design Process Unveiled Every great brand identity starts with a solid process. It's not magic, but a structured approach that ensures strategic outcomes. I often start with research, then sketching. What's one non-negotiable step in your design process? Share below! #DesignProcess #BrandIdentityDesign #CreativeWorkflow #StrategicDesign

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Users. Audiences. Button bashers. Tab-jugglers. Cookie-banner dodgers. Whatever we’re calling them this week, we need to stop obsessing over the herd. And start designing for John. If you’re looking to overhaul your site (or even just spruce it up a bit), doing it without a clear target is a bit like playing darts in the dark. You might hit the board, but it’s mostly luck. That's why I started running persona workshops properly last year. We stop talking about "the target audience" and start asking: "What keeps John awake at 3am?" "What would make Sarah click away in five seconds?" When your audience has a name, a story, and actual headaches, your website stops being a box-ticking exercise. It becomes a tool built for them. Here's what happens when we're in the room: → We talk about to real customers stories → Map their goals, frustrations and daily routines → Give them a name, a face and a backstory Suddenly they feel like people again, not line items on a brief. Then every design decision gets filtered through one question: "Would John trust this?" Suddenly, that bog-standard hero section doesn't cut it. That vague CTA? Sarah wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. That wall of text? John’s already scrolled past to find the pricing. The best brands don't design for everyone. They design for someone. And that someone should have a face, a voice, and a problem you're solving. Your audience isn't a demographic slide in a deck. They aren't a checkbox on a brief. They're John. They're Sarah. And when you understand them at that level, you're not guessing anymore. You're building something that actually works for them. (And saving yourself a load of hassle in the process).

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Is Adobe InDesign’s new AI Alt-text generator an accessibility feature or a risk? You may have noticed that the latest version of InDesign includes an AI Alt-text generator, which automatically creates image descriptions for accessibility purposes. You might be thinking, "Great! A silver bullet for Alt-text. I don't have to worry about writing it anymore." But that's definitely not the case! In fact, it comes with a lot of risk. Here’s what you need to know before using InDesign’s AI Alt-text generator for accessible PDFs. Link in comments. #adobeindesign #alttext #indesign #indesignaccessibility #pdfaccessibility

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Senior graphic designers are already closer to project management than they might think. By the time designers reach a senior level, they’re not just creating visuals—they’re managing timelines, juggling priorities, coordinating with vendors, and keeping projects on track. That’s project management in practice. https://lnkd.in/dcUmhm-D

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I saw this and honestly… it’s too real. So many aspiring designers want to jump straight to AI tools. But skip color theory. Skip typography. Skip layout basics. I get it. Tools are exciting. They feel powerful. But design isn’t about which tool you open. It’s about whether you understand why something looks good… or why it doesn’t. AI can generate. It can’t give you taste. And taste only comes from learning the boring stuff first. If you’re starting out, don’t rush it. The fundamentals might feel slow, but they’re what actually make you dangerous in the long run. Curious — what do you think matters more right now: tools or fundamentals? #editing #videoeditor #graphicdesign #creativity #production #premierepro #designer #contentcreation #art #GraphicDesign #DesignThinking #CreativeProcess #BrandDesign #UIDesign #UXDesign #VisualCommunication #DesignerLife #Creativity #DigitalDesign #BrandStrategy #ContentCreation #DesignCommunity #DesignInspiration #VisualStorytelling #GraphicDesigner #MarketingDesign #CreativeMindset #FreelanceDesign #LinkedInCreators #RespectDesign #DesignMatters #SupportCreatives #DesignEducation #DesignTips #DesignGoals #DesignDaily #DesignLovers #DesignStudio #CreativeIndustry #CreativeWork #CreativeJourney #DesignCulture #DesignLeadership #DesignTrends #DesignSolutions #DesignSkills #DesignPortfolio #DesignChallenge #DesignArt #DesignWorld #DesignExperts #DesignGrowth

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I enjoy seeing AI introduced in ways that truly assist with some tedious, mundane tasks rather than replacing creative decision-making. In the latest Adobe InDesign 21.2 release, you can now create AI-generated alt text to reduce manual accessibility work, especially for digital-first layouts. When images are placed, InDesign can automatically suggest context-aware alt text, which designers can edit or disable entirely if needed. These are the kinds of AI integrations the community has been vocal about including in their workflows.

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