7 answers
Kyonna
Student
Newark, New Jersey
2
Questions
Updated
646 views
How do I begin a career in graphic design with a college degree, but no experience?
I've been trying to get into the graphic design field, but no luck. I do not have a portfolio and not very much professional experience. How do I land an entry level position?
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7 answers
Winter Green
Dietary Aid
2
Answers
Stephenville, Texas
Updated
Winter’s Answer
Get a solid portfolio if you haven't already and try applying for internships using LinkedIn and indeed I've had good luck with those. Internships whether paid or unpaid still qualify as experience which will help you break into the market as a designer.
Umang Vora
Industrial and Graphic Designer
1
Answer
Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Updated
Umang’s Answer
Hi Kyonna,
Hope you are having a great day!!
It's good that you have a degree in Graphic Design.
Now, Your next step should be to gain proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, etc.. Tools.
Start making your own design, I am not saying it should be 100% yours, you can take inspiration from designs available on social media.
Make 5 to 6 good looking designs and start applying for Internships or Job (Fresher).
You see there are a lot of competition in jobs (Freshers) nowadays, So I would prefer to apply for Internships also.
Don't worry, I am a Graphic and Industrial designer.
Anyways, Have a Great Life!!
Hope you are having a great day!!
It's good that you have a degree in Graphic Design.
Now, Your next step should be to gain proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, etc.. Tools.
Start making your own design, I am not saying it should be 100% yours, you can take inspiration from designs available on social media.
Make 5 to 6 good looking designs and start applying for Internships or Job (Fresher).
You see there are a lot of competition in jobs (Freshers) nowadays, So I would prefer to apply for Internships also.
Don't worry, I am a Graphic and Industrial designer.
Anyways, Have a Great Life!!
Lirio Delgado
201
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Lirio’s Answer
1. **Build a Portfolio**: Create personal projects, do freelance work, and volunteer for nonprofits to develop a portfolio showcasing your skills.
2. **Gain Experience**: Look for internships, freelance gigs, or part-time positions to gain practical experience.
3. **Network**: Attend industry events, join design communities, and connect with alumni for job leads and advice.
4. **Develop Skills**: Master design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma) and stay updated with design trends.
5. **Prepare Applications**: Tailor your resume and cover letter for each job, and create a professional online presence with a portfolio.
6. **Apply Strategically**: Target entry-level positions and customize your applications to fit job descriptions.
7. **Prepare for Interviews**: Practice discussing your projects and design process, and be ready to present your portfolio effectively.
2. **Gain Experience**: Look for internships, freelance gigs, or part-time positions to gain practical experience.
3. **Network**: Attend industry events, join design communities, and connect with alumni for job leads and advice.
4. **Develop Skills**: Master design tools (Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma) and stay updated with design trends.
5. **Prepare Applications**: Tailor your resume and cover letter for each job, and create a professional online presence with a portfolio.
6. **Apply Strategically**: Target entry-level positions and customize your applications to fit job descriptions.
7. **Prepare for Interviews**: Practice discussing your projects and design process, and be ready to present your portfolio effectively.
Fazal Elahi
online assignment writer
48
Answers
Chitrāl, N.W.F.P
Updated
Fazal’s Answer
Starting a career in graphic design with a college degree but no experience is a common situation, and there are several steps you can take to build your portfolio and gain the experience needed:
### 1. **Build a Portfolio**
- **Personal Projects:** Start by creating your own design projects. These could include redesigning logos, creating posters, branding for imaginary companies, or any creative project that showcases your skills.
- **Student Work:** Include any relevant work you did during your college courses, even if it was part of an assignment. If you have permission, also include any collaborative projects.
- **Mock Clients:** Design for hypothetical clients or volunteer for local non-profits and small businesses that need design work.
### 2. **Freelance or Part-Time Work**
- **Freelancing Platforms:** Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Behance can be great for picking up small projects to build your portfolio.
- **Network:** Reach out to friends, family, and local businesses to offer your services at a reduced rate or even for free initially. This can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and paid projects.
### 3. **Online Presence**
- **Create a Website/Portfolio:** Use platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or even create your own website to showcase your work.
- **Social Media:** Share your designs on Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn. This helps you connect with potential clients and employers.
### 4. **Learn the Industry Tools**
- **Software Mastery:** Make sure you're proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other industry-standard tools. Tutorials and online courses can help you refine these skills.
- **Stay Updated:** Design trends and tools evolve quickly, so keep learning new techniques and software updates.
### 5. **Networking and Mentorship**
- **Join Design Communities:** Participate in online forums, attend local meetups, or join graphic design groups on social media. Networking can lead to job opportunities and collaborations.
