4 answers
Natalie
Student
Pasadena, California
1
Question
Asked
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How to find a career I will enjoy but also make a stable income for my future ?
Currently in my second year of college and getting my GE done, I have concerns about the career I want to pursue. I am afraid that I will not be good enough at this subject to turn it into a job. Can I still pursue graphic design if I have no talent for it? I also wonder if majoring in graphic design still be a successful career in the future with the constant advancing technology (AI).
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4 answers
Sagar Picha
QA Manager
2
Answers
Princeton, New Jersey
Updated
Sagar’s Answer
Hi Natalie,
I hope you're doing well. It's normal to feel fear or doubt when trying something new. You're not alone in this. Today, you can easily find information on your phone. Check out YouTube, podcasts, and news about graphic design. Learn about the latest trends and innovations.
Use tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to deepen your understanding. With these resources, you can confidently pursue a career in graphic design. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and you'll see great results.
Wishing you all the best.
Learn from Chatgpt, Youtube
Keep on reading things happening in that space, new innovations etc
I hope you're doing well. It's normal to feel fear or doubt when trying something new. You're not alone in this. Today, you can easily find information on your phone. Check out YouTube, podcasts, and news about graphic design. Learn about the latest trends and innovations.
Use tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini to deepen your understanding. With these resources, you can confidently pursue a career in graphic design. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and you'll see great results.
Wishing you all the best.
Sagar recommends the following next steps:
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach, Mentor
1209
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Natalie,
I am wondering if you really, objectively have "no talent for graphic design" or if you are just having a bit of imposter syndrom (like so many of us do) and are feeling a bit insecure? If you are getting your GE done, have you even had a lot of classes in your major? Did you fail any classes or get feedback to the effect that you "have no talent"? If the answer is no, you are probably doing just fine.
In every field, there is raw talent and then there is putting in the work, practicing and getting better. The raw talent can be very flashy and impressive. But the hard work, showing up and getting the job done often wins in the long run.
I take it you still enjoy graphic design or you wouldn't want to continue. But if you are feeling insecure or overwhelmed, maybe it's time to take stock and sit down with your academic advisor or a trusted professor to discuss your concerns and performance and the progress you are making so far. If they are happy with you, I don't see any reason to give it up (unless of course you have your sights on a different major).
I think graphic design can lead to lots of interesting careers, but you may have to define them for yourself. Of course, AI will take a bite out of the lower-level market, but I think there is still room for originality and human ideas.
.
Have a look at jobs that are at the intersection of design, psychology/consumer research, tech and human-computer interaction like UX/UI design. In large companies this might be 4 different departments. In smaller companies, there might be one person doing all these rolls. Learn how to use AI as an assistant, learn basic website design, learn methods of qualitative and quantitative consumer research and design and you should be good.
Or try to break into the more artsy side and get into book illustration.
Or look at creative data visualization. You'd need to learn some data science, but mainly learn the storytelling to get the information in the data across to people in a creative way. Check out the Data Visualization Society.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
I am wondering if you really, objectively have "no talent for graphic design" or if you are just having a bit of imposter syndrom (like so many of us do) and are feeling a bit insecure? If you are getting your GE done, have you even had a lot of classes in your major? Did you fail any classes or get feedback to the effect that you "have no talent"? If the answer is no, you are probably doing just fine.
In every field, there is raw talent and then there is putting in the work, practicing and getting better. The raw talent can be very flashy and impressive. But the hard work, showing up and getting the job done often wins in the long run.
I take it you still enjoy graphic design or you wouldn't want to continue. But if you are feeling insecure or overwhelmed, maybe it's time to take stock and sit down with your academic advisor or a trusted professor to discuss your concerns and performance and the progress you are making so far. If they are happy with you, I don't see any reason to give it up (unless of course you have your sights on a different major).
I think graphic design can lead to lots of interesting careers, but you may have to define them for yourself. Of course, AI will take a bite out of the lower-level market, but I think there is still room for originality and human ideas.
