Trying to become a graphic designer. Could use some advice

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DreadBelch

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Mar 31, 2010
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Trying to make the switch from freelance writing to graphic design. I understand the notion of building an online portfolio, but how did you pros get to the point of actually being able to create professional designs? Did you teach yourself or did you get a degree or what? How did you attract your first clients? Any advice is appreciated.
 

kranky

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Oct 9, 1999
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I have a good friend who just got a 4-year degree in graphic design. He is unbelievably talented - besides design, he can do art, video, you name it. Won more then half the competitions at his school over the 4 years. Got an internship with the top design firm in the city. But they won't hire him as they don't need any more people. He gets a freelance gig here and there but can't make a living at it.

It's a very very tough business.
 

fuzzybabybunny

Moderator<br>Digital & Video Cameras
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Isn't graphic design one of those majors on the top ten list of majors that's hardest to find a job in?
 

mmntech

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Sep 20, 2007
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As someone who works in the media business, don't get into the media business or any derivatives of the media business.
 

fuzzybabybunny

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Can't be much worse than freelance writing. It's far and away the most popular writing field.

Oooo... that. Is. True.

Well, as someone who hires creatives for my business and as a creative myself (sort of), my advice is like the ones already given in this thread:

1. I don't care where you went to school.

2. I want to see your portfolio and it must be filled with impressive things. I don't care how you learned it. As a creative I agree that you can learn all this on your own, but sometimes I wish I learned things in a more structured, classical way. Would have eliminated a lot of time doing trial and error and figuring things out on my own. Sometimes I just want someone to tell me how it's done, and I'm confident in my talent to be able to easily understand and repeat it.

3. Price yourself at a level that people can afford. Be prepared to do a lot of free work in the beginning to build up a portfolio and to hone your skills.

4. Take an entrepreneurship course so you understand how business works. At the end of the day, as a business owner I will be hiring creatives for a business purpose, and it is great to have people on board who can share my understanding. As a creative, knowing the business side of things, especially selling, marketing, and how you can contribute to a client's bottom line, is critical to getting clients and getting paid. You make money for your clients and you'll get paid. Simple as that. The more money you can make for a client, the higher chance they will pay you more and see you as valuable to the team. To do this you must have an understanding of and respect for business.
 

Destiny

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Jul 6, 2010
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I had a friend that worked his way from free lancing... and now he does all the Movie art, DVD box art, movie postors, etc for Disney, Sony, Spiderman movies and Marvel movies... in the beginning he did things for my company for cheap - now he charges thousands of dollars! :colbert:

And he didn't go to any graphic desgin school... its all about your portfolio and if you have an artistic mind to make things engaging and pop... it doesn't matter if you are really great in graphic design - but if your product does not deliver or produce the results your client is looking for = no one would hire you.
 
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mikegg

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Jan 30, 2010
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I have a good friend who just got a 4-year degree in graphic design. He is unbelievably talented - besides design, he can do art, video, you name it. Won more then half the competitions at his school over the 4 years. Got an internship with the top design firm in the city. But they won't hire him as they don't need any more people. He gets a freelance gig here and there but can't make a living at it.

It's a very very tough business.

Can you introduce me to your friend? Does he do web design?
 

mikegg

Golden Member
Jan 30, 2010
1,835
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Trying to make the switch from freelance writing to graphic design. I understand the notion of building an online portfolio, but how did you pros get to the point of actually being able to create professional designs? Did you teach yourself or did you get a degree or what? How did you attract your first clients? Any advice is appreciated.

Advice: Study web design and app design. They go hand in hand. Those designers make a ton where I live.
 
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