There are many routes into the design industry and no ‘one way’ is right. Some will have completed a ‘design related’ degree which could range from your classic Graphic Design, to Illustration, Visual Arts, Communication Design, or even Animation and Motion Design, to name a few. These courses will typically leave a graduate with a portfolio filled with projects completed during their course, and often have the benefit of practising lecturers’ feedback, opportunities for placements, mentors and collaborating with fellow classmates, as well as an encouragement to explore more lateral thinking and problem solving skills.

Others may have built up their own portfolio through self-teaching and freelancing. There is a huge volume of tutorials, courses and classes to teach you every aspect of design practise, software tips, and business management to tackle any brief. With the upside of no student debt! 

If you’re lacking experience, you could reach out to your favourite studio or agency and ask about an internship to build up some invaluable work experience.

What’s most important is your portfolio. This could be a website, a PDF or an animated showreel of a few of your top projects. These don’t need to be client projects either. Sometimes a great self-initiated project is the perfect way to communicate what your passions are, and what you’d like to do more of. Once you have your cracking portfolio then it’s down to you to get it into the hands of those you want to hire you. Check out the links below for more advice on creative resources, portfolios and getting hired.