.
Have a look at jobs that are at the intersection of design, psychology/consumer research, tech and human-computer interaction like UX/UI design. In large companies this might be 4 different departments. In smaller companies, there might be one person doing all these rolls. Learn how to use AI as an assistant, learn basic website design, learn methods of qualitative and quantitative consumer research and design and you should be good.
Or try to break into the more artsy side and get into book illustration.
Or look at creative data visualization. You'd need to learn some data science, but mainly learn the storytelling to get the information in the data across to people in a creative way. Check out the Data Visualization Society.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Raquel White
Change Management & Communciations
2
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Raquel’s Answer
Hi Natalie! Great to hear you have an interest in graphic design - and completely ok if you are new to this field! As someone experienced in marketing & communications in a corporate setting, I naturally have dabbled in graphic design since it touches everything: the apps we use, the way want to present communications (both to people inside our company and the clients our business is serving), as well as how we want to present ourselves with our own personal brand through resumes, etc.
I think graphic design has become even more relevant with changes brought by AI! You can think of AI as more of an accelerator to boost your work, rather than something that will replace our unique human expertise & judgement. With AI changing ways of working and how we interact with services in every industry, there is a huge need for designers who specialize in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design - both very much about elegant graphic design. As companies and organizations figure out how to embed AI into their services, customer engagement, etc. they need the help of graphic designers to figure out how AI shows up in the apps they offer - designing how people can easily use AI features intuitively, know how to perform the task at hand, and where they can quickly go for human support as needed.
I encourage you to look into the area of UX/UI and see if you are interested, and if you are, there are many certifications you can pursue to gain the skills you need. You can also find free courses around UX/UI through Youtube or sites like Udemy.
Best wishes for your career journey ahead!!
I think graphic design has become even more relevant with changes brought by AI! You can think of AI as more of an accelerator to boost your work, rather than something that will replace our unique human expertise & judgement. With AI changing ways of working and how we interact with services in every industry, there is a huge need for designers who specialize in user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design - both very much about elegant graphic design. As companies and organizations figure out how to embed AI into their services, customer engagement, etc. they need the help of graphic designers to figure out how AI shows up in the apps they offer - designing how people can easily use AI features intuitively, know how to perform the task at hand, and where they can quickly go for human support as needed.
I encourage you to look into the area of UX/UI and see if you are interested, and if you are, there are many certifications you can pursue to gain the skills you need. You can also find free courses around UX/UI through Youtube or sites like Udemy.
Best wishes for your career journey ahead!!
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
64
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hello Natalie,
A lot of this fear lives in our head and I say that with empathy, because I’ve been there. Doubting yourself doesn’t mean you lack ability; it usually means you care.
Two things really matter here.
1. AI isn’t your enemy. It’s one of the best tools you can use to build skill and confidence. Use it to practice, explore ideas, and learn faster. Designers who know how to work with AI will be stronger, not replaceable.
2. Confidence comes from evidence. As you build a small portfolio, real projects you can point to, then you start believing, “I can do this".
Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk and her book Presence changed how I see my life and career. Looking back, I truly wish I had known this 20 years ago: confidence often comes after action, not before.
Wish you the best!
-- Siva.
Take your first action by watching this 15mins TED talk, then ask the question again.
A lot of this fear lives in our head and I say that with empathy, because I’ve been there. Doubting yourself doesn’t mean you lack ability; it usually means you care.
Two things really matter here.
1. AI isn’t your enemy. It’s one of the best tools you can use to build skill and confidence. Use it to practice, explore ideas, and learn faster. Designers who know how to work with AI will be stronger, not replaceable.
2. Confidence comes from evidence. As you build a small portfolio, real projects you can point to, then you start believing, “I can do this".
Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk and her book Presence changed how I see my life and career. Looking back, I truly wish I had known this 20 years ago: confidence often comes after action, not before.
Wish you the best!
-- Siva.
Siva recommends the following next steps: