Are you interested in the graphic design profession but wondering how to get a career going? Many creatives are rethinking their careers, searching for options that stimulate their minds, and some are considering graphic design. Hence, there is some stiff competition, but the opportunity pool is still wide enough to fit existing and new players.
You can take different routes but ensure the ones you pick lead to a successful career in graphic design. We say this because we know there is never one true path to success in this industry. The many who feel they can make identified and seize opportunities and work hard on every project. They pour passion, vigour, and commitment into their work.
Check out our UK design jobs board to find the top work vacancies in graphic design presently. We constantly update the board to ensure you can discover the best opportunities available. Keep your professional portfolio updated; these portfolio sites can help you in that area.
- Pursue Formal Study
Some graphic designers have gained recognition in the industry without undergoing formal education in the profession. It is a fact that speaks volumes, but a degree is your safest bet if you want to venture and succeed in graphic design. Please note that it is not about having certificates to help you land employment. But the benefit of a thorough grounding in practical and theoretical principles of graphic design ensures you do the job exceptionally.
- Brush Up Your Software Skills
The education system does not shine a lot of light on specific software skills because a significant part of the academic courses focus on helping students grasp timeless concepts and principles which can help them broaden their problem-solving abilities. Software is subject to periodic changes and thus presents a challenge for many academic institutions, forcing them to keep up with the latest solutions even when they might not be necessary.
Nevertheless, education is essential. The primary objective, irrespective of how you educate yourself, is to practise what you learn. Ensure you completed projects or products you can use to bolster your professional portfolio and can present at interviews.
London creative recruitment agencies have a dedicated and hugely experienced Creative team who work on the design and creative roles within agencies and marketing teams across all sectors. They work with top creative talent at all stages of their careers.
- Start Freelancing
Try to get up to speed with the latest and relevant software after completing your formal studies and searching for a job. Use the time you spend waiting for replies to applications you sent to try a hand at building your experience level. Start your career as a freelancer.
Real-world projects can be the best challenges that help solidify what you learned as you implement the theoretical and practical skills as a freelancer. It will build an understanding of different areas and give you points to highlight during interviews. You will have things to keep you busy and making money as you wait for an opening that earns you suitable wages.
- Consider Charity Work
Offering your design skills to community charities is another effective way of building a network base, bolstering your portfolio, and getting noticed. Working for a good cause, something that’s close to your heart can also be rewarding in different ways. Such projects have the potential to pave ways that lead to paid work in the profit and non-profit sectors.
- Find Internship Opportunities
A paying or non-paying placement at an in-house department or an established design studio will be a chance to gain invaluable experience that shapes your career in graphic design. You learn how the design organisations run, how they deal with client requests and have a better understanding of the workload.
- Grow A Network Of Peers
Most professionals consider their peers as competition, not collaborators or supporters. Having such a perception in the design industry limits your potential for growth and success. Taking time to nurture a network of peers in the industry is vital. For instance, someone might pass a project on to you because they have a lot on their plate or a tight budget. Such work could be a perfect fit for you, a chance to expand your experience and add to your portfolio. Moreover, the project might open doors to new and better ventures.
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