Many design students have a hard time transitioning from student to employees simply because of a lack of prep. Together with the graphic design business being so competitive, it's important to make yourself stand out from the competition. Graphic design is a fast paced industry which needs a lot of skills from employees. Many pupils struggle with a real graphic design job because they don't understand what to anticipate and become overwhelmed. No matter what stage you are at in your career progression, we've complied a list to help you prepare for your livelihood.

1. Go to School

There are very few young graphic designers who have such a great mixture of skills and awareness to be successful right from the gate. Having a graphic design degree is a fantastic achievement and several employers will weigh more heavily on the fact that you have a certificate compared to somebody else. You still need a strong portfolio, but having a graphic design degree under your belt is going to be impressive.

2. Work Hard

Obtaining your first job from graphic design school will be difficult work. There is loads of work out there, but you need to be educated about your prospective and search for it. If you do the proper research and associate with the proper people within the industry, it is going to be easier for you to chase down people who'll be in the position to offer you a graphic design job.

3. Figure Out Your Specialization

There are many taps to graphic design - logo design, business card design, brochure design, identity and branding, magazine and book design and advertisements. Discover which channel you enjoy the most and operate best in. Having a specialty can allow you to stand out when you're preparing for your career as a graphic designer.

4. Plan Out Your Courses

Plan out your courses for what will fit your schedule and lifestyle. If you want to start working earlier, work with school counsellors to fast track your graphic design program so that you can begin working sooner. Should you would like to get more classes to enlarge your design knowledge (which never hurts anybody ), then you could even work this to your own program.

5. Be Nice

Being nice will get you far in the industry. As you prepare for your career as a graphic designer, keep in mind that lots of employers are incredibly active. When calling, interviewing and e-mailing with possible employers, don't forget to be considerate because they are taking time from their day to converse with you. Treat people with respect and you are more likely to find exactly the exact same in return.

6. Network

Networking is one of the most important things you can do as a graphic design student and the earlier you start, the better. #5 and #6 are linked - if you're nice to people they're more inclined to refer you to somebody for a job. Keep in touch with your network of contacts and genuinely be friendly.

7. Master Your Software

Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are resources you need to be comfortable and familiar with. Most companies will expect you to understand these tools as soon as you graduate.

8. Take Advantage of Resources

A number of these sorts of services are not taken advantage of at college. The services are there for a reason - to help you. If you're looking for employment, help with a resume, interview skills, etc. they will more than pleased to assist you.

9. Can Side Projects or Freelance

The best way to get experience when you're young is to create your own personal projects or freelance on the side. In addition, this is a excellent way for students to make a little extra money whilst attending graphic design school. Negative jobs are a good way to add work to your portfolio that's completely yours. Freelancing is an excellent way to work on real-world design projects with real clients. Use these adventures as a way to refine and sharpen your own skills.

10. Start Looking for Criticism

Nobody's layouts are perfect. That is why searching out other people to look for your mistakes is a good way to develop your abilities. It may be tough receiving comments initially because it can feel like your work is being personally attacked. Remember to differentiate yourself from your work and to utilize it in order to improve.

11. Locate Graphic Design Internships/Placements

Expertise is one of the most effective ways to make yourself stand out. Experience is what will put you in addition to the resume pile at graphic design agencies. E-mail or telephone graphic design agencies you'd like to get the best experience from. Many agencies will require interns without advertising for them (and they may even pay you).

12. Read

Reading is one of the greatest skills you may inherit when planning for your career as a graphic designing. Many elements of the design industry change so fast that you're likely to need to be able to keep up with the latest criteria. Professionally speaking, reading books and internet articles will make you a brighter designer.

13. Learn Business

Getting knowledgable in general business terms will turn out to be valuable later in your career. If you ever wish to go fulltime freelancer, you're going to have to know how to run a business. Taking classes such as economics, marketing, advertising and company communication will be beneficial for you.

14. Be Original

You have to have a personal style. Without you, you can get lots within the hundreds of graphic design students which may be applying for the same jobs you are! A good way to distinguish yourself is to brand yourself. Organize your portfolio, your own e-mails, your resume and cover letter and your social media presence. Be consistent across all of them.

15. Have a Portfolio

Not having a portfolio won't get you very much in the graphic design market. Portfolios are a way to brand yourself and market your services. If you do not have many portfolio pieces, create side projects on your own, work for family and friends or freelance with actual clients.

16. Take a Resume & Cover Letter

Even through some say the restart is now dead from the design industry, it's still great to own one. In case a graphic design job exceeds lots of applications, they won't have enough time to check over your design portfolio. Rather, they will only examine your resume to see if you've got the minimal requirements for the position. In your cover letter remember to include who you are, why you're contacting so-and-so and why you need to work at the picture design
agency.

17. Follow People That Inspire You

Following people you admire is important since it can be a continuous source of inspiration. Twitter is a good community for graphic designers since you can easily follow all the"leaders" from the picture designer market.

18. Make a List of Places/People You Want to Work For

If one of your aims is to function for a specific service, then do your research before you even graduate. Are you currently searching for designers? How big is their business? How many employees do they have? Which kind of work do they generally create and is it your style? Is your company environment somewhere you may find yourself fitting in?

19. Attend Events

Becoming busy online is very good, but meeting others and attending events offline is a excellent way to get in touch with the neighborhood. Although many of these conferences are somewhat expensive for graphic design students, if you can attend one, take advantage of it.

20. Do Research on Job Requirements

Job requirements for graphic designers can change slightly from one company to the next. This is a good way to prepare for your career because it allows you to know exactly what you need to expect at work. If you do not understand what your employers will probably be demanding for you, it is sometimes a nerve-racking experience transitioning from student to employee.