If you want to start a graphic designer career, you'll have to evaluate your experience and education to see if you are prepared. These simple steps can get your graphic design career going.
Graphic Design Education
While you don't necessarily have to have a college degree for a successful graphic design career, it helps to have a degree. You can get either a two-year or a four-year degree in graphic design from a college, but you should know the best jobs typically go to graphic designers with a four-year degree who have knowledge of Web page design and familiarity with several software programs. While it's not unheard of for a graphic designer to be self-taught, it's usually a good idea to get a degree before launching into this career.
Graphic Design Experience
If you've been volunteering your services to build a portfolio of work samples, you are on the right track. Look for opportunities to try your skills out on real-life projects, and keep a record on these projects. Internships are perfect for building experience.
Build A Portfolio
Once you feel you've got enough education under your belt, you should build a graphic design portfolio. You can build your portfolio through internships or volunteer situations. Perhaps you've designed the neighborhood newsletter for the past year. Put a sample of the page layout in your portfolio. Maybe you designed your sister's wedding invitations and your dad's small business marketing brochures. Place these items in your portfolio, along with samples from classes and samples you've created to demonstrate your ability. Have a copy of your portfolio available online and in hard copy, showcasing your ability to work in both mediums.
Write Your Resume
Take the time to make your resume shine. Remember: You are a graphic designer. Make your resume stand out to showcase your creative ability. Your resume should display your style.
Decide What Kind Of Position You Want
Do you want to freelance from home? Work for contract in a corporate setting? Travel the world? Work in a company? Do you want to work alone, or do you want to direct a whole art department someday? What kind of medium do you prefer? Do you want to design Web pages, animate video games or establish brands of companies and products? As you start applying for jobs, volunteer your services for similar situations so you can display actual work you've done in your desired field.
Starting Expectations
The average salary for an entry-level graphic designer is $35,000 a year. If you decide freelance graphic design appeals to you, you can expect to net a little less since you'll have to offset overhead costs and pay for your own insurance and self-employment tax. As a new graphic design artist, expect to work hard to establish yourself, but keep in mind that time spent now leads to more pieces in your growing portfolio and fodder for better positions in the future.
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