Today, graphic design work continues to be a competitive career path, with over 21,000 job openings projected yearly, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. As digitization and online marketing continue to be essential elements for businesses and brands worldwide, graphic design talent is in demand. However, graphic designers must maintain their health and well-being as the market constantly grows to fulfill client requests effectively.
Unfortunately, working in the graphic design field means prolonged exposure to digital devices like our computers, laptops, tablets, and drawing tablets. Over time, this can lead to computer vision syndrome, which has become even more prevalent in this digital age. Studies define computer vision syndrome (CVS) as a “complex of eye and vision problems related to near work experienced during computer use.” CVS-related symptoms can include blurred vision, visual fatigue or discomfort, dry eye disease, eye strain, and irritation. Other commonly experienced symptoms include head, shoulder, neck, and back pain.
In our line of work, having clear vision and good eye health is crucial for attracting and keeping graphic design clients. As such, taking care of your eye health is particularly vital. In this post, we’ll be sharing some essential eye health tips for graphic designers:
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Updating your prescription glasses
As mentioned above, having a clear vision is vital for graphic design work. Good design means paying attention to detail and ensuring that different visual elements work together to create a cohesive piece. If you already wear corrective glasses for clearer vision, getting them updated routinely is key.
Nowadays, you can quickly get new prescription glasses via online retailers. FramesDirect offers prescription-compatible glasses from reputable brands like Ray-Ban and Oakley. Depending on your needs and preferences, you can also check out lens upgrades like the BlueReflect
lenses for blue-violet light protection or Transitions® lenses if you enjoy spending time outdoors in your downtime. The best way to update your prescription glasses, of course, is to go for routine eye checkups in case of any changes to your prescription.
Eating to support eye health
Aside from ensuring your prescription glasses are updated, getting the right nutrition is crucial. In a previous post, we explained how nutrition can help boost energy levels for busy creatives like graphic designers. There may be creative periods when it’s hard to step away from your computer to grab a bite to eat, so it’s important to load up on good food before the start of the work day. This includes eating various foods and properly taking vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates.
Aside from keeping your body healthy, getting proper nutrition can also benefit your eye health. For example, dairy and dark leafy greens are rich in vitamin A, which helps determine vision quality in low-light conditions. Meanwhile, foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and kale, can help prevent age-related cataracts. As such, eating and snacking healthily while you work can help protect your eye health in the long term.
Arranging your workspace
Another crucial eye health tip for graphic designers is to work in an ergonomic and well-lit environment. Many graphic designers work from the convenience of their homes, which also means they may not have the optimal setup for their home offices.
Experts recommend investing in task lighting like a desk lamp to brighten up your workspace and reduce eye strain. Likewise, you can also move your office layout around so that you get enough natural lighting to work in. Ergonomics-wise, you may want to invest in standing desks like those from Herman Miller or Steelcase to ensure you keep moving throughout your workday. Height-adjustable desks are also helpful for optimal lighting so you don’t have to squint or strain your eyes, especially if you work near a window or other major light sources.
Taking regular breaks
Finally, it’s important to take routine breaks while you’re working. This allows your eyes to get some rest and blink more frequently, which helps keep your eyes lubricated and prevents dry eyes. Graphic designers tend to work for hours, and being too focused may mean you blink less often.
Eye doctors have long recommended the 20-20-20 rule to encourage regular breaks from your digital device screens. Every 20 minutes, you should take a 20-second break and look at an object 20 feet away. This helps alleviate eye fatigue and maintain focus throughout your workday. While it can be easy to forget or get too immersed in your graphic design work, you can try setting timers or using the Pomodoro method to remind yourself to take screen breaks.
If you found this post useful, you can find other graphic design posts, tips, insights, and guides on the Graphic Design Junction homepage.
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