Graphic designers can learn many things about design while working as apprentices and in entry-level jobs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for graphic designers will grow by 3% through 2030. The field has over 250,000 professionals, and this will only continue to increase over the years. Graphic designers do a lot of different things, and there are several ways to make yourself stand out. We will discuss below some of the ways you can stand out to potential employers.
Build a Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of examples of your work, and it’s what you’ll show to potential employers. It can be a physical portfolio, or it can be an online portfolio. Your portfolio should include examples of your best work, and it should also include samples of your work in different mediums.
The process to build a graphic design portfolio may seem daunting at first, but there are some steps that you can take to make the process easier. The first step is determining what you want to show in your portfolio – do you want to showcase your design skills or do you want to share more about who you are as a designer? Or maybe you want to have a combination of both. The second step is to actually create an online portfolio. You can do this by simply creating a powerpoint presentation or you can build a website that features your work. Finally, the third step is choosing what mediums you want to include to best represent your skillset.
Improve Your Graphic Design Editing Skills
According to the book How to be a Graphic Designer, Without Losing Your Soul, this line of work requires advanced editing skills with different types of software. The most popular software, such as Adobe Photoshop, lets you edit artwork with different textures, pens, brushes, and filters. Adobe InDesign is a layout program that’s commonly used in publishing books, magazines, flyers, and brochures. Since most software is constantly updated, you should stay up to date by learning how to use the latest plug-ins and current versions of design software. Many of these software updates are free, so you won’t need to spend much money to be an apprentice or get a new job.
Take Online Graphic Design Courses
You should also consider taking online graphic design courses to help you learn any new software programs or to help improve your skills. You can find free online courses or low-cost online courses. Companies such as Udemy, Udacity, Coursera, and even Linkedin all offer courses that can help improve your graphic designer editing skills.
Udemy offers courses some of the following courses, all ranging between $100-$200:
- The Graphic Design Bootcamp teaches you how to use programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and inDesign.
- Ultimate Adobe Photoshop Training teaches you everything you need to know about the program. The program teaches you everything about Photoshop from the basics to advanced concepts.
- Illustrator 2021 Masterclass is an in-depth training program that caters to any learner whether you’re just starting or have years of experience using Illustrator.
Coursera offers courses such as Interactive Computer Graphics, Introduction to Typography, and Infographics Design. Coursera offers many online graphic design courses for free. Or you can enroll in any of them for as little as $29. When you purchase a course, you will earn a certificate that you can add to your resume and Linkedin profile.
Additionally, there are many graphic design job training programs that can help you become qualified. This is especially the case if you’re looking to change careers at any point in your professional life.
Contact the University Career Office
Many universities match alumni to apprenticeships and jobs in the area. If you’re a member of the alumni organization, check your school’s career office for possible apprenticeships or to get help with your resume. For example, the University of the Arts provides information on a design apprenticeship that focuses on creating visual graphics with Photoshop and Illustrator. This university also lists opportunities on a separate career website.
Focus On Your Writing Skills
It may seem unusual, but graphic designers need to have solid writing skills and knowledge of fonts. The message you’re trying to convey in the text of a project will influence the fonts you use. It can also influence your word choice. Some fonts, such as Sans without the Seriff, are better for computer screens and phones. This is because they are easier to read on the digital medium.
Once you land your first job as a graphic designer, your writing skills can help you move up the ladder in the design or art department. Make sure you understand the editorial guidelines at your workplace. Create a set of guidelines if there is no official guide so that all documents look consistent.
Get Certified
Try working on websites. The WOW Web Professionals, an organization for experienced graphic designers, has created a certification for people who want to be apprentices in the field of web graphics. You can take the exam to be a Certified Web Designer Apprentice. The majority of the certification exam covers graphic design skills. You will use many of the same basic editing skills in web design as you would in other projects, but you must be able to apply these skills to managing and designing websites.
Conclusion
To find a job as a graphic designer, you’ll need to have a portfolio of your work and be able to show employers that you have the skills they’re looking for. In addition to your work portfolio, you’ll be able to highlight your skills in your resume, cover letter (if required), and during your graphic design interviews.
We hope these tips will help you in your job search and help you land a great graphic design job!
