6 Tips For Building A Career In Graphic Design

Are you looking to switch careers and get into graphic design but unsure where/how to start? Well, you are not alone; many creatives today are looking to venture elsewhere as their current position isn’t thrilling anymore. The IT industry is one of the most competitive today but also presents loads of new opportunities for everyone. It thus makes perfect sense for you to seize the opportunity and build a career as a graphic designer.

Here are a few pointers and tips on how to build a career in graphic design, as well as the dos and don’ts to succeed.

1. Take A Course on The Same

Although most graphic designers are ‘self-taught,’ it would be best to consider taking a course in graphic design. A college or university degree in graphic design is the most reliable and safest way to make it in the industry. In addition to having backup ‘papers’ confirming formal study, there’s a lot to learn in class, in both theory and practicals, skills that will come in handy in the field.

2. Sharpen Your Software Skills

Most formal study modules hardly focus on specific software skills but mainly on the principles and concepts of the same –luckily, they apply to most of the software on the market. Equipped with the concepts and principles, it will be much easier for one to handle and solve problems in the field regardless of the software in use. It is also worth noting that software packages evolve daily, with several tweaks to make them more efficient. Academic institutions thus cannot accommodate these changes in real-time, another reason they have to stick to concepts and principles. It is thus up to you to pick a specific software and practice to sharpen the acquired skills. Working on several projects alone or with another professional can help you master the art beautifully.

3. Become a Freelancer

With formal training out of the way, it is best to hit the ground running. The best way to do this is to become a freelancer and start with simple projects first. Be sure to send out applications to prospective employers while you work as a freelancer. Working on real projects should keep you busy and sharpen your skill and talent immensely. This is where those theory classes will come in handy, especially if you understand these well. Theory skills are helpful when working on complicated projects requiring expertise, creativity, and professionalism. Freelancing will also keep you afloat (financially) as you wait for potential employers to respond. 

4. Consider Charity Work

In addition to freelancing, you want to build a network base and possibly your brand too. There’s no better way to do this than putting your best foot forward in charity work. Offering your skills to community charities will make it easier for potential employers to notice your skill and make an offer. Focus on giving your best to these charities and let nature take its course. Although you might not know this, offering your services to charities could also see you earn some money in the process. Most non-profit and profit enterprises will gladly offer a token of appreciation for a well-done job.

5. Get an Internship

A digital marketing recruitment agency is an excellent platform to provide an internship for one to put their skills to work and showcase their expertise. Working with a reputable company with a good design studio will make you an even better designer. This is because you will better understand client requirements and requests and learn to handle workloads without supervision.

6. Grow A Network of Peers

Many people have a misconception that their peers are competition. This is farther from the truth; your peers are your best collaborators and supporters, especially in the tech niche. In the design world, a network of peers is a blessing and one of the best things you can ever have. Designers share ideas, collaborate, and even refer projects to persons best qualified for the same. That said, quit the traditional mindset and start building a network of peers, especially those in the same line of work and profession as you. You will be surprised how beneficial this is.