What do i need to be a Designer
Making your mark on the design sector is a hard task due to the competitive nature of the design industry. Standing out as a designer and getting your ideas noticed isn’t going to be easy as competition is high and there are many people who share your dreams and ambitions of becoming a successful designer. So what will really help you stand out from the crowd?
Employers nowadays are looking for educated designers; you may wonder why you need a certificate when your portfolio displays your skills, but employers want staff who can work in a team. Having a relevant qualification will show your future employer that you possess all of the skills required to be competent in your job role. Relying solely on your portfolio may hinder your changes because it doesn’t show that you can work under pressure or stick to deadlines and this is why having a bachelors or masters degree is essential.
This doesn’t mean that your portfolio isn’t important. Your portfolio represents you and your skills; hence it is important to only display work that you are really happy with. Creating a good portfolio will help you stand out from the crowd because everyone’s portfolio is unique whereas most potential candidates for the job will have a degree or education in design. Many potential employers will want to understand the ideas behind your creations so it is important that your portfolio highlights your design brief and gives information on the design. It is often the idea for the image which impresses potential employers, rather than the design itself.
Good designers are well known for their creativity and good ideas, so how creative are you? Many people claim to be creative and have great ideas but what you must understand is that part of being a designer means that you have to be creative for the majority of the time – not just when it suits you or you have a good idea. Designers can't really plan ahead. They are given a design brief and must come up with fresh ideas on the spot. Being put under pressure to come up with ideas and designs is stressful and not easy, so can you handle the pressure and work in an environment where you can't predict what work you are going to receive?
Understanding the current design trends and keeping up with them is a vital part of the job. Trends change frequently and it is important that you stay with the times in order to create designs which fit in and are desired by your clients. There are plenty of design magazines or blogs which you can read to help you follow the trends. Reading specialist materials is also recommended because it shows you new techniques which you can utilize. Learning new skills and techniques will help you progress as a designer because technology is ever changing and clients want something unique.
Being a designer means that you have to be willing to learn new skills and improve. You must be creative and able to come up with ideas in a short space of time. Many people believe that designers only need a degree and to be able to draw, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. You must be willing to work hard and constantly improve your own skills in order to move forward.
