Nothing prepares you for the industry like a well-designed, comprehensive graphic design course. And a good one teaches you the basics of the software, the principles of design, and the soft skills you need to navigate your career.
But there are a few things you should know about a career in graphic design before taking a course. Buckle up; we distill it down for you in this blog.
#1 Building Your Skillset Takes Time
Just go to Google and type ‘graphic design course’, and you will have a range of online and offline courses to choose from. Some graphic design courses can last up to two years, while some require only a few months. No matter the length of your course, the speed at which you develop your skills will be slower. Don’t fret; this is every graphic designer’s learning curve.
You will get better as you take up more projects, practice, and work sincerely. Your work will improve noticeably as you become more familiar with the industry trends, the creative process, and how to leverage the graphic design software to your advantage. So have patience, and don’t give up. After all, building your skill set in any creative field takes time!
#2 Staying on Top of Industry Trends is a Must
Whether you want to work for an agency or go the freelance route, you must know the industry trends. This will enable you to meet clients’ demands and win them over. Bonus points if you know your client’s industry trends as well! This will make negotiations and communication a whole lot easier.
Not just that. Knowing the trends in the niche you work for will help you spot opportunities and help you make better proposals and deliveries. Not to mention, this will help you stand head over shoulders above the crowd.
#3 Your Client’s Needs Come First
When working for a client, there will be times when you won’t be able to exercise your creative freedom. Sure, you will be responsible for completing the project. But the project goals will be set by the client. While this will restrict your creative flair, you must comply with your client’s wishes to the best of your abilities.
#4 Learn to Ask The Right Questions
Asking questions doesn’t stop in the classroom! Who knew! As a graphic designer, you will also ask your clients questions. The difference? This time around, you’ll be clarifying client briefs and understanding their expectations to deliver a better project. So, the earlier you get comfortable asking pointed questions directly, the better.
In Conclusion
Graphic design is an extremely rewarding career path if you have artistic talents and a passion for learning. So, if you’ve chosen to become a graphic designer, keep these four things in mind before you take the leap.
Ready to fast-track your learning and develop in-demand industry-relevant skills? Check out PearlXStudio’s Advertising and Graphic Design course today!