Getting a job in graphic design isn’t easy. Having the right skills is important. James Allwright, head of design for a specialist provider notes, “You need to be committed, definitely committed, because if you’re not committed you won’t get a job, because the industry is so competitive.” But what’s the best way in? And how important are formal qualifications?
Graphic Designer Courses: the Importance of Formal Qualifications
Formal qualifications are important, if not necessarily essential. What a qualification does, is give entrants an edge. Richard Wesson, publications manager in the public sector says, “It opens doors. Applicants are up against numbers, so any disadvantage can count against them. A degree or equivalent is probably one of the most important criteria for someone who’s starting out.”
Allwright agrees. “Some form of qualification is very important, and it’s not necessarily because you can’t be a designer without going to college. For me, going to college was having the creative freedom to find myself. If you go straight into a job then you’re expected to do work for clients straight away before you know who you are, or what you do. That’s why qualifications are so well regarded in the industry – because they show that you’ve had that time, and the creative freedom.”
Graphic Design Applications: What Else is Important?
Being original is key. This is the creative sector, and applications need to reflect that. Wesson comments, “Don’t be afraid to inject some personality into your CV or portfolio. What you're supplying presents you, and initially that’s all the person reading can see. So don’t be afraid to put something of yourself into it. Make it unique.”
Allwright adds, “A tailored approach makes all the difference. If you’re contacting someone, make sure you know who you’re contacting, and what kind of work they do. Tailor your approach to them. And obviously within graphic design the way to get noticed is to send a sample of your work. Make that inventive, don’t just put stuff on a page and send it with a word-based letter. Your application is your window into that world, so make sure that everything you send represents you, from the covering letter to the way you present your work.”
The importance of being unique doesn’t just end at the application stage. Kate Phillips, joint partner in EaK Design explains, “Discover your key skills, these are what make you different. If you do work that makes you stand out, if you’re good at it and you enjoy doing it, then hopefully that will come across to the client. Love the work that you do, and other people will.”
How to be Successful in Graphic Design
Wesson comments, “Experience is hugely important – taking advantage of opportunities like work experience is crucial because if you’ve worked in an agency, you can acquire contacts that go on to be incredibly useful. If not, at least you’ve got some experience, some foundation.”
Persistence is also vital. Allwright says, “If it’s what you want to get into, you have to be committed, and work hard. If you work hard that will show, and if you’re clever about the way you approach people then that comes through as well.”
It’s also crucial to keep up to date: to know what others in the field are doing and what the latest developments are. Building networks with colleagues and those in similar areas is also important. Phillips explains, “Especially if you’re starting up by yourself, it’s really good to have that bit of support. There are a few designers I know who used to work for agencies and they’ve started off on their own. I talk to them about work, to find out how it’s going. I think it’s really important to have people in your field that you can do that with.”
Graphic design is all about uniqueness – using your originality to bring out what’s special in the client’s product. Which means knowing your sector, your client and their brand. Phillips adds, “In the end, it’s all about relationships. If you get on well with your client, that helps to build the brand or the product, whatever you’re developing.”
Further Information
- Creative Choices: Graphic Designer
- Directgov: Next Step Careers Advice: Graphic Designer
- Prospects [graduate careers website]: Graphic Designer
About the Contributors
James Allwright is head of design for a specialist provider. He has a degree in Graphic Design from the University of the West of England.
Kate Phillips is joint partner in EaK Design, a design company offering a range of services. She studied Graphic Communication at UWIC in Cardiff, UK, working for a while as an employee before establishing the business.
Richard Wesson did a degree in Graphic Design at Southampton, England, and is now head of publications for a public sector organisation. He spent his first few years as a freelance.
Ellie Stevenson - Ellie writes on history, travel, careers & the arts. Her novel, Ship of Haunts (http://tinyurl.com/cyryp2m) is on Amazon as an ebook.
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