1. One of the biggest areas for improvement that I see in new designers is with typography. Mastering typography is a timeless graphic design skill that transcends any tool at our disposal. Without the ability to lay out type in a pleasing way, many design doors will remain closed to students. 2. Regardless of where a student receives their degree, having a strong and well edited portfolio is key to getting someone's attention. If the piece is a class project, explain the creative brief in addition to showing your solution. If possible, show real world work, from work for friends, family to clients a student has been able to do. Show your best work in your portfolio and stand by it! 3. Adobe platforms have been ubiquitous for decades now, so those are still the tops of the industry. A strong background in Adobe CC allows a designer to easily pick up new platforms that come around. A key to any designer is their creativity, regardless of tool. 4. If a student is considering freelance, I would encourage taking basic business/entrepreneurship courses to learn about startup costs and concerns. There needs to be a good knowledge of how to price services. I recommend every student get a copy of the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook to learn more about pricing and the industry. Don't undersell the product you're giving customers! 5. In my experience, entry level roles include basic advertisement layouts, including digital ads, social media posts, pamphlets, print ads etc. These tasks help determine an understanding of different layout sizes, color profiles, print ready files etc. I always look for new designers who ask questions. Feedback drives us to better solutions, so I want to see designers who are curious for other ways of thinking. 6. I encourage all designers to constantly read about the industry and study design even after school is over. Look around for inspiration. Look at what others in the industry are doing. Never stop learning!
1. Even though its an online class, try and work off screen as well. Scribbling ideas out is always my starting point for logos. As designers we are glued to our desk the whole time. going outside with my sketch book is a game changer. 2. It sounds boring, but the answer is: practice. A lot. Do mock projects from sites like Brief Club or create concepts for brands you love. Treat them as if they were real clients. Think about goals, target audience, deliverables. When you put them in your portfolio, be clear that they're concepts, but show the same effort and thought process you would for paid work. 4. If you want to freelance, think of your portfolio as a marketing tool. Include a clear about you page, a summary of your services, and ways to contact you. Make it easy for someone to hire you. For in-house or agency roles, focus on showing the range of your skills and how you approach projects, not just the final design. Employers want to see how you think. 6. Be curious. Learn to give and take feedback without getting defensive. Stay inspired: go to museums, read magazines, follow design blogs. All of that will shape your taste, and good taste is what clients and employers pay for. If you ever hit a creative block, don't panic. I started to use those as a break. I go for a run, to coffee shops for people watching or to a bookstore to browse magazines for inspiration.