Becoming a graphic designer is an exciting and rewarding career path that requires hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn. If you’re eager to explore this field, you’ve taken the first step by acknowledging your interest in becoming a graphic designer. Congratulations!
Now that you’ve made the decision to pursue a career in graphic design, it’s time to start learning the skills and techniques you’ll need to succeed. Whether you’re starting from scratch or have some experience in a related field, there are many resources available to help you along the way.
One approach is to enroll in a graphic design course that will teach you the fundamentals of design, color theory, typography, and software tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. You can also find online tutorials, books, and blogs that cover these topics in depth..
What is the Role of a Teenage Graphic Designer?
Let’s begin your journey to becoming a graphic designer by delving into what exactly it means to be one. While you may have a preconceived notion of what a graphic designer looks like, it’s important to leave behind any stereotypes or clichés. The truth is, anyone can be a graphic designer, and the design industry is comprised of people from all walks of life.
Now, what exactly is a graphic designer? At its core, graphic design involves effectively communicating an idea or concept through visual means. To become a graphic designer, you should possess the ability to take information and transform it into a visual or graphic form. Typically, this information comes in the form of a client brief, and the resulting visual output can take many forms.
As a graphic designer, you are first and foremost a visual communicator. However, the range of responsibilities and tasks that fall under the umbrella of graphic design is vast. Graphic designers are responsible for creating the visuals that surround us on a daily basis, such as branding, advertisements, apps, magazines, packaging, logos, books, maps, and websites. With such a broad range of possibilities, being a graphic designer offers a great deal of versatility and creative expression.
How Much Does a Teenage Graphic Designer Get Paid?
The amount a teenage graphic designer gets paid can vary depending on several factors such as their level of experience, location, and the type of work they do.
In general, teenage graphic designers who are just starting out may earn around minimum wage or slightly above that. However, as they gain more experience and develop a strong portfolio of work, their earnings may increase.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for graphic designers in 2020 was $26.47, which translates to an annual salary of around $55,000. However, it’s important to note that this is the median for all graphic designers and not specifically for teenage designers.
Ultimately, the amount a teenage graphic designer gets paid will depend on their individual circumstances and the value they bring to their clients or employers. It’s important for teenage graphic designers to research industry standards, negotiate fair compensation, and continue to develop their skills and portfolio to increase their earning potential over time.
How to Become a Teenage Mobile App Developer?
How To Become A Teenage Graphic Designer in 8 Steps
Be Creative
If you’ve made it this far, it’s likely that you’ve already accomplished the easy first step towards becoming a graphic designer – being creative. This profession revolves around creativity, so having an abundance of it is essential.
Creativity can be innate or acquired over time, and sometimes it may not surface until years into a career. Nevertheless, as long as you possess this quality, you have the potential to become a graphic designer.
Become a Problem Solver
Graphic designers not only require creativity but also need to possess problem-solving skills. A significant aspect of their job involves generating innovative and visually appealing solutions to the “problems” presented to them by clients.
It’s important to note that problem-solving is not a skill unique to graphic designers; it’s an essential skill for many careers, and you might already have experience with it. Some individuals possess natural problem-solving abilities, while others develop them over time. Although you cannot expect to have all the answers on your first day as a graphic designer, it’s essential to know how to tackle problems head-on.
Becoming a problem solver requires practice, and you can start by incorporating problem-solving exercises into your daily routine. For instance, if you open your refrigerator and find limited ingredients, instead of going to the store to buy more, consider preparing a dish using the available ingredients. If you repeat such exercises frequently, problem-solving will become second nature.
To apply this skill to a graphic design scenario, practice generating potential solutions for client briefs, either by creating your own or utilizing platforms like Briefbox. You don’t need to design anything, just jot down some ideas on paper, and you’ll begin to understand how to become a problem-solving graphic designer.
Learn the Important Graphic Design Tools
To pursue a career as a graphic designer, it is important to have the necessary tools, both physical and digital. The primary tool for a designer is their computer, and the industry standard is an Apple Mac, although a Windows computer can also be used. Other useful physical tools include a tablet, a digital camera, and a drawing tablet like a Wacom, as well as a notebook or sketchbook and a preferred writing instrument.
