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How do I get started as an illustrator/graphic designer?
Hi! I'm a lifelong artist currently recovering from my engineering day job and the toll it's taken on my mental health. (Mechanical Engineering grad, 2-ish years into my career).
I've finally gotten to a point where I'm ready to take the plunge and look for a more creative career. I'm totally lost on where to go from there, though.
I would absolutely love to illustrate books but I don't think I'm ready to fully shift to freelance work. What other career options should I explore that are similar but a little more stable? (And ideally include healthcare, lol)
What programs/certifications should I prioritize?
What should I include in my portfolio?
Thanks in advance :) please feel free to leave any other advice you have for me!
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3 answers
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Liana’s Answer
Hi Laura,
It seemed like it's been quite a journey so far. I would encourage you to take graphic design classes at your local community college. Therefore you will get an Associate degree in graphic design. Next, you can transfer to a University. During your free time, you can create cool, engaging, and easy tutorials from YouTube. I would encourage you to start creating logos from YouTube. You will need to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator in order for you to create a great portfolio. This can help you build a portfolio. You will eventually need to create your own portfolio. When you apply to many graphic design jobs, the majority of the hiring managers will want to see your own creative portfolio. When you attend a school, majoring in graphic design, you will eventually create your own portfolio. I would also recommend that you should get a BA degree in graphic design. You can take classes online. I've heard that Arizona State University online has a great graphic design program. I wish you the best of luck!
It seemed like it's been quite a journey so far. I would encourage you to take graphic design classes at your local community college. Therefore you will get an Associate degree in graphic design. Next, you can transfer to a University. During your free time, you can create cool, engaging, and easy tutorials from YouTube. I would encourage you to start creating logos from YouTube. You will need to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator in order for you to create a great portfolio. This can help you build a portfolio. You will eventually need to create your own portfolio. When you apply to many graphic design jobs, the majority of the hiring managers will want to see your own creative portfolio. When you attend a school, majoring in graphic design, you will eventually create your own portfolio. I would also recommend that you should get a BA degree in graphic design. You can take classes online. I've heard that Arizona State University online has a great graphic design program. I wish you the best of luck!
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Laura
Good for you to want to take this plunge! I think the most straightforward way is, as another respondent suggested, to get a degree in graphic design. The Bachelors qualification is important, but also is the experience of courses in graphic design and computer graphics, which will challenge you, and will expand your skills and ideas. You'll get a better idea of the possibilities of graphic design careers, and there are a lot of them. Your experience from your graphic design courses will be be evident in your portfolio, which you will take to interviews. In addition, you'll, hopefully meet graphic design professionals as part of your program, and hopefully also, you'll be also be able to do an internship, where you'll get real life experience in graphic design and gain some professional references. It's all part of a package that will put you in a good position to gain a position in this exciting but competitive field.
Best wishes! I hope this helps.
Good for you to want to take this plunge! I think the most straightforward way is, as another respondent suggested, to get a degree in graphic design. The Bachelors qualification is important, but also is the experience of courses in graphic design and computer graphics, which will challenge you, and will expand your skills and ideas. You'll get a better idea of the possibilities of graphic design careers, and there are a lot of them. Your experience from your graphic design courses will be be evident in your portfolio, which you will take to interviews. In addition, you'll, hopefully meet graphic design professionals as part of your program, and hopefully also, you'll be also be able to do an internship, where you'll get real life experience in graphic design and gain some professional references. It's all part of a package that will put you in a good position to gain a position in this exciting but competitive field.
Best wishes! I hope this helps.
Updated
Susie’s Answer
Hello Laura,
I've known several people who've found themselves in situations similar to yours. While I do support the idea of attending a community college to earn an associate degree in graphic design, some people follow a university path - I don't find that necessary. Spend some time enhancing your portfolio, and consider meeting with established designers and artists. They can provide valuable critiques of your work and suggest what you might include in your portfolio.
You mentioned an interest in healthcare. Have you considered medical illustrations? If you're already familiar with Adobe Illustrator, you might want to explore online platforms like Shutterstock and iStock. While I'm not certain about the income potential from these sites, they could be worth considering if you're not yet ready to go freelance. I often use these resources in my job because I lack the time to create everything myself!
As an eLearning professional, I've had multiple careers as a graphic designer, including print, television, animation, and now eLearning. There are many other fields that require the skills of artists and designers, such as UX/UI and interior design. By exploring these possibilities, you might gain a clearer idea of the path you'd like to take.
I've known several people who've found themselves in situations similar to yours. While I do support the idea of attending a community college to earn an associate degree in graphic design, some people follow a university path - I don't find that necessary. Spend some time enhancing your portfolio, and consider meeting with established designers and artists. They can provide valuable critiques of your work and suggest what you might include in your portfolio.
You mentioned an interest in healthcare. Have you considered medical illustrations? If you're already familiar with Adobe Illustrator, you might want to explore online platforms like Shutterstock and iStock. While I'm not certain about the income potential from these sites, they could be worth considering if you're not yet ready to go freelance. I often use these resources in my job because I lack the time to create everything myself!
As an eLearning professional, I've had multiple careers as a graphic designer, including print, television, animation, and now eLearning. There are many other fields that require the skills of artists and designers, such as UX/UI and interior design. By exploring these possibilities, you might gain a clearer idea of the path you'd like to take.