How to Become a Graphic Designer Without Attending Art School
Learning graphic design is no easy feat. Despite the abundance of technology available to the consumer, an investment of time and energy is necessary to learn the trade, realizing the computer is just a tool for making design happen. The price of art school tuition, where you will study with some of the top designers and engage countless projects through which you’ll learn to design, is nothing to sneeze at. If you decide to go it your own, which can be done, you can use this as a guide to help you.
- Start conducting your own research. Collect objects, advertisements, and product designs you like. Find out which designers whose work you admire and read up on them. Develop an image library, both on your computer and/or in hard copy.
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Step 2
Assemble your tools. Create a workstation with your computer and peripherals. This should be a place you enjoy being so make it comfortable and aesthetically pleaseing; you will be here a lot.
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Step 3
STUDY TYPOGRAPHY. This is so important, and one of the aspects of a good art school that many other programs, and self-taught designers, struggle to replicate. Purchase at least three comprehensive books about typography and read them cover to cover.
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Step 4
Being making your own projects. In other words, design everything that you can. Give yourself assignments (e.g., “design a vegetarian cookbook”). If friends or family have potential design projects, step in and volunteer to do them. Maintain organized electronic and hard copy files; you will need your work for your portfolio.
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Step 5
Show your work to everyone you can. Get as much feedback as you can. The feedback does NOT have to be from designers. In fact, many people who aren’t designers will be able to give you objective feedback, which is key after you’ve been staring at your work for awhile.
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Step 6
Create a print portfolio to show prospective employers. Include your resume. DESIGN YOUR RESUME.
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Step 7
Purchase a domain name and webspace. Create a simple website where you can showcase your projects. You can an electronic version of your print portfolio for those employers you tend to contact remotely. Make sure to include your resume, and DON’T FORGET TO DESIGN IT.
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Step 8
Perhaps you find someone local whose work you admire; contact this person or firm and ask if they need interns or designers at their studio. If you’re not confident enough in your abilities yet, inquire about job-shadowing or set up an informational interview. You may be surprised at who you can make a connection with.
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Step 9
Get involved with local design groups on Meetup.com and/or attend events at of your local AIGA. Make connections with other designers.
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Take your studies seriously as you have a goal in mind. Don’t forget to have a lot of fun with it. If you’re not enjoying it, then this is probably not the right profession for you. Ask yourself if you really want to invest your energy and time into a field that isn’t among your passions.
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Be patient learning the software applications. Take advantage of classes offered by your local community college, but realize that the content of these classes is the tip of the iceberg.
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Don’t focus on what you don’t like about a certain part of a tool or process. Move on quickly to the next thing. If it’s not happening it wasn’t meant to be.
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Establish tech support for your computer and peripherals. Maybe it’s Apple tech support as you own a Mac, or maybe your friend is a computer guru and can give you some pointers if things go haywire on your machine.
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Learn to love technology. It’s not going away anytime soon. Be patient and become skilled at using the tools.
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Do not sit in front of the computer all day hoping for inspiration to strike. This rarely if ever occurs.