With a high level of motivation and interest in the profession everyone can master it. But for some the path will be shorter and easier, and someone will have to work a little longer to develop their personal and professional qualities. To succeed in graphic design you need to have:
- communication skills;
- empathy and the ability to understand the needs, feelings, thoughts of other people: colleagues, customers, the target audience of the product;
- curiosity and thirst for new information;
- ability to perceive critics adequately;
- ability to think logically;
- observation;
- responsibility.
What skills do I need to get started in the profession?
We recommend starting your studies with the following disciplines:
The basics of design: composition, coloring, typography, layout, and illustration.
Learning basic graphic editors, usually Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign.
Beginner designers can’t do without the basics of marketing, because in most cases they have to deal with the development of brand identity and promotional materials.
Do you have to be able to draw? Not necessarily, because today’s abundance of references seriously simplifies a designer’s life. To start in the profession it is enough to learn quick sketches by hand. And further, if there is a desire, you can already improve in drawing.
Do I have to go to college to become a graphic designer?
There are no official professional standards for graphic designers. This is why you can find jobs or freelance clients with any education. For potential employers, your skills, professional and personal qualities are much more important than your diploma. When applying for a job, you are almost always required to complete a test task or an interview with your supervisor – it is their results that decide whether to hire you or not.
Of course, if you are in school and are just choosing a profession, it is worth to go to college for graphic design and study 4-6 years. If you already have a degree in another area, but you want to seriously pursue design, there is no time to lose. It is quicker and more convenient to become a graphic designer in 3 to 12 months on online retraining courses.