If you are seeking a degree in graphic design, chances are you have a background in art. You have a bigger head start than you think. There are principles in design that one can pull from just about any other creative hobby. Design is all around you, and the deeper you get into your design career, the more you will notice how big of a part it plays in everyday life. Building a solid foundation is the most important part of kick-starting your career. First, focus on mastering basic design principles such as typography, composition, layout, color theory, etc. Understanding these principles is easier than it sounds; always pay attention in class because you will ultimately learn something new daily that could shave valuable time off your design process. The key is to practice. Like anything else, you get what you put into it.
If you are concerned about whether or not you picked the right major, I promise that you made a great choice. I have heard this concern from numerous students over the years. Fortunately, there are so many design jobs in many different fields. You can work at an ad agency in a big city with big-name clients. You can work for a start-up marketing company and get experience expanding your skill set to match the needs of clients of all demographics. You can work in-house in a corporate setting with a team of like-minded individuals focusing on various in-house projects and campaigns. You can freelance and make your job more flexible than most careers. There are also jobs at print shops and screen printing businesses. The opportunities are endless—you get to decide which route you want.
One thing that helped my career take shape was following designers whose style resembled mine. You will design websites, ads, print collateral, etc., in a way that is visually appealing to you. If you find well-known designers creating aesthetically pleasing design work, you can use them for inspiration and emulate what they are doing. There is nothing wrong with copying what others are doing successfully. There is a reason that trends become trends. I strongly discourage anyone from copying anything 1:1. Still, if you like a general layout or look of a website, you can put your spin on it. Again, there's nothing wrong with using others' work for inspiration. There are only so many ways to lay out a website that follows sound UX principles. Using others for inspiration is how many great designers kick-start their careers and get very good at the basics.
Developing a style comes naturally simply because you are going to create work that is visually appealing to you. What's wonderful about design is that everybody will have a unique approach due to its creative nature. College is the perfect time to develop a personal design style because you will be working on numerous projects for different classes without the strict guidelines that you may find in a corporate setting or when working with various clients. This level of creative freedom is something you will rarely have once you start your career. What's great about this phase of your blossoming design career is that you can develop a personal style that is consistent throughout your portfolio. A large part of the hiring process for design jobs comes down to the contents of your portfolio. If you've come close to perfecting a style, the company looking to hire you will know precisely what they would be getting from their candidate. Your style can change over time, but it's essential to show proficiency compared to variety.
Another fascinating aspect of the graphic design field is that it's ever-changing. It's tough to get bored if you stay current on industry trends. Keeping up with trends goes for more than just styles but also tools. It's crucial to keep an eye out for anything that's changing. Trends change quickly. What's in one day may be out the next. If you are working on a project for a client—ex. a website—I would avoid doing anything too off-the-wall, even if it is "in." The best approach to designing websites is to make them as future-proof as possible. Save the trendy design for display ads and social media posts. There are great resources to follow current trends all around you. You can use inspirational resources like Dribbble & Pinterest. Additionally, I recommend following design blogs and social media accounts dedicated to design. There are plenty of ways to keep up with the trends. It would be best if you made a conscious effort to stay up to date.
If I had to choose one reason from this list that was the x-factor for my success early in my career, this would be it. Every year, I return to my alma mater to review the seniors' portfolios at the request of my old professor. The most impressive portfolios always include the student's work outside the classroom. Whether it is a website made for a family member's business, a logo for a friend, or even album artwork for a local musician, this work always elevates the quality of the portfolio. You are showing off unique work that stands out from the rest of the class and improving your skill with practice by doing extra work.
What's excellent about students taking the initiative to seek work outside of classwork is that it gives them more than just design experience—they also get real-world work experience. At this point, you're not designing for a grade but for a client. You are bringing their vision to life. Additionally, you are learning how to communicate with clients and develop a design process that fits you best. Somebody can only gain this type of experience by working with businesses or individuals. I recommend starting as soon as possible. Most of the jobs I did in college to build my portfolio were done for free or at a minimal cost. When you are just starting, the experience is more valuable than the little money you will make at that stage of your career. Instead, you will build a portfolio to help you land a job—possibly before graduation.
One way to get work outside the classroom is to share your portfolio online. The first and most obvious step is to utilize social media to get your design work out there. For example, having an Instagram account for your work is a quick and easy way to share your portfolio with a potential client. A design social media account also increases potential clients' chances to see your work. Promoting yourself online has never been easier, and exposure is vital. Additionally, I recommend sharing your work with friends, classmates, colleagues, family, etc. Be open to feedback. One of the most challenging parts of being a designer is having someone else critique your work due to how personally attached you can be. Feedback and suggestions will enhance your work, making you a better designer. Critiques and design reviews come with the territory; luckily, they only get easier over time.
Learning to sell your designs makes critiques ten times easier. Over time, you will develop a natural ability to explain your design choices. I firmly believe that selling your design work is more important than the work itself. If you convince your client that this is the best approach, they will trust you as a professional. One important thing to remember is that you need to believe what you are saying. If you are selling bad work to a client, they will know. Confidence is crucial. As a student, you can practice this with classmates or friends. It plays right into the aforementioned topic: share your work. Master selling your work, and you are almost guaranteed a successful design career.
One way to set yourself up for success post-graduation is to have an impressive résumé. The best way to build your résumé is to look for internships while in school. What's excellent about internships is that you can get real-world experience in the design field. Even better, most universities allow you to do internships for credit. Other colleges require you to complete an internship before graduation. Internships are your best bet to get a taste of a career in the field. You will work for a company and be a part of a team of like-minded individuals that will be well-versed in their careers. Internships are a goldmine of information and advice for students. Another advantage of completing an internship is that you are not locked into the job if you don't like it. For example, suppose you go into college thinking you want to work at a big corporate company. Then, after spending a summer interning for the company, you decide it's not for you. The beauty of the situation is that you are not locked in. By doing multiple internships, you can test the waters and see what career path fits you best. If you are looking for an internship, sign up to be included in The Talent Pool.
Graphic design can be loads of fun due to the creative aspect of the field. But, simultaneously, you might be in a position where the work is less-than-exciting. An excellent way to maintain high spirits is to work on passion projects outside the classroom or workplace. If you feel down about work or school, fire up a side project. It will help rekindle the love you have for design. There is a reason you chose to pick up design. Sometimes, you must go back to the basics and make something for yourself. If you are currently a student, a professional designer, or an aspiring designer, I hope this advice was helpful—and I wish you the best in your career.
