STEPS TO BECOMING A GRAPHIC DESIGNER
1START BUILDING YOUR SKILLS IN HIGH SCHOOL
It never hurts to
start early in any field, but it is particularly important when it comes to
graphic design. While in high school, students should take classes in art
history, drawing, graphic arts and website design. They can put their emerging
skills to use designing and producing the school newspaper or yearbook. Graphic
design requires a good eye and a creative mind, but also tantamount are the
development of solid practical skills and software fluency. The sooner the
student begins preparations, the better.
2EARN A DEGREE IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
There was a time when
a graphic designer could get hired strictly on their creative portfolio. Today,
however, most employers are looking for designers with a more complete and
well-rounded education – the kind only a college degree can provide. A certificate
in the field, or an associate’s degree, may be sufficient in some cases, but
the U.S. Department of Labor reports that fledgling designers are much more
likely to land a quality job only after earning a bachelor’s degree.
There are currently approximately 300
post-secondary institutions in the U.S. that offer degree programs accredited
by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. School options run
the gamut from large public universities, to small private colleges, to
prestigious art institutes. There are also a growing number of online programs
available. Coursework covers a wide range of subjects, such as studio art,
principles of design, commercial graphics, web design, and advertising and
graphics-related computer technology. Classes in marketing and business may be
part of the curriculum as well, since designers must be able to compile and
submit professional
job proposals, and effectively sell themselves to potential clients.
Regardless of the specific degree they choose,
graphic design students should look for an accredited program from a reputable
school.
3COMPLETE INTERNSHIPS
Not all college
programs in graphic design require internships, but those that do offer
students an exceptional opportunity to gain practical experience, to form professional
relationships in the design community, and complete work suitable for
presentation in their portfolio
or design “book”.
4CREATE A COMPELLING PORTFOLIO
While a solid resume is an important aspect of
any job search, the biggest asset to someone looking for a job in graphic
design is an impressive portfolio. Though graphic designers will need a resume,
the only way for a prospective employer to understand an applicant’s abilities
is through a portfolio demonstrating a range of work and growth as a designer.
There was a time when a graphic design
portfolio was a simple collection of a designer’s best newspaper and magazine
advertisements. Professional portfolios today are much more sophisticated,
consisting not only of print ads, but also including online advertisements,
website graphics, and even a television commercial reel and animation demo. It
is not uncommon for job seekers today to carry fully digital versions of their
portfolio on CD or DVD with them to interviews – along with the more traditional
paper version – and many designers also maintain their own up-to-date design
portfolio websites.
For students just
starting out, presenting a large and varied portfolio is difficult given the
limited amount of completed work they’ll have done. In that case, they should
focus on quality instead of quantity, presenting only their best
design samples, and a portfolio arranged to meet a prospective employer’s
specific needs.
5STAY CURRENT
Graphic design is a
constantly changing and developing field. Designers must keep up with the
commercial and artistic trends in the industry – or they may find themselves
quickly left behind. They must also remain current on new and updated computer
graphics and design software programs, which are in a near constant state of
evolution. This is particularly true for designers working as freelancers, and
for those interested in advancing to higher positions within their companies.
Organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic
Arts or the Graphic Artists Guild provide members with educational updates
on new technology, software or methodology. Completing certification programs
in vendor-specific design software can also help build credentials.
6RETURN TO SCHOOL
Graphic designers may choose to advance their
skills, creativity and deep knowledge of the field by adding a graduate degree
or post-secondary certificate. There are master’s degree programs created
specifically for designers wishing to advance in theoretical studies (MA)
or concentrate their work on a studio degree (MFA).
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