3 Steps To Help You Become A Graphic Designer

Do you want to become a graphic designer? Are you wondering where to get started? Well, here are 3 steps to help you get started as a graphic designer.

1. Learn The Fundamentals

You don’t need to have formal education to become a graphic designer. However, you need to have a proper understanding of the fundamentals. As such, you need to understand the principles of design. Additionally, you need to learn how to use elements effectively such as hierarchy, color, balance, contrast, and proportion.

Note that, there are numerous free graphic design courses that you can use to improve your knowledge base. Try out a few different courses and always refer back to them whenever possible. Are you interested in a particular graphic design niche such as brand identity design, website design, and social media marketing? Well, you can always find the right resources to aid you in your specific niche. Besides learning the basics, you need to start practicing by developing your visual eye for design.

Take time to go through Dribble every day and learn the latest design trends. Additionally, you will receive exposure to various design styles that will keep you on your toes. You will also get a lot of visual inspiration and new ideas for your own projects. One type of project that you can start working on is designing corporate identity design.

2. Invest In The Right Tools

If you are planning to become a graphic designer, you need to identify the right graphic design software to create your work. If you are a beginner in the graphic design world, you can always download free graphic design software applications before investing in other robust tools. Some of the free graphic design tools you can use include CorelDraw, Vecteezy, and Inkscape are great places to start.

Once you are ready, you can take your technical skills to the next level. It’s time to invest in mastering industry stalwarts such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. They are the most common tools in the industry and are quite powerful. Another great tool to consider is Bonsai. Remember, as a graphic designer, you will work as a freelancer. This tool is perfect for you when it comes to managing projects and contracts for clients, creating proposals, organizing your taxes, and sending invoices.

Learning this tool as you begin your graphic design career will come in handy down the road. Yes, you may feel quite intimidated at first when using new software but you should not be discouraged. There are so many online resources you can use to master various design tools. Take your time to Google and find the best and top-notch quality materials.

3. Build A Body Of Work

You will not become a professional graphic designer if you haven’t built a persuasive portfolio. Remember, employers and clients will always ask for work samples before they choose to hire you. Of course, you may be wondering how you can create a portfolio without any real experience. Well, there are a lot of options open to you. Whether you are creating your own projects or offering your services to friends and family, you need to put your skills into practice and refine your process.

If you have a hard time coming up with ideas, you can check something that already exists and put a spin on it. You can always redesign a logo, or website or create new marketing materials for a brand you think may need help. Additionally, you need to be strategic and create a portfolio that reflects the jobs you want to take on in the future. Remember, you may not create a masterpiece at first but you should not be discouraged. Some of the designers today started the same way.