- **Find a Mentor:** A mentor in the field can provide guidance, feedback on your work, and help you navigate the early stages of your career.
### 6. **Apply for Entry-Level Positions**
- **Internships:** Even if you’ve already graduated, internships can be a valuable way to gain experience. Many companies are willing to hire recent graduates for internships.
- **Junior Designer Roles:** Look for entry-level positions that don't require extensive experience. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your design education and the skills you've developed through your personal projects and freelancing.
### 7. **Continual Learning**
- **Courses and Certifications:** Consider taking additional courses in specific areas of design, such as UX/UI, web design, or motion graphics, to expand your skill set.
- **Critique and Feedback:** Regularly seek out feedback on your designs from peers or through online communities to improve your work.
Starting a career in graphic design without experience requires effort and persistence, but by actively building your portfolio, networking, and continuing to learn, you can establish yourself in the industry.
### 1. **Build a Portfolio**
- **Personal Projects:** Start by creating your own design projects. These could include redesigning logos, creating posters, branding for imaginary companies, or any creative project that showcases your skills.
- **Student Work:** Include any relevant work you did during your college courses, even if it was part of an assignment. If you have permission, also include any collaborative projects.
- **Mock Clients:** Design for hypothetical clients or volunteer for local non-profits and small businesses that need design work.
### 2. **Freelance or Part-Time Work**
- **Freelancing Platforms:** Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Behance can be great for picking up small projects to build your portfolio.
- **Network:** Reach out to friends, family, and local businesses to offer your services at a reduced rate or even for free initially. This can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and paid projects.
### 3. **Online Presence**
- **Create a Website/Portfolio:** Use platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or even create your own website to showcase your work.
- **Social Media:** Share your designs on Instagram, Pinterest, or LinkedIn. This helps you connect with potential clients and employers.
### 4. **Learn the Industry Tools**
- **Software Mastery:** Make sure you're proficient in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and other industry-standard tools. Tutorials and online courses can help you refine these skills.
- **Stay Updated:** Design trends and tools evolve quickly, so keep learning new techniques and software updates.
### 5. **Networking and Mentorship**
- **Join Design Communities:** Participate in online forums, attend local meetups, or join graphic design groups on social media. Networking can lead to job opportunities and collaborations.
- **Find a Mentor:** A mentor in the field can provide guidance, feedback on your work, and help you navigate the early stages of your career.
### 6. **Apply for Entry-Level Positions**
- **Internships:** Even if you’ve already graduated, internships can be a valuable way to gain experience. Many companies are willing to hire recent graduates for internships.
- **Junior Designer Roles:** Look for entry-level positions that don't require extensive experience. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your design education and the skills you've developed through your personal projects and freelancing.
### 7. **Continual Learning**
- **Courses and Certifications:** Consider taking additional courses in specific areas of design, such as UX/UI, web design, or motion graphics, to expand your skill set.
- **Critique and Feedback:** Regularly seek out feedback on your designs from peers or through online communities to improve your work.
Starting a career in graphic design without experience requires effort and persistence, but by actively building your portfolio, networking, and continuing to learn, you can establish yourself in the industry.
Sean Alexander
Retired
19
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Sean’s Answer
Hello there! If you're feeling uncertain about graphic design, don't worry. Starting with an internship could be a great first step. Wishing you lots of luck on this exciting journey. Best, Sean.
Veronica Adams
Creative Professional
70
Answers
Updated
Veronica’s Answer
Remember to continually learn and refresh your skills. Stay informed about the latest trends in your industry.
Chris Monaco
Art Director
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Hello Kyonna,
It’s normal to have difficulty getting your foot in the door. You will have a better chance if you apply for design jobs at a smaller local ad agency, design shop, edit house, or post-production studio (10+ employees) because they have fewer applicants than the bigger companies.
1) Check Google Maps for graphic design studios in your state or a nearby state you’re willing to commute to, then do a search on LinkedIn for their producers. Studio producers are always looking to hire all levels of talent. They usually are the point of contact before the Art or Creative Directors.
2) Connect with them and send them a short introduction note with a link to your portfolio (make one, even if it’s personal projects).
3) They may or may not reply, and that’s ok. Don’t message them again if they don’t. Either way, you will end up on their artist roster and may get a call one day for a booking.
4) Once your foot is in the door, it’s time to build a good reputation and a professional portfolio (save your work!). Once your booking/Job is up, you hopefully networked and can get recommendations to your next job through your new network.
It’s super competitive when applying at larger companies with 1,000+ employees because hundreds of people are applying for the same job. Recruiters and hiring managers have to filter through all the potential candidates using keywords that help sort our resumes to reflect the job posting. They do not read every resume.
