These days, a degree does not guarantee a job, especially in the competitive creative industry. Trust me. In 2015, after receiving my Associate’s degree in Fashion Design, I had no job opportunities come my way at all. Now I understand why, it was because I was not as passionate about fashion design as I am about graphic design! It took me networking, building my portfolio, taking constructive criticism, and finding my voice in this industry. Below are 4 important tips for new designers and new design students that helped me through college as well as landing my first full-time design job!
Get Involved and Network
Whether you are online, or in-person, it’s a good idea to take an active role in the world of design. Join organizations, attend events, keep up with industry leaders, and keep an eye on what’s happening and what’s trending in design! Staying involved and networking can open up so many opportunities for you, even some opportunities you didn’t even think were available. Networking is key and creating, as well as growing, appropriate professional connections can turn into more clients, better projects, and a faster career advancement. “Any social engagement can turn into a fruitful networking opportunity. Keep your eyes and ears open wherever you may be. You never know who is a friend of a friend of your next potential client” (Alati, 2020).
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Perfect Your Portfolio
Whether you are creating a physical design portfolio, or a digital one, think about it as a whole. Be sure to edit it carefully and always consider the order in which your projects should go. Typically, you want to open and close with your two strongest projects, since these are the ones that are more likely remembered. It is important also, to have both a digital and a physical portfolio because “if you are only using digital platforms to present your work samples, you are selling yourself and your work short. In a highly competitive industry, you have to distance yourself from the rest of the field in any way you can. The best way of doing this is by presenting the unexpected and doing something different” (Rabida, 2016).
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Learn to Take Constructive Criticism As Well As Straight Up Criticism
Learning to take criticism is a vital part of being a designer. No matter what, you are always going to receive negative reactions. Even some of the greatest designers that make millions still receive tons of criticism to this day, so don’t get discouraged! Never take it personally. Negative reactions and setbacks should push anyone to want to work harder, and there is nothing wrong with pushing a little more. Criticism can hurt, trust me, but do not let it define you because you and your work are bigger than negativity!
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Work Out Who You Are and Know Your Work
Deciding what you want to do in the industry is tough. There are so many different routes you can take as a graphic designer, like tons. Finding yourself, knowing your work, and your strong suits are very important! Having that clear idea of what you want to do and where you want to be is the first step in getting there. For example, if I were to take on the role of becoming an illustrator, I would fail miserably. Simply because I have learned over time that illustration is not my strong suit, that doesn’t mean I’m not a graphic designer, it just means that is not where I am meant to be. My strong suits (as well as what I love doing) are social media content, album/single artwork, and videography (mainly live performances). Meaning I would fit in better as a content creator, which is the role I work in now full-time. If I can do it, so can you! It took me a while to figure it out, and that’s ok because now I know who I am as a designer and I know my work!
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References
Alati, D. (2020, March 2). 7 Networking Tricks Successful Designers Swear By. Retrieved from AD Pro: https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/7-networking-tricks-successful-designers-swear-by
Rabida, K. M. (2016, April 21). 5 Most Impressive Graphic Design Print Portfolios. Retrieved from Next Day Flyers: https://www.nextdayflyers.com/blog/5-of-the-most-impressive-graphic-design-portfolios/