5 answers
DeVonagha
Student
Waco, Texas
1
Question
Asked
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How many hours do you have to work as a graphic designer ?
I’m learning how to become a graphic designer but I’m still in school. I want to know how many hours I need to work.
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5 answers
Haroon Shoukat
1
Answer
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Updated
Haroon’s Answer
As a graphic design student, it's essential to focus on your studies and also set aside consistent time for hands-on practice and real-world experience. Try to spend a couple of hours each week honing your design skills, look for internships or part-time jobs, and take on personal projects. Connecting with fellow designers and joining design communities can be really helpful too. By finding the right balance between your schoolwork and design practice, you'll grow your abilities and get ready for an exciting career in the field.
Kevin Kohlman
Graphic Designer, Digital Artist and VFX and Motion Designer
4
Answers
Schererville, Indiana
Updated
Kevin’s Answer
Hello, that's a challenging question. Are you inquiring about the number of hours needed to feel at ease with design or to land a job? Although not all companies demand a college degree in design for employment, it certainly helps. School can teach you various aspects such as choosing fonts, adjusting spacing, creating layouts, and more. Simultaneously, many individuals possess natural talent and can learn software programs essential for design, like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, on their own.
If you have access to these tools, begin familiarizing yourself with their features, as you will undoubtedly use at least one, if not all, of them. Start designing now, save your work, and build a portfolio to showcase your skills and gain credibility. When it comes to securing a full-time or contract position as a designer, a portfolio is absolutely necessary! I wish you the best of luck and encourage you to keep creating!
Get familiar with design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
Create a portfolio of your work samples to show your abilities.
Keep practicing, repetition is the key to getting down the fundamentals
If you have access to these tools, begin familiarizing yourself with their features, as you will undoubtedly use at least one, if not all, of them. Start designing now, save your work, and build a portfolio to showcase your skills and gain credibility. When it comes to securing a full-time or contract position as a designer, a portfolio is absolutely necessary! I wish you the best of luck and encourage you to keep creating!
Kevin recommends the following next steps:
Stacey Baldini
Product Designer
12
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Stacey’s Answer
Hi DeVonagha!
I think one thing I would like to add here, is that not all practice is created equal. Once you have some basics down, like some other responders have noted, you will want to engage in purposeful practice with clear goals. This is a good overview video on the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGgPTG6f3g4
If you engage in purposeful practice, you reduce the number of hours invested but you get a better result.
The number of hours you can devote to practicing is really up to your unique life situation - there is no one size fits all. However, if you are purposeful with how you approach your practice, you can get to a higher level of skill much more efficiently.
How do you know what to focus on? Get feedback from your instructors, peers and people in the industry. Look at job postings and see what skills are required. Look at those at the top of their game in the industry and see what level they are at vs where you are. Make a plan to study the skills they have and practice those. Understand the wider context of your work and how you fit into the market. I think then you can be successful.
I think one thing I would like to add here, is that not all practice is created equal. Once you have some basics down, like some other responders have noted, you will want to engage in purposeful practice with clear goals. This is a good overview video on the topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGgPTG6f3g4
If you engage in purposeful practice, you reduce the number of hours invested but you get a better result.
The number of hours you can devote to practicing is really up to your unique life situation - there is no one size fits all. However, if you are purposeful with how you approach your practice, you can get to a higher level of skill much more efficiently.
How do you know what to focus on? Get feedback from your instructors, peers and people in the industry. Look at job postings and see what skills are required. Look at those at the top of their game in the industry and see what level they are at vs where you are. Make a plan to study the skills they have and practice those. Understand the wider context of your work and how you fit into the market. I think then you can be successful.
elaine tan
graphic design freelancer
1
Answer
San Gabriel, California
Updated
elaine’s Answer
Hello DeVonagha,
Regarding the number of hours you need to work as a graphic designer, it can differ significantly! Graphic designers, like many other professionals, can choose to work full-time, part-time, or on a freelance basis through contracts. When I was in school, I began as a graphic design intern, working less than 8 hours per week. During my senior year, I transitioned to a part-time graphic designer role, where my employer and I agreed on a 3-day workweek. After graduation, I worked full-time, putting in the standard 40 hours per week. Later in my career, I primarily took on freelance projects, which meant my work hours varied based on the projects and clients.
There are various options for the number of hours you need to work as a graphic designer, so it doesn't have to be overly strict. Once you determine your priorities, such as gaining experience, job security, career growth, salary, or work hour flexibility, you can figure out the best work schedule to fit your situation and needs.
Regarding the number of hours you need to work as a graphic designer, it can differ significantly! Graphic designers, like many other professionals, can choose to work full-time, part-time, or on a freelance basis through contracts. When I was in school, I began as a graphic design intern, working less than 8 hours per week. During my senior year, I transitioned to a part-time graphic designer role, where my employer and I agreed on a 3-day workweek. After graduation, I worked full-time, putting in the standard 40 hours per week. Later in my career, I primarily took on freelance projects, which meant my work hours varied based on the projects and clients.
There are various options for the number of hours you need to work as a graphic designer, so it doesn't have to be overly strict. Once you determine your priorities, such as gaining experience, job security, career growth, salary, or work hour flexibility, you can figure out the best work schedule to fit your situation and needs.
Todor Shtrakov
UX Designer
1
Answer
Sofia, Bulgaria
Updated
Todor’s Answer
Great question!
I'd suggest that there's no specific number of hours for learning since individuals grasp concepts at varying rates and may find some topics easier to understand than others. Instead, consider making a checklist of the skills you want to acquire and the projects you'd like to create, as this can help you stay engaged with the material.
Divide your learning goals into categories and tackle a few items from each list at a time.
For example, if you want to "enhance my design software skills," create a list of relevant software and their most commonly used features, such as Photoshop - Masking, Color Modes, Selection Methods, Layer Types, etc. Another category could be "master design principles," with Design Principles - Gestalt, Color, Most Used, etc.
Regarding the experience needed for a job, some entry-level positions may not require actual work samples in your portfolio (although they are highly advantageous). If you don't have real work examples, focus on showcasing personal projects you've designed in your spare time. Offer your design assistance to friends and family members and include these projects in your portfolio, regardless of whether they will be used later or how small they may be.
Remember to explain and support your design process and choices, and never give up! Keep pushing forward, and you'll achieve your goals.
I'd suggest that there's no specific number of hours for learning since individuals grasp concepts at varying rates and may find some topics easier to understand than others. Instead, consider making a checklist of the skills you want to acquire and the projects you'd like to create, as this can help you stay engaged with the material.
Divide your learning goals into categories and tackle a few items from each list at a time.
For example, if you want to "enhance my design software skills," create a list of relevant software and their most commonly used features, such as Photoshop - Masking, Color Modes, Selection Methods, Layer Types, etc. Another category could be "master design principles," with Design Principles - Gestalt, Color, Most Used, etc.
Regarding the experience needed for a job, some entry-level positions may not require actual work samples in your portfolio (although they are highly advantageous). If you don't have real work examples, focus on showcasing personal projects you've designed in your spare time. Offer your design assistance to friends and family members and include these projects in your portfolio, regardless of whether they will be used later or how small they may be.
Remember to explain and support your design process and choices, and never give up! Keep pushing forward, and you'll achieve your goals.