What is a Graphic Designer?

A.K.A visual designer, graphic artist, creative designer, digital artist, multimedia artist, illustrator and even art director; these are all other various names that can be given to a graphic designer.

A graphic designer is a creative professional who uses visual design elements such as typography, images, and colours to create visual representations of ideas and messages. They work with clients or teams to design everything from logos and advertisements to websites and product packaging. Graphic design is a popular field that requires creativity, technical skills and the ability to effectively communicate ideas through visuals. Becoming a graphic designer requires a combination of education and experience, as well as a deep understanding of the industry and the company's needs. Let's explore the steps one can take to become a graphic designer and the qualities they need to possess in order to be successful.

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Preparation

> Necessary skills

Graphic designers need a variety of skills to be successful. These skills include knowledge of design principles, typography, colour theory and photo manipulation. Some assume illustration and the ability to drawing (which is a plus) but that tends to sit with illustrators and artists. Graphic designers need to have strong communication and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work within deadlines and stay on budget. Adobe Creative Suite is your best friend and is the bread and butter most to all creatives use. There are one or two other design software like Cinema 4D and Figma that can help you along your way.

> Education

Graphic designers usually need a Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, art, or a related field but some have made it into the industry without. Some may also need additional technical training or certification which tends to be less expensive compared to a degree. There you will get a taster of what it can be like working in the creative industry through working with other creatives, having an opportunity of working on LIVE briefs, gaining feedback on work, exposure to typography, digital imaging, drawing, illustration, web design and motion graphics. Some recommend it as a worthwhile experience where you can gain so much. Talking about experience...

> Experience

Gaining experience as a graphic designer can be done through a variety of avenues. Volunteering for local non-profit organizations or agencies is a great way to gain experience and build a portfolio and real-life understanding on how it all works. Internships with design firms or advertising agencies are also beneficial. Freelance work if you're confident to go in it alone, there are great websites like Upwork and freelancer that can get you started. Participating in design competitions, and attending workshops or classes can all be helpful in gaining experience in graphic design too.

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Building a Portfolio

> Examples of Graphic Design Work

Seems like long gone are the days oof printed A2 heavy portfolios designers carried around with them to interviews and meetings. With most things having gone digital now giving us more opportunities to showcase more, share in masses and instantaneously, it's no wonder this is the most favoured way to showcase work. Some designers tend to have their own unique way of designing and presenting their work; one size does not need to fit all in the industry. However, it is important to understand the audience you want to showcase your work to and structure accordingly. Here are some examples of Graphic Design work done by some well known designers just to name a few:

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> Gaining Exposure

One way to gain design exposure and to direct people to your portfolio website can be done through various ways such as social media accounts to showcase your work, participating in design competitions or create a blog or tutorial videos to demonstrate your expertise. With society back to having in-person events, networking and attending industry events are great ways to build relationships and gain exposure for your design work.

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> Tips for Showcasing Your Work

Here are some tips for showcasing your graphic design work:

  1. Choose the right platform to showcase your work. Behance, drbble and Pinterest are good ones.
  2. Use various visuals such as motion, UIA and mockups to showcase your work.
  3. Write compelling descriptions for each piece of work to show your thinking.
  4. Group projects into categories or collections to make them easier to differentiate.
  5. Use keywords to help people find your work.
  6. Make sure your portfolio is easy to navigate.
  7. Be consistent with the look and feel of your portfolio in accordance to your personal brand.
  8. Consider using video to share your work.

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Finding Work

There are several ways to find work as a graphic designer. Once your digital portfolio is ready, it would be a great time to reach out to potential clients or companies directly, join a design platform or freelancing site, attend industry events or networking meetups, and even create a blog or tutorial videos to demonstrate your skills. Additionally, you can also look for job postings on various job boards or websites to find freelance or full-time work.

Good job portal sites:

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Good freelance sites:

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Now the question is...

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Are you ready?

Now you know the steps you can take to become a graphic designer and the qualities you need to possess in order to be successful. A strong understanding of the industry and the company's needs, having a deep knowledge of the latest trends and technologies, as well as the ability to think strategically and put all of this into visually appealing designs is essential. It will only helps you to stay ahead of the competition and come up with innovative solutions to problems.

Having a background education in it helps but experience can get you far. The world can benefit from great creative minds, there is nothing stopping you from being one of them.

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