Are you looking to venture down a career path in graphic design? This article will give you 6 great tips to improve your chances of being a successful graphic designer.
1. Spend Time Learning How To Use Basic Design Tools
The first part of your journey is to learn how to use common and basic tools used by professional graphic designers. There are many resources available online, at libraries or bookstores to help you learn. You may consider taking classes to use Photoshop or Illustrator or pursue a degree in graphics design as they will teach you how to use these tools to their full potential. Many professionals have content on youtube or websites that teach you steps to become better. Try to add your own personal touch to all of your learning work, as this will help you become more creative and will get you used to make your work stand out in a unique way. Save your early work as you are learning to build a base portfolio that you can build and improve on.
2. Create Your Own Website and Portfolio
Portfolios are a great way to showcase your work to the world of potential clients or employers. Employers or clients are interested in seeing what type of skills you possess, what type of tools you have mastered and if the type of work you do is what they’re looking for. Considering this, it is important that you really do your best to make your portfolio demonstrate what tools you have used for each set and show off your personal touches. You may consider adding in work that you have done while learning and improving your skills as you never know, it could help you out in the long run.
3. Join A Graphic Design Community
A great way to understand what goes into graphic design is to join and discuss with other people who are also interested in this type of work. Online communities can host a wide variety of tips and topics surrounding graphic design that may help you improve your skills and share your passion for your work. You may also be able to find out about local events that showcase graphic design related work and tools that could help you gain potential work connections.
4. Learn How To Do Specialty Work
The great part about a graphics design career is that you will always be able to learn how to use new tools and skills. Learning how to make designs for t-shirts, cellphone apps, websites and business cards are some ideas to start with. If you demonstrate to clients or employers that you can work on a variety of platforms, it will encourage them to consider these specialties from you in the future. Specialties will also increase your chances of landing clients or work from people with those particular interests.
5. Ask or Volunteer To Work
One of the best ways of familiarizing yourself with client and employer work is to dip your toes in the water first. Volunteering and asking to help with graphic design related work, even if you’re inexperienced will help you learn to communicate with future clients or employers in a noncommittal way. You will learn how you work best and what ways you can resolve problems. Understanding how to work around problems with future clients or employers will be an invaluable experience.
6. Start Freelance Work
After you feel comfortable and confident that you can work through issues with clients, you should start doing freelance work. Freelance work will allow you to get paid while you do jobs for clients or organizations and demonstrates that you have experience working independently to potential employers. Since you are also building your portfolio, usually this type of work does an excellent job of showing your best paid for work and helps immensely when seeking future employment.
Continue to demonstrate your best work after you have landed a great job. Talking to others in your field with more experience than you will help you learn more about the latest tools and techniques. Remember that it takes patience and lots of learning to be a successful graphic designer.