You’re about to graduate high school and you’re not too sure about what you want to do with your life yet. You’ve entertained a lot of career options but the one that is sticking out to you the most is graphic designer.
You’ve heard that it’s hard to get jobs in that field though. In truth, it can be but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try at all. You just need a push in the right direction to move forward.
We’re going to give you that push. Check out these important steps for getting started with your graphic design career.
1. Passion
The first thing you need is passion. If you’ve only got a passing interest in graphic design then you won’t want to get involved with it. You won’t be able to motivate yourself to study.
You need to be the type of person who is always flipping through magazines or fills up sketchbooks with new and interesting ideas.
2. Study
Part of being a graphic designer is being creative but you can’t rely on that alone. You’ve got to study. You won’t be able to get very far if you can’t even make a certificate in adobe photoshop after all.
On top of learning how to use the programs, you’ll also need to brush yourself up on design theory and terminology.
3. Keep Your Day Job
If you’re stressed out financially you’ll let your studies slip on accident. That’s why you should keep your day job unless you have a ton of savings saved up that you can live off of for a bit.
It won’t be easy to balance both but if you practice proper time management and learn to say no to double shifts, you should be fine.
4. Focus
It will be hard but you may need to start saying no to social nights out so you can focus on your studies. If you have a close group of good friends they will understand and support your decision.
Besides, if you go out less you can dump that money on more lessons that you need to get ahead. This being said, you don’t have to completely give up on going out.
Everyone needs a break now and again. Just make sure that you’re not doing it every other night.
5. Replicate
If you have an artist that you admire you can get some of their designs and attempt to recreate them. It makes for a fun learning exercise and teaches you more about different design styles.
Keep in mind that you will never use your replicated designs as anything other than practice. You should never sell them.
How to Get a Jump on Your Graphic Design Career
Do you feel a calling to get into the graphic design career field? While it may be hard to find work in it sometimes, you can still be successful. Keep these tips in mind when you start your journey.
Having problems getting used to the technology side of being a graphic designer? Check out the technology section of our blog for helpful tips.