Prepare to have clients shred your most valued works of art to pieces by adding their 2 cents, an astounding number of revisions, and a few extra pennies thrown into the mix until you can’t stand to work on the project any longer as it just simply does not even make graphical sense anymore. 

Yes, a graphic designer’s job can be tough at times, like any job really - but I’m not writing this to complain and make a fuss about all the negative aspects there are to being a graphic designer. In fact, I am writing this to tell you that it truly is a wonderful career choice!

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If you are considering the idea of studying to become a graphic designer, you will definitely have to spend some time weighing a list of pros and cons to see if this indeed is a field for you. You will be happy to know that the assignments given in graphic design courses are typically fun and quite different to other more theoretical courses. This is because they are designed to make you think outside of the box, which is an important frame of mind to be in, especially for people that will most likely land up working on brand advertising campaigns in one way or another.

Don’t be surprised if your course layout requests you to move slightly away from digital design either. You might be asked to paint, draw and sketch with traditional media such as oil paint, pencils, pens, pastel crayons or even charcoal. Many courses introduced students to the world of traditional media before progressing to digital media. This concept is usually to encourage the learners to grasp the idea that the mouse and computer screen is just an extension of their creativity, the same way a brush, paint and canvas or chisel and rock is for that matter.

So to you, the reader and potential Graphic Designer, I want to say this; if you are considering a career in graphic design, GREAT! Open your mind, prepare to learn new, exciting things and practice, practice, practice!

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5 Things Graphic Design Students Should Keep In Mind

1. A graphic designer can never practice enough -

I would really like to suggest that you look online for tutorials on using design software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign etc. You really need to follow as many of these tutorials as you possibly can. Many formal courses are great when it comes to laying a solid foundation, but the honest truth is, the most practical knowledge that one applies at work on a daily basis usual stems from what was learnt via internet tutorials. Luckily, there is no shortage of awesome tutorials online. Search Youtube and Pinterest. Visit Tutsplus.com and search abdozeedo.com for psdtuts. Please prepare yourself for doing a lot more work than your course material requests of you!

2. Start seeking out clients early on -

You should try to start taking on odd jobs for people as early on as possible. Reach out to family and friends to help connect you with business owners or company managers who might need some design work done. If you don’t know how exactly to do what they require, Google it. If they don’t end up using what you designed, don’t worry about it, carry on, soon someone will. The reason I advise you start early is because I feel that courses don’t always prepare students for working with clients. I see it all the time, graphic design interns that don’t know how to handle rejection. Clients are straight forward, critical and picky. You need to learn how to let criticism roll off your back and skillfully steer the client in the right direction.

3. Keep up with the latest trends - 

It is extremely important for graphic designers to be in tune with the latest trends before the masses follow. Today’s client is very well informed, they do their research before they meet with you and if you’re in a meeting where a client constantly has to explain which trend they are referring to and what it is then you are not going to come across as the knowledgeable graphic artist they are looking for. It is so easy to keep up though, so don’t fall behind for no good reason. Subscribe to design blogs, follow the famous artists on Twitter and arrive at work/campus 30 minutes earlier to grab a cup of coffee/tea while you read through the latest happenings in the digital art world.

4. Follow your passion -

Some design jobs can actually be boring. I know of a friend of a friend who studied for 3 years, passed with distinctions and landed a great job at a well-known newspaper in town. He ended up mostly having to lay out pages filled with text columns over and over again. He loathed the work so much that he not only quit the job but the entire career too.So, what I’m trying to say is; move on if you feel you need to. There are so many different directions you can go into as a graphic designer. Try to do some research on this before or while you are studying to give yourself better clarity on which type of career you would want to pursue and if you end up feeling bored, move on! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should quit your job that easily, please do make sure you line another job up before quitting the one you have. All I’m saying is; don’t get yourself stuck where you feel a lack of inspiration, because graphic designers feed off of inspiration.

5. Most importantly, have fun -

If you’re not having fun you’re doing something wrong! Sure, not every single day is going to be a blast, it is a job after all, but if you don’t feel excited at least somewhere during the phase of a project then a career in graphic design might not be for you. Please don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to stay where you’ve decided to be, there are so many other directions a graphic designer can move into without having to learn a complete new career. 

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Whatever you do, stay inspired and keep learning!

I hope that I was able to shed some light on a few things that some career orientation guides might not discuss. I know that I would’ve valued this type of information when I was still a student. Look for inspiration wherever you go and life as a Graphic Designer will never be dull.

Much love - @sweetpea

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