BEFORE Becoming a Graphic Designer!
By: Roshni Jain
Tags: Before And After, Tips And Tricks, Tips, Before, Important

What I Wish Someone Told Me!

Before you dive into a graphic design career, you should at least be aware of the following:

· Boring work is part of the gig

Creativity-centric careers give professionals the chance to exercise their artistic abilities for a day job, but that doesn’t mean you get to make what you want all the time.

“You aren’t always going to work on projects that are exciting and fun, but [less exciting work] is a huge part of the job that some find surprising at first.” When clients, customers or your own company give you a project — your priority is usually their goals before your own. Ideally, the two come together often.

· Be big on collaboration

It’s easy to feel possessive about your designs or your ideas; but when you are working as a graphic designer, collaborating with others is a huge part of the job.

No designer is right for every project

Clashing in these matters right off the bat can build up to a series of frustrating exchanges. While you may not always have the choices you’d like, trying to communicate big picture concepts right at the start with clients might help you decide whether you want to take on the project.

“It’s better for everyone — and a lot more enjoyable — when you and the client are on the same wavelength.”

· Expectations aren’t always realistic

You know how long a project is likely to take — all the steps between conception and execution. You know how design choices are likely to play out in a finished product and what the aesthetic impact will be. Your client, boss or customer does not necessarily know these things.

· Data analytics impacts designers too

Increased interest in using data analytics to make more informed choices seems to be a trend across hundreds of careers — and the same is true for design.

A course, an online module, anything you can do to add a little data analytics understanding to your repertoire could be very helpful in your job hunt and your design career.

· To always get a deposit first when freelancing

Graphic design is notorious for clients expecting to get work for free. There’s nothing wrong with an arrangement where your expectations and the client’s expectations are clear from the get-go, even if it’s an unpaid one. But don’t allow contract ambiguity to rob you of your work and time.

· You have lots of career options

Becoming a graphic designer isn’t a one-way street for the rest of your career. It’s a versatile skill and education base that offers opportunity in many different roles. “There are so many avenues within graphic design,” says Casey Mathison, brand experience manager at Marr Media Group. “A graphic designer can mean illustrator, animator, layout artist, website designer, UX designer, etc. It really is a multifaceted career!”

· You never stop learning

Whether you get a graphic design degree or teach yourself graphic design, the initial education is really only the beginning.

Besides, the more you learn, the more versatile and valuable your work will be. There are several potential opportunities out there for employees with experience in more than one area. You never know where a little extra know-how can take you.