3 answers
Abigail
Student
Joplin, Missouri
1
Question
Updated
301 views
How do you best get into the graphic design field after college?
I'm looking to be a graphic designer as my major and I'm not sure what happens after college
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3 answers
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
857
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Abigail,
Graphic design is a great field to enter into. I would recommend that you consider how do you want to learn those graphic design skills. I know some graphic designers who are people who want to create video games. I know others who want to do graphical work to support print or digital media (like websites). I know people who want to use those talents for supporting a business. I have a family member who does work for fast food company who likes to do a lot of really interesting marketing. Where do you think you would like to work? Also as you move through your design program, I think that you should be asking teachers about what kind of jobs are out there. There are some areas that you may not have considered. For example, I am in Learning and Development and I work with a graphic designer to help enhance the training I create, whether it is web-based training or the creation of videos.
You should start now looking at jobs where graphic design is either in the title of the job or in the job requirements. Then think about where you see yourself. You have so many options so consider things like: Who would I like to work for? What graphic work speaks to me (such as logo design, t-shirt design, video graphics, etc)? What do you like doing with graphics and how can that be used in a career?
The field that you have chosen is very exciting. Best of luck in find what you want to do with it.
Gloria
Graphic design is a great field to enter into. I would recommend that you consider how do you want to learn those graphic design skills. I know some graphic designers who are people who want to create video games. I know others who want to do graphical work to support print or digital media (like websites). I know people who want to use those talents for supporting a business. I have a family member who does work for fast food company who likes to do a lot of really interesting marketing. Where do you think you would like to work? Also as you move through your design program, I think that you should be asking teachers about what kind of jobs are out there. There are some areas that you may not have considered. For example, I am in Learning and Development and I work with a graphic designer to help enhance the training I create, whether it is web-based training or the creation of videos.
You should start now looking at jobs where graphic design is either in the title of the job or in the job requirements. Then think about where you see yourself. You have so many options so consider things like: Who would I like to work for? What graphic work speaks to me (such as logo design, t-shirt design, video graphics, etc)? What do you like doing with graphics and how can that be used in a career?
The field that you have chosen is very exciting. Best of luck in find what you want to do with it.
Gloria
Candelaria Cresta
Product Design
9
Answers
Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Updated
Candelaria’s Answer
Hey Abigail, hope you're doing great!
Graphic design opens a lot of doors after college, and the path you take really depends on what you enjoy most. One of the best parts about studying graphic design is how *everywhere* it is. The signs you see on the street, the packaging in every supermarket aisle, restaurant menus, hospital signage, park maps, merchandise, all of that is design!! *Every industry needs it.*
Because design is part of almost everything around us, the possibilities are endless. You can work on logos, branding, merchandising, marketing materials (stands or events), social media, animation, game design, packaging and soooo much more. And if one day you want to move into a related field like UX/UI design, your graphic design background gives you such a strong foundation to start from.
When I was in college, I studied graphic design as my major, but I also took extra classes and online short courses to explore different areas. By the time I graduated, I already had a better idea of which direction I wanted to follow.
The more you explore, the easier it will be to find your path and the amazing part is: whatever direction you choose, there’s a place for design there!
Best of luck!
Candelaria
Graphic design opens a lot of doors after college, and the path you take really depends on what you enjoy most. One of the best parts about studying graphic design is how *everywhere* it is. The signs you see on the street, the packaging in every supermarket aisle, restaurant menus, hospital signage, park maps, merchandise, all of that is design!! *Every industry needs it.*
Because design is part of almost everything around us, the possibilities are endless. You can work on logos, branding, merchandising, marketing materials (stands or events), social media, animation, game design, packaging and soooo much more. And if one day you want to move into a related field like UX/UI design, your graphic design background gives you such a strong foundation to start from.
When I was in college, I studied graphic design as my major, but I also took extra classes and online short courses to explore different areas. By the time I graduated, I already had a better idea of which direction I wanted to follow.
The more you explore, the easier it will be to find your path and the amazing part is: whatever direction you choose, there’s a place for design there!
Best of luck!
Candelaria
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
109
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Abigail,
If you can manage, don't wait until after graduation to get the ball rolling. Look for opportunities to do pro bono work, such as posters or social media graphics for nonprofits, charity events, menus for coffee shops, and so on. Think about your other interests and how they might intersect with your goals.
The field is changing quickly and dramatically, so roles that are available now may look very different when you're out of school. If you can get a foothold by developing some relationships and getting a professional portfolio underway, you'll be in a much better position when you graduate because you'll have had at least some experiences.
Let others know that you're looking for opportunities to do some freelance work and see if you can schedule informational interviews with people who do work that interests you.
Oh--and if you haven't already, I'd get a student membership in AIGA. They offer tons of resources.
Best wishes to you!
If you can manage, don't wait until after graduation to get the ball rolling. Look for opportunities to do pro bono work, such as posters or social media graphics for nonprofits, charity events, menus for coffee shops, and so on. Think about your other interests and how they might intersect with your goals.
The field is changing quickly and dramatically, so roles that are available now may look very different when you're out of school. If you can get a foothold by developing some relationships and getting a professional portfolio underway, you'll be in a much better position when you graduate because you'll have had at least some experiences.
Let others know that you're looking for opportunities to do some freelance work and see if you can schedule informational interviews with people who do work that interests you.
Oh--and if you haven't already, I'd get a student membership in AIGA. They offer tons of resources.
Best wishes to you!