HOW TO BECOME A GRAPHIC DESIGNER: EDUCATION AND CAREER ROADMAP

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Graphic designing is a successful career path that allows you to illustrate and visually communicate. Graphic designers work in the entertainment sector, advertisement, digital media, and print media. As technology and the demand for visual communication increase, so does the importance of a graphic designer. With time, these professionals must polish and update their skills and methods too. But to enter this high-demand industry, you must first know the education route. Then we can go ahead and learn about a promising career path for a graphic designer.

START FROM SCHOOL

Like every other learning process, your journey to becoming a successful graphic designer can also start from school. For this purpose, take as many paints, arts, design, and computer classes as offered at your institute. Prepare credit points for your college degree if you choose to pursue a bachelor’s in graphic designing.

GET A DEGREE

While a degree is not particularly necessary to have a career in this field, it can increase your employment chances. A bachelor’s or master’s degree will give you expertise in computer software, designs, and illustration methods. A simple bachelor’s degree can get you to work in almost all relative graphic designing fields. There are still specific degrees for this career, such as Graphic communication for a creative art designer career, visual effects, and motion graphics. Recently, students are inclining towards animation and digital graphics more considering the motion graphics career prospects. These branching fields of graphic designing help you specialize in certain aspects of the area too.

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GAIN EXPERIENCE AND BUILD A PORTFOLIO

Your portfolio reflects your understanding of the art of graphics designing and your expertise in the field. Your projects, internships, and courses during the bachelor’s degree may help you create an impressive portfolio.

Taking on internships is the easiest way to make an impressive portfolio and resume. Your apprenticeship will allow you to work in a professional setting and acquire vast experience from professionals. It is also a great way to make professional relationships in the industry.

If an internship is not in your interest, you can opt to do mock designs, ads, logos, and projects. Remember to contextualize your design. Contextualization will include your inspiration behind the project, the process, and the results. You can also gain experience by freelancing for clients and companies. Include your success with clients in your portfolio to make it more impressive.

START YOUR CAREER

Now, this step is scary and very tiring. The first step is never easy, and you will have to struggle to make solid ground in the market. But in the end, the fruit you will reap is worth all the struggle. The roadmap to having a successful career as a graphic designer is:

  • JUNIOR DESIGNER

The first step is the hardest and the smallest. You will have to start as a junior designer for a marketing agency or a creative agency. You can also become part of an in-house graphic designing team at a renowned agency. That roadmap will open opportunities for you to move forward and become a midweight designer, senior designer, and so on. It is promising in terms that the professional environment will allow you to polish your skills. You will gain expertise and utilize leadership abilities eventually.

  • FREELANCING ROUTE

Some people choose the freelancing route for their graphic design career. They have the liberty to take on as many clients and work for as many companies as they want. Many professionals with a couple of years of job experience choose this route. It allows the flexibility of work and contract. You will experience diversity in clients, which will allow your skills to polish in a much better way.

Suppose you have the necessary funds to get you through the bumpy start of a freelancing career. In that case, it is also the right choice after graduation. Once you gain recognition in the market and positive reviews, the road will only lead upwards.

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CONSIDER SPECIALIZATION

No matter if you choose a job or opt towards freelancing, specialization is essential. You will recognize that the most successful people in the industry have specialized in their field. While being the jack of all trades is beneficial. Specialization can lead you to success. It will narrow down your path to a definitive road to stability. You can also gain recognition in your field due to your specialization.

You can gain job specialization by sticking to one field of your work. Update your resume more often by getting certificates and courses in that area. Choose to work in that specific field and gain experience. You can also use it to advance that field.

CONCLUSION 

Graphics designing is a fascinating field of work. The world is your inspiration, and you will have the liberty to express your creativity. With the advancements in technology and the ocean of information around us, graphics have become the leading communication method. So there are only predictions of progress in the field. So if you choose graphics designing, you will indeed have a fulfilling career. This field is more about expressing yourself and your message to the world.

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