Gettting Your Foot In The Door

[Frey]

I was wondering what one has to do to make a career out of graphic design? I know you obviously must know what you are dong and have some educational background, but how do you get your foot in the door? The reason I ask is because in all honesty I don't want to just be a freelance designer, I want to make a career out of it. Does anyone have any useful tips?

 

[Dataflow]

portfolio and try to have something unique and research the job your going for and have something in your portfolio that relates to that job (that last advise was from personal experience).
im no pro so what i said above is just a guess of what i think an employee would be looking for.

 

[Jessicayla]

I've been trying to get my foot in the door as well, and the one important thing that people want to see is:
1. Experience
In the form of a degree over all, and also experience in the form of a portfolio.

Here's the thing, you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job.
So, basically, the first thing you need to do is either do some work for free for local businesses to get some experience, or you can just make mock logos or whatever it is you're wanting to do, just to showcase your work in some way.
I've been trying to make mock logos and mock website layout frames just to put in my portfolio just to have something to show.
Even if they're not the best, at least I have something to give an idea of what I am capable of.

I've also been scouring Craigslist in the art/media/design section and creative section and emailing people my portfolio and offering to do some work.

 

[dv8_fx]

Those who appeared here said the gist of it.... You MUST have a degree of knowledge in this field and a portfolio.

At your stage, you are presently gathering data and accumulating knowledge. Do not forget this is a broad spectrum... this includes product production phase - printing, materials. newspaper advertising, etc. Your artwork may be dependent on these elements. It's not a matter of "Create the artwork, print on this paper at this size, deliver to client". You must have knowledge in the production phase caz it may save you time or save money for you and the client in terms of steps to take to create the work.

If you want to start this, you have to meet people. This means you should be armed with a PORTFOLIO. Even right now you can achieve both... talk to friends and relatives.... they may need some design work - posters, business cards, Greeting cards (printed and digital media) , personal stationary, etc... . Include whatever you designed for them in your portfolio - "Poster Designed for Mr /Ms" .... so on so forth. And from your friends and relatives , ask for referrals .

If you feel comfortable, visit the businesses in your area. They may need a brochure or newspapar ad.

 

[ibclare]

and keep learning, keep practicing. Take criticism in the spirit it is given and improve your stuff. Get schooled, whether you have to do it through tutorials or at a college. Personally I suggest a real art education. By real, I mean art history, design fundamentals, color theory, a taste of eg: drawing or painting, etc. Be around art and the people who make it. Go to exhibitions when you can and look at graphic design magazines. Develop your artistic skills and your artistic eye.

Learning what constitutes good design is an absolute prerequisite for having a successful career, not just creating a business card here and there.