Today I'm welcoming the talented Traci Reed, to share a little about her digital designing class at Scrapaneers.com. So You Want To Be A Design Star will run in April, but early bird prices end March 10. Traci is a designer with 9 years of experience in the digital and paper scrapbooking world, as well as qualifications in design. I have personally invested in taking this class and am constantly referring back to what I've learnt - 6 months later!

I've been asked over and over and over again how I do the things I do when I design. After 9 years, I think it's finally time to start spreading the love and letting everyone in on my design secrets. I realized when starting to brainstorm the class, that I'd have to start at the beginning and when I went back and reevaluated what it is that I do, there was so much to learn before you can really design that I wanted to start with the basics. I realized that the best place to start was with the foundation and that's what So You Want To Be A Design Star is all about. That's why in this class, we walk through the process of finding out who you are as a designer, color theory, typography, extraction, etc before we ever design a kit.

To participate, students should have a working knowledge of Photoshop or PSE, meaning they understand the program and have used it before, but they don't need any knowledge of design to take the class.

The real fun part comes in the last 2 weeks where first your peers will critique the mini kit that you’ve been making in the previous 6 weeks, giving you helpful feedback that you can then use to make revisions. In the last week, I’ll be sitting down with each new designer individually via video and will give them CC on their revised kit. I believe that this last week is invaluable because it can feel, at times, like designing is this closely guarded secret that no one is willing to share. I would have jumped at the chance to have a seasoned designer mentor me when I was in the beginning stages of my career, so I’ve set out to do the same with my students!

Your Questions Answered

When Traci ran this class last year, several of you had questions about the class and if it would suit you. So, I sent your questions to Traci, and she's got all answers for you here today.

I'm new to designing. What basics do I need to know before starting this class?

You need to have a basic working knowledge of Photoshop. Digital scrapbookers who’ve been learning and growing with their program for a few years would probably have enough knowledge. We start at a very beginner level, so it’s not hard to follow.

I have an older version of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, will this class suit me?

It will work ok, but there will be things you can’t do for sure.

Do I need Illustrator to take this class?

Nope. We focus on Photoshop since most beginning designers are more comfortable there.

There's so many other designers out there, how will your class help me know how to stand out from the crowd?

There are a lot of designers out there for sure, but not all of them have a solid foundation in design and “fly by the seat of their pants” much like I did when I started 10 years ago. Design Star takes the skills you already have and turns them into something more marketable. We talk about color choices and branding a kit, which is the most important thing you can do to set yourself up for success. If you’re really looking to stand out from the crowd, I suggest following Design Star up with my Crafty Marketing class!

Can I get feedback from your about my designs?

Yes! Throughout the entire process I leave feedback in the forum, and then the last week we have a 1 on 1 interview where I go over your completed mini kit in detail with you!

I've been struggling with getting really crisp extractions and clear colours. Will this class help me with that?

Yes! We go over photographing for extractions and recoloring!

Are you a wannabe designer, or maybe you are keen to take your design skills to the next level, here's the details:

The early bird registration price ends soon, so get yourself over and register today!

I'll see you in class!