Graphic design is the type of career to be in. There are tons of career opportunities on the market. Ranging from freelance and flexible to contracted and working for big brands like Nike or Google, there’s something for everyone. It’s true when they say that a graphic designer has to have a natural artistic and creative flare – but that doesn’t mean you have to be a modern-day Vincent Van Gogh, but you must be at least creative-minded and have good technical skills.
Essentially, graphic designers create visual concepts either by computer or hand. One definition that sums it up well is the art of creating visual concepts for communication. Does this sound like something you’re interested in? Let’s look at how you can start a career as a graphics designer.
Want To Study Graphic Design?
One of the best ways to start a career in graphics design is to first find courses that allow you to study for it. When looking for a new job, especially a salaried one, you’ll notice that many employers will ask for relevant education. One of the most common degrees is a Graphic Design and Media Arts college degree, but others closely related and respected are:
- Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design and Development specializing in graphics
- Graphic and Media Design
- Marketing Communications (Graphic Design concentration)
- Drafting and Design Technology
What you’ll find is that you don’t necessarily need to enroll in a course specific to graphic design; it can be closely related.
Some people aren’t naturally gifted in education and don’t have the means to return to education, so the next best option is an internship where you’ll learn on the job. Be mindful – these are either paid at a low internship rate or not at all.
What Skills And Basics Should A Graphic Designer Know?
Every aspiring or amateur graphics designer should have basic skills and knowledge that puts them ahead of the competition. For example, there are numerous types of motion graphics, advertising and marketing design, packaging design, game design, and illustration. Those are naming only a few – the list can seem somewhat endless. That’s why it’s a good option to find your style early on and specialize in an area of graphic design that interests you.
Thinking about skills, graphic designers need to be creative and fluid, with the ability to manipulate visuals to influence an outcome. Everyone should also have basic skills in software and using the applications most commonly used in graphic design. Start by exploring the Adobe suite – including Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, illustrator, typography, and more. Adobe has one of the most sophisticated suites of tools at the disposal of graphic designers.
Thinking more basic, graphic designers should have exceptional levels of creativity and innovation. They must be able to take a brief, which can often be sparse, and turn it into a creative masterpiece that captures the eye of the beholder. Creativity is at the heart of the various graphic design fields. There’s also a need for exceptional time management skills and optimal organization. Working to deadlines is part of a graphic designer’s job role.
What Tools And Programs Should A Graphic Designer Know?
As mentioned above, one of the best programs available on the market is Adobe – the vast suite of tools gives graphic designers everything they need to produce visual content. In fact, when you explore online, you’ll see that most of the advice on the internet points budding graphic designers towards using the Adobe Premier Pro software.
Granted, it’s not one of the easiest on the market to master or the cheapest. Adobe Premier Pro costs $20.99 per month, but the fee is well worth it for anyone who wants to become a professional graphic designer. Some of the basic tools that all graphic designers should get to know are:
- Photoshop
- Sketch
- Illustrator
- InDesign
- After Effects
Explore some of the tools on the market and get a feel for how they work.
How To Become A Graphic Designer
There are numerous ways to become a graphic designer. Some people learn it as a hobby and meet the right person at the right time and turn it into a profession. Some people are self-taught and build up a clientele through a portfolio of work – many of these people start working through platforms like Fiver to get experience.
The most secure route, however, is to get a degree in graphics design or a related field and find a salaried role. Internships also work really well.
Does a career in graphic design sound like something you’d be interested in? It’s an exciting field with tons of career expansion potential. Start your journey now by researching the various ways to start a career as a graphic designer and see if it’s something you work towards.