To become proficient as a graphic designer, it is essential to master certain programs, including Adobe Suite InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop, as well as the digital prototyping app Figma. Shillington offers training in these programs, starting from the basics and providing one-on-one technical guidance, with an emphasis on real-world applications to help students become proficient.
In addition to these core programs, graphic designers may need other apps and programs, such as Slack and Zoom, for effective communication and productivity. It is important to be prepared with the necessary tools before embarking on a career as a graphic designer.
Enrol in a Graphic Design Course
It’s not enough to have all the necessary tools and software to become a graphic designer; you don’t want to fall into the trap of having all the gear but no idea how to use them. If you’re genuinely interested in becoming a graphic designer, you must learn how to use these tools. Assuming you’re already skilled in using a pen and a sketchbook, we’ll skip over that.
Some self-taught designers have acquired the necessary skills to become graphic designers by using online forums, YouTube, and practicing on their own.
There are various options for courses you can take to become a graphic designer, but Shillington’s innovative graphic design course will teach you everything you need to know in just three months if you take it full-time or nine months if you choose part-time. Additionally, our graphic design course is now available online, allowing you to become a graphic designer from the comfort of your own home.
At Shillington, you won’t only learn how to use the programs we mentioned, such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Sketch, but you’ll also acquire the knowledge, theory, and skills necessary to become a successful graphic designer. Our graduates leave Shillington with a wealth of knowledge and prepared to launch their careers as graphic designers.
Understand the Fundamentals
At Shillington, we prioritize teaching the fundamentals of design, particularly the principles of graphic design. These principles are essential for anyone seeking to pursue a career in graphic design, regardless of their chosen path.
Alignment, repetition, contrast, hierarchy, and balance are the five critical principles that form the foundation of successful design. They contribute to creating visually appealing, well-structured designs, and without them, designers cannot go very far.
To give you a quick overview of each principle and how it impacts a design: Alignment sharpens and unifies a design, repetition strengthens it by creating associations, contrast creates emphasis and impact, hierarchy provides organization, and balance provides stability and structure through symmetry or tension.
While these are only brief definitions, they offer a glimpse into the importance of these principles. For a more detailed exploration of the Design Principles, check out this article.
Although this guide provides a useful starting point, understanding and applying these principles takes more than just knowing their definitions. Any skilled graphic designer must be able to use these principles in every design they create to produce visually appealing, well-structured results. Mastering these principles is crucial for anyone who wishes to become a successful graphic designer.
Frequently Asked Questions And Answers
Q: Can I become a teenage graphic designer even if I don’t have any previous experience?
A: Yes, you can. However, it is essential to learn the basics of graphic design before starting your journey. Consider taking online courses or attending workshops to learn design principles, software, and tools.
Q: What software should I learn to become a teenage graphic designer?
A: Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, is the industry standard software for graphic design. However, there are also free alternatives such as Canva, GIMP, and Inkscape that you can use to get started.
Q: Do I need a degree to become a teenage graphic designer?
A: No, you do not need a degree to become a graphic designer. However, having a formal education in graphic design can provide you with a solid foundation and open up more job opportunities.
Q: How can I build my portfolio as a teenage graphic designer?
A: Start by creating designs for family and friends, school projects, or local community organizations. You can also participate in online design contests or freelancing platforms to showcase your skills and build a portfolio.
Q: What skills do I need to become a successful teenage graphic designer?
A: You should have a strong understanding of design principles, typography, color theory, and layout. Attention to detail, creativity, and problem-solving skills are also essential for a successful graphic designer.
Q: How can I find freelance work as a teenage graphic designer?
A: Consider joining freelancing platforms such as Fiverr or Upwork to find freelance work. You can also reach out to local businesses or organizations and offer your services.
Q: Is it necessary to specialize in a particular type of graphic design?
A: No, it is not necessary to specialize in a particular type of graphic design. However, focusing on a particular area of design, such as web design or branding, can help you stand out and develop your expertise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming a teenage graphic designer is an achievable goal with dedication and effort. While formal education is not a requirement, learning the basics of design principles and software is crucial. Building a strong portfolio, developing essential skills such as attention to detail and problem-solving, and finding freelance work can help kick start your career. Specializing in a particular area of design can also help you stand out and excel. Remember that becoming a successful graphic designer takes time, practice, and a willingness to continually learn and grow.