One of the most in demand career these days is graphic designing because it gives a high earning with a flexible time. All you need is your skills, your creativity, your computer and your right attitude. But in whatever things we do in life, we should always be prepared. For a graphic design career, there are some things that you need to do in order to be prepared in venturing the world of graphic design. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for a career in graphic design.

1. Get a Graphic Design course.

Graphic Design course
Image: Photostock

Studying graphic design and acquiring the degree gives a greater impact when you look for a job because there are employers who prefer those who have finished a graphic design course. Try to get business classes so that you will have an idea on how a business runs. There are instances that even if a person doesn’t have a graphic design course but has an extremely impressive portfolio, he still gets the job.

2. Determine where you are good at.

determine where you are good at
Image: Terence J Sullivan

Most graphic designers specialize in a certain field, like magazine designing, logo designing and others. You may practice that field but still you have to make sure that you are well rounded. It is important for designers to know everything pertaining to design.

3. Make friends and consult teachers.

make friends and consult teachers
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net Admin

In school, build friendship with your classmate who has a goal similar to you. You may help each other in your works. Consult your teachers for advices and show them your work so that they could critique it too. This will help you to improve as a designer.

4. Be involved in school events and organizations.

involved in school events and organizations
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net Admin

Attend seminars and join organizations related to design while in school. This is a good experience in handling different situations and this will also develop your leadership skills. Take advantage of field trips and seminars where you can learn a lot.

5. Join design competitions.

</p> <h2> Join design competitions
Image: sxs112.tw

Aside from competitions in your school, there are also lots of design competitions online. You may join these to gain exposure and learn through the works of others. It is okay not to win; the important thing is involvement and exposure.

6. Get an internship.

Get an internship
Image: Graur razvan ionut

This is a manner of getting yourself ready for the real world. Getting an internship will help you see the world of graphic designing and would be a valuable experience when you get your first graphic design job.

7. Acquire certificates in graphic design.

certificates in graphic design
Image: Eduard Titov

There are different ways where you can acquire a certificate. You may join competitions, attend seminars, join organizations and others. If you cannot get a 4 year course, you could also get crash courses on graphic design for just a year. There are even online schools for this.

8. Hone your photography skills.

photography skills
Image: Eduard Titov

Aside from sketching, you may develop another skill which is photography. There is a great advantage if you know this because taking pictures of your own work will need this skill. It is important that the pictures you display with your own work on it looks great to attract clients. Apart from that, clients may ask you to take pictures, too.

9. Learn the Adobe Suite.

Adobe Suite
Image: Global Innovation Game

Since you will be using InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator in your work, you need to learn these programs and eventually master it. Aside form knowing how to use the program, you also have to explore a lot and master keyboard shortcuts to make work easier.

10. Look for mediums to express your creativity.

express your creativity
Image: b0bby3l

It doesn’t mean that you have to work for a client all the time. Make some projects that will just allow you to express your creativity. Look for different mediums and try something new. Also, do not forget to do some sketching once in a while. You really don’t have to work with the computer all the time. Try to draw, paint or make collages or whatever. Just do something to help you stay creative.

11. Create a portfolio and a resume.

create a portfolio and a resume
Image: Dragonrose247

As a graphic designer, you need to have a portfolio- both online and print. Show your best works here and do not forget to always include your resume. Show only your best works in it and make it as concise as possible. Make sure everything is well presented and well written so that with one glance, your prospect employer will be impressed.

12. Start freelancing and networking.

Start freelancing and networking
Image: tapasparida

Aside from you internship, a freelance job could also help you gain experience with graphic designing most especially in dealing with clients. You will also learn to multi-task and to manage various projects. While freelancing, you can also build a network by joining the design community online. These people could give your professional advices if you need one.

All people who find this job interesting would really undergo the aforementioned things in order to be prepared in the field. You wouldn’t want to go the battle without proper training and without the right armor. So, you’d better be ready now so you can have your own name in the graphic design world. If you have other suggestions to add in this list, feel free to leave a comment below.

Kareen Liez

About the author: A Civil Engineer who has a construction business and a youth volunteer for a civic organization. She also contributes for a local newspaper due to her unwavering passion to write.

18 comments

  1. Another great example of Naldz pulling it off again! Great post fellas. Love your stuff and this blog has always been so inspirational throughout my freelance career.

  2. I agree with the “hone your photography skills”. I mean after all it is called “photo” shop. Every designer should be able to know what it takes to come up with organic photos.

    Thanks for this write up.

  3. Very nice article. I will update my portfolio now 🙂

  4. I completely agree with all the listed points but “Get an Internship” is the best point which hugely contributes in making you a successful Graphic Designer. No matter how many degrees or certificates you take, unless you don’t learn things practically….you are not successful.

  5. I think the person having artistic hand is by born, no one can beat them as it is god gifted. Designing is one of the good career and you can learn designing if you have keen interest apart from that you must have passion & enthusiasm to do same.

  6. So interesting with “Join Design Competitions”,,,would you like to write more article about this one? l mean,,,may be online websites where to find Design Competitions or Contest.

    Thank for sharing this nice article,,,have a great day 🙂

    1. Hi Junaedy…We’ll try to work on your suggestion. Thank you for reading 🙂

  7. I think joining competitions will give you a good experience of what it’s like to design for a client.

  8. Knowledge is useless if you do not practise it. The sixth point may be good example of it.

  9. Overall, a good post. However, I need to take issue with the “design competition” point. I disagree on principle with the design competition model, as it devalues our industry as a whole. Instead, I’d suggest finding non-profits, businesses or other organizations that may not necessarily have the biggest of budgets and do work for a reduced rate or as pro-bono work.

  10. thanks alot Kareen, very good
    my main problem is getting a Graphic Design course 🙁

  11. I have been browsing online more than 3 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be a lot more useful than ever before.

  12. i really appreciate you for these precious items you have DESIGNED for the people who are intereseted in this business but there is one thing on going on my mind & that’s can i get my name in this world while i only accured 2 courses regarding graphics and they are (adobe photoshope 7.0 and coreldraw) respectievely?

  13. Thanks for this … “I’m new to the Web/Graphics/Design World – so a big thank you for putting this article out here … Cheers !!!”

Comments are closed.