1) Add relevant keywords to your resume: If the job posting says the skills required are “Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc., attention to detail, fast-paced environment, color theory, etc.…” You want to ensure your resume is strategically written to include those words so that when they are filtering resumes, yours is at the top of the list. Even the most talented candidate resumes can get pushed down if they don’t have the correct wording.
2) I’ve heard some companies are starting to use AI tools to filter through resumes before they get to the recruiter, so using terms that connect directly to the job posting is a must, or your resume will get filtered out.
If you’re unsure what terms would be most important to add, pretend you are hiring a designer. If you have to pick 1-5 words to filter hundreds of resumes, what five words from the job posting would you choose?
Here are some good job boards for our industry to start with:
https://jobs.motionographer.com/
Don’t apply for motion design; discover company names and contact producers on LinkedIn. They have graphic design teams in-house. This site has a bunch of small to medium size shops.
https://www.behance.net/joblist
https://dribbble.com/jobs
https://designjobs.aiga.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/
Big companies:
https://www.disneycareers.com/en/search-jobs
https://www.nbcunicareers.com/find-a-job
https://careers.paramount.com/go/All-Current-Job-Opportunities/8710000/
https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results?has_remote=true
https://www.metacareers.com/jobs
https://careers.tiktok.com/
https://www.voxmedia.com/pages/careers-jobs
https://www.amazon.jobs/en/
Also, think outside the box. What entertainment or content do you consume daily? For example, do you like sports? Maybe the local sports team or venue is hiring:
https://www.msgentertainment.com/careers/
https://careers.nba.com/teams/
You can also check local hospitals, law firms, architect firms, or college job boards for open designer jobs.
Be relentlessly persistent,
I wish you the best of luck!
It’s normal to have difficulty getting your foot in the door. You will have a better chance if you apply for design jobs at a smaller local ad agency, design shop, edit house, or post-production studio (10+ employees) because they have fewer applicants than the bigger companies.
1) Check Google Maps for graphic design studios in your state or a nearby state you’re willing to commute to, then do a search on LinkedIn for their producers. Studio producers are always looking to hire all levels of talent. They usually are the point of contact before the Art or Creative Directors.
2) Connect with them and send them a short introduction note with a link to your portfolio (make one, even if it’s personal projects).
3) They may or may not reply, and that’s ok. Don’t message them again if they don’t. Either way, you will end up on their artist roster and may get a call one day for a booking.
4) Once your foot is in the door, it’s time to build a good reputation and a professional portfolio (save your work!). Once your booking/Job is up, you hopefully networked and can get recommendations to your next job through your new network.
It’s super competitive when applying at larger companies with 1,000+ employees because hundreds of people are applying for the same job. Recruiters and hiring managers have to filter through all the potential candidates using keywords that help sort our resumes to reflect the job posting. They do not read every resume.
1) Add relevant keywords to your resume: If the job posting says the skills required are “Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc., attention to detail, fast-paced environment, color theory, etc.…” You want to ensure your resume is strategically written to include those words so that when they are filtering resumes, yours is at the top of the list. Even the most talented candidate resumes can get pushed down if they don’t have the correct wording.
2) I’ve heard some companies are starting to use AI tools to filter through resumes before they get to the recruiter, so using terms that connect directly to the job posting is a must, or your resume will get filtered out.
If you’re unsure what terms would be most important to add, pretend you are hiring a designer. If you have to pick 1-5 words to filter hundreds of resumes, what five words from the job posting would you choose?
Here are some good job boards for our industry to start with:
https://jobs.motionographer.com/
Don’t apply for motion design; discover company names and contact producers on LinkedIn. They have graphic design teams in-house. This site has a bunch of small to medium size shops.
https://www.behance.net/joblist
https://dribbble.com/jobs
https://designjobs.aiga.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/
Big companies:
https://www.disneycareers.com/en/search-jobs
https://www.nbcunicareers.com/find-a-job
https://careers.paramount.com/go/All-Current-Job-Opportunities/8710000/
https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results?has_remote=true
https://www.metacareers.com/jobs
https://careers.tiktok.com/
https://www.voxmedia.com/pages/careers-jobs
https://www.amazon.jobs/en/
Also, think outside the box. What entertainment or content do you consume daily? For example, do you like sports? Maybe the local sports team or venue is hiring:
https://www.msgentertainment.com/careers/
https://careers.nba.com/teams/
You can also check local hospitals, law firms, architect firms, or college job boards for open designer jobs.
Be relentlessly persistent,
I wish you the best of luck!