Graphic Design Made Easy: 5 Tips to Start Your First Project

In the era of social media, the role of Graphic Designers is very much needed, whether for social and commercial campaigns. Graphic Designers are also required in almost every line of organization, both government and private, profit or non-profit. Some of you may be interested in starting a graphic design project, even without any college or formal education in related fields.

The development of the digital world has made graphic design one of the capabilities to be reckoned with. Thus, this particular job can be developed into another promising career, including social media specialist, UI/UX designer, and web designer.

To help you start your new project as a newbie designer, follow these tips:

• Finding the niche

To land your first project, you must decide the niche of your graphic design. “Niche” is a part of an industry with a more specific target market or a smaller scope of consumers. In other words, the niche market is a segmentation of the mass market. 

It is essential to distinguish yourself or your work in the niche market. All your potential customers know clearly and specifically what they are interested in. For example, some people might be looking for a designer specializing in gothic-style digital artwork, or they might need someone to create 3D modeling to map some buildings, etc.

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• Deciding the purpose of your project

The key to a successful project is your understanding of the end-user customer, your design’s target audience. Designers should solve real problems for real people by using empathy and knowledge of their prospects’ habits, behaviors, needs, and wants. In simpler words, it is essential to ensure that your work has added value for a broad audience. 

• Building professional network

Attending seminars, workshops, or other social events allows you to meet many people from different backgrounds. This is an excellent chance to make more acquaintances and open new networks to grow your name as a designer.

You can also share your work through workshops, online forums, and social media. That way, you can build healthy professional networking with people who have the same interests in graphic design.

• Learning from various sources

Good designers will take notes, try new things, and pay attention to the people around them to continue to grow and develop. Keep half of the glass remain empty, so you can learn and grow into a better professional.

Many resources can be used to learn and continue to grow as a graphic designer, such as taking part in non-formal training or pursuing further education in design.

• Setting up for success.

To start your first project successfully, there are some skills you need to hone before committing to the industry as a professional. Here are those skills:

• Creative mindset: Creative thinking is an essential element to become a graphic designer. This is because you will get many projects with different conditions.
• Communication skills: A graphic designer must be skilled in communicating both written and oral. Communication skills are helpful when a graphic designer works with clients in listening to instructions, suggestions, and even criticism.
• Computer skills – Some applications commonly used in graphic designs are Adobe software, ranging from Photoshop to Illustrator.
• Presentation skills – A modern graphic designer should have good presentation skills considering that not all clients understand design. Thus, they need an explanation of how the process is carried out from start to finish.

Final words

Starting your graphic design project as a beginner is never easy. That being said, by following the five tips above, you should have an easier time dealing with the hassle of a first-timer. Good luck!