The graphic design industry is set to grow at a rate of 3% from 2022 to 2032. In Pakistan, there is a growing demand for graphic designers in fields like TV, film, marketing, and software development. Fortunately, starting a career in graphic design is both easy and affordable. Here is how you can kickstart your career in graphic design as a student in 2023.

UNDERSTANDING COURSE DURATION AND OPTIONS

Usually, employers prioritize experience and portfolio over a formal degree in graphic design. Although there are multiple institutions in Pakistan offering Bachelor’s degrees in Graphic Design, a cheaper option is to consider MOOCs. MOOCs are massive open online courses, which allow you to get a certification in Graphic Design in just under six months. A lot of these are completely free of charge. Furthermore, you can get access to accredited courses by prestigious universities like The University of Sydney, the California Institute of the Arts, and countless more.

PICKING A NICHE

It is highly important to select a relevant and interesting niche to specialize in. Some of the in-demand niches these days include: Brand Design- This includes creating logos, setting a color theme for a particular company or brand Packaging Graphic Design- This involves creating functional and aesthetically pleasing packaging for products. Web/Digital Design- Covers UX design, SEO, web architecture as well as web graphic design skills

3D Graphic Design— Focuses on creating 3D models and animations User Interface Design— Focuses on creating easy-to-use buttons and menus for a user to navigate an interface Motion Graphics Design— Uses both 2D and 3D programs to create animation for TV, film, and other media Typography Design— It is concerned with choosing the right fonts and layout for a page.

It is worthwhile to note that while specializing is great, it might also be necessary to diversify to keep up with industry trends.

GETTING FEEDBACK

Constructive criticism is a vital part of the learning process. Most online courses offer quizzes and assessments, which is an optimal way to get feedback on your progress. However, if your course does not offer those you can upload your work on forums such as Hunie, Behance, Dribbble, and DeviantArt where you can sometimes also get your portfolio reviewed. These communities are reliable and supportive.

DOING YOUR RESEARCH

While Graphic Design theory is fundamental to learn, it is also mandatory to put the theory into practice. It is important to study the masters and read up on their techniques before you can start creating your own original work. Courses often come with assignments that include replicating specific work, often work you personally admire.

PRACTICING THROUGH ASSIGNMENTS

Whether you are following an assignment from a course or studying on your own, it might help to iterate. Try exploring multiple software, workflows, and deadlines. Software options include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and even free online websites like Canva. You might find that you achieve a certain result sooner with one method as opposed to another.

FINDING A MENTOR

It may be hard to get feedback from online forums like Hunie, Behance, Dribbble, and DeviantArt if you are new to their community. However, before you can assemble a final portfolio, you might want to try other resources to look for mentorships. Some options are finding internships, joining associations such as the Graphic Design Association of Pakistan (GDAP), or networking through LinkedIn.

ASSEMBLING A PORTFOLIO

Aim to showcase five to ten of your best projects for your portfolio. Remember, it should be a collection of your most presentable work, as this is what employers will use to determine if they want to hire you. Try to include a good variety of styles, as this exemplifies your adaptability. Ideas for what to include are logos, brochures, flyers, book covers, social media templates, and more. You can use Canva to create PDF-format portfolios. However, it is best to design a website that you can regularly update. Websites like Wix and Cargo come with pre-made templates that anyone can use to create a website for free.

SEARCHING FOR WORK

Now that you have a portfolio, you can register on multiple freelancing platforms with ease. There are three essential categories that platforms can be divided into, which are as follows.

PROFESSIONAL FREELANCE PLATFORMS

Upwork- Upwork is the top freelancing website in the world. There are sufficient fraud protection policies and payment plans in place, making it a highly reliable place to establish your career.

Fiverr- Fiverr is the most popular platform for new freelancers. It offers a variety of payment options and an easy-to-navigate interface

Toptal- Toptal is a highly selective platform, as the name suggests. Only experienced freelancers are accepted. However, it is a good platform to find reliable and talented freelancers.

AMATEUR FREELANCE PLATFORMS

Gumtree- While you can find freelance clients and sell your services, it is not fraud-proof. However, it is easy to use for amateurs.

Indeed- More commonly known as a job board, it is still a great platform to find freelance graphic design work

Olx- A well-known amateur-friendly platform for freelancing

BEGINNER FREELANCE PLATFORMS

Smallertask- Smallertask is a newly launched platform for student freelancers, created by a student.

Interns.pk- A decent platform to find relevant internships

Conclusion

In summary, graphic design is a skill that anyone can acquire. If you’re a recent graduate, it’s advisable to start with beginner freelance platforms for about 2 to 3 months. Once you’ve gained enough experience, you can then begin exploring amateur and professional categories for work opportunities.

written by Rija