It’s going to take time, but that time is definitely worth it.
One day, I just sat there and decided that I wanted to become a graphic designer. There was no rhyme or reason or anything specific, but I’m the type of person that loves to learn all the time. If I’m not learning a new skill within a month of learning a different skill, then something is terribly wrong. I will learn as many programs and softwares as possible and I still try to learn more.
Perhaps it’s a bit crazy, but there is wisdom in my madness!
Although it may seem intimidating to have to learn all the skills it requires to become a graphic designer, I’ll break it down for you step-by-step so that you too can fulfill your dreams and become a graphic designer!
For context, I work at Lollipop Design Corner. If you want to check out some of my work, I’ll link both the company and my Behance profile for you to see what type of stuff you can start making after becoming a designer!
You Need to Learn the Theory First
I know, I know, who cares about theory, right? I’ve never been one to enjoy learning about theory. I personally don’t care. However, with graphic design, you actually need to learn about all the theory that comes with it.
By theory, I mean the concepts. Things like color theory, typography, what branding is, etc… All of this stuff can easily be learned through YouTube if you want to get started right away. I know that it may sound boring, but you’ll find that it’s some really cool stuff you may have never noticed before.
Here are some places to get you started:
Take a Course
Yes, you do have to pay for some courses out there. But I’m being 100% serious when I say that paid courses are worth the money and you should not skip out on taking at least one of these. For the initial investment you’re making, you’re gaining A LOT of information that you don’t really see on YouTube.
You see, a lot of YouTubers themselves are trying to sell you their course by giving you tidbits of what you could learn. For this reason, you’re going to be missing out on a lot of important tips, tricks, details, and tools that you could have been gaining from a course.
I personally took courses on Udemy, which is a great platform to learn on. There are lots of courses that can help you with graphic design and specific tools in the realm of graphic design. There’s also SkillShare, which is another popular platform.
I’ve linked below some stuff from both Udemy and SkillShare to help you get started on finding the course that’s right for you!
Get the Right Tools
Adobe, Affinity, Canva…there are a good amount of tools out there to help you out with becoming a graphic designer. When I started, I learned through Canva, which you can read my review on Canva Pro in one of my recent articles.
However, if you want to work in the industry, you will need Canva. But you’ll also need experience with a suite like Adobe or Affinity Designer. Adobe is by far the most popular one. With programs like Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesgin, and more, you’ll definitely get the necessary tools needed for graphic design in this suite.
Affinity Designer is similar, but it doesn’t provide some of the extra programs that Adobe may have.
Work on a Portfolio
A portfolio is extremely important for any graphic designer. If you’re not working on a portfolio and you’re not showcasing your work, then you’re missing out on reaching potential clients. If you’re not planning on staying a freelancer or you want to work in a bigger company, you seriously need a portfolio.
Your portfolio can either be print or it can be digital. I personally think a digital portfolio is the best way to go in 2022, but it’s entirely up to you. There are many platforms you can use to create a portfolio. For one, you can start a website and showcase your work there. Or, you can use Behance, but that’s not really a portfolio, so-to-speak. However, you can use Adobe Portfolio, which is free if you use Creative Cloud. It’s a great platform to showcase your works on and its interface is really simple to learn.
Be Active on Social Media
You really just have to be. I know that for some people, they just can’t stand the thought of using social media, but you have to if you want to be successful with graphic design. Nowadays, everyone and their grandmother (literally) are on social media. Using social media is very advantageous to your design work, as you can reach out to many people who use the same platforms and are constantly scrolling to see new content.
Related: I use an iPad for more than just aesthetics
You can post your graphic design work on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc… and you can join graphic design groups on Facebook and reach out to potential clients or partners there as well. Pinterest is also invaluable and very good for graphic designers.
But remember, if you’re not active on social media, it’ll be a problem for your potential growth.
What Laptop do I use for work?
I just thought I’d throw this in there, because I see that there are lots of graphic designers who use Macbooks or iMacs. I personally don’t use a Macbook or iMac. When I was shopping for a laptop, my first priority at the time was being able to run video games on it. You see, if the device can run some of the highest levels of graphics in video games, then you bet that it’ll run graphic design software like a charm. Just note that you really don’t need a Macbook or iMac to do graphic design work if that’s not your preferred brand of computers. In fact, it’s not a necessity at all.
So, here’s the laptop that I use. I’ve linked it below in case you’re interested:
- MSI GS66 Stealth on Amazon.com
- Similar options at Best Buy (on sale right now)
- Similar option at Lenovo (student discount right now)
Check out my YouTube video where I show my desk setup.