Sometimes the hardest thing is to just start when it comes to a new career. This is no different than becoming a graphic designer. There are more and more people joining the design industry year over year. This not only means that the industry is becoming more and more full but also is becoming more competitive. This is going to be no different in 2018. Here are some great tips on how to start as a graphic designer in 2018 and standout.
There are a couple of ways that this topic can be taken so we are going to break it into two schools of thought. How to start as a graphic designer in 2018 if you are in school and how to start as a graphic designer in 2018 if you have not gone to design school. There are many ways you can start but you will be going on an upward battle and will have to put in twice as much work.
How to Start as a Graphic Designer in 2018: Design School
If you are in high school and are looking to get into the graphic design industry going to school is one of the best options for you to start in the graphic design industry. You will learn more about the design industry and about the tools of the trades. Also if you are just coming out of or leaving high school also this is a great option for you if you can get scholarships and grants since college is not cheap at all. If you can get enough scholarships or grants for your college you can then make sure that you have enough to either pay completely for your time at college or at least help with your time at college.
Going to school is also a good option for someone who does not have the knowledge of the software and the entire industry. This is the option I took learning about graphic design. This is going to be a more expensive option but you can learn so much more than you can from YouTube videos. Yes you can learn a lot of tutorials and how to use the software from YouTube, but there are more than just software that you need to learn to be a great graphic designers.
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How to Start as a Graphic Designer in 2018: Teach Yourself
Like I said this is an option for anyone who does not need to learn more about the design industry or how to use the software. You can just start as a graphic designer in 2018. It will be a lot harder since most agencies or places that hire in house designers require you to have some degree. There are always exceptions to the rules and eome designers have gotten into these jobs without them. But it is a lot harder and your portfolio is going to need to one of the best in the business to make sure you get in the door.
How to Start as a Graphic Designer in 2018: Portfolio Pieces
The best sales tool any graphic designer hs is their portfolio. This is the thing that every designer will show their clients and potential clients. One thing to do to start as a graphic designer is to practice with portfolio pieces. These pieces should have a full scope to back them up and be as real as a real project you can make them. Try something that is outside of your comfort zone but still in your zone of work. Also if have a friend or family member act like the client and give you feedback on as if they where the client. This will help you understand what is needed to do actual client work and start to build your portfolio. If a client asks about the projects be honest and tell them that it was something that was a project for you for your portfolio, clients are actually understanding when it comes to things like that.
How to Start as a Graphic Designer in 2018: Work for Free
Now this is something that I would not recommend to designers who are established and have a client base. But it is something that I would recommend someone who wants to start as a graphic designer in 2018. If you are starting off you probably have friends or family that has a business and every business needs your services. So why not do work for them free. This will give you a chance to get your foot in the door and start to build your portfolio. Also family or friends are willing to take a chance on you sooner than a stranger who has no reason to work with you yet.
How to Start as a Graphic Designer in 2018: Just Start
One thing a lot of people have issues with today is just starting. People just want to go through the motions of starting something and never actually finishing. How can you know if you will be good at something if you never even try. So instead of thinking of trying graphic design or just wanting to become a graphic designer just start and try working for family or friends and see if it is something that you actually are good at.
