Hard Learned Lessons After Design School: What You Need To Know
Before you get to reading this value-packed blog I did want to mention and be completely transparent that some of the recommendations do have affiliate links(*). Meaning that if you decide to sign up through me (at no extra cost to you, of course), I get a percentage of a sale. But I wanted to assure you that what I recommend I have used has helped me in my business.
I grew up loving anything creative or art-related as I feel like most artists or designers do. I enjoyed painting, scrapbooking, and drawing. I wasn’t sure what I would do once I started college. How could I find a path that combined my love for art and creating? This is when I found that graphic design was an option and was what I majored in college.
I learned a lot from the design curriculum at the school I went to. My professor’s taught us the basics and foundations of design. Such as principles of design in typography, layout, the history of art and design, and how to use the programs that we were going to need for our careers. They exposed students to different parts of the industry. I enjoyed experimenting and learning all that we did. They taught the value of constructive critiques. There were a lot of positives to my time in school.
However, there is only so much that they can teach you in your time at university. After graduating I was met with some hard-learned lessons that I was not prepared for. I will mention, that just because it is hard doesn’t mean it’s bad. Some of the difficult things we face in life strengthen us in areas we need to improve on, now that doesn’t minimize the fact that it’s hard when you go through it, I do get that. This is why I wanted to share what I have come to learn. I hope this will help you even if it's to bring awareness or new understanding. I can only speak based on the experiences that lead to me having a design business.
You Don’t Have To Do It All:
When in school there was so much pressure to create fresh original work for all that you did, which I understand as a creative that is a part of how we exercise that muscle. But I will say that it’s okay to ask others to help you out in areas that you may not be as skillful in. Now I am not saying it’s okay to take or copy. It's more about learning what are your strengths and what are your weaknesses. It's more productive to delegate work that you're not as excited to do to others that are exceptional at it. For example, it would have been difficult to brand my business because I would most likely go back and forth on how I should brand it instead I reached out to a designer that was an expert to help brand my business. They did a better job than I could if I did it myself. Also when there are several parts of your business moving at the same time you may not have the time to do it all yourself. Find ways to delegate to save time. If you do social media posts for example Canva is a great option to edit the design to match your brand with the colors and fonts even using a template but designing it to make it your own. I use Canva occasionally. I usually like to make my designs. To save time I have set up a template for myself in photoshop or illustrator to have ready. Just a friendly reminder you don’t have to do it all yourself.
The power of Passion Projects:
Typically in school for your design portfolio, it is prompted by your professors and projects that they gave you. This is great when learning and starting. You need to start somewhere and this gives you the chance to try out those areas of design. I recommend though to create your passion projects based on what you love to do. That will help you get the kind of work you want to do and have more joy doing it. Try experimenting on things you feel you might enjoy that you might not have done in school. This will help find your niche.
Niche Down:
If you were in school or are in school they teach you to know various areas of design. You are taught to be more of a generalist and this just occurs because they are wanting you to be prepared for projects you will have to do in all these areas. However, based on my experience after college, finding an area that you enjoy and truly becoming an expert in that area serves to benefit you more. The reason for it is because people will trust you since you are an expert and the quality of what you can achieve is seen in that area. Niching will take some time but that’s okay just keep finding what you enjoy.
Collaboration over competition:
I know when you're in school they tell you all the time to enter competitions. You are even competing against your classmates. Competition can at times hinder the innovative creation that can come from collaboration. I have witnessed some amazing projects come out of a group of creative people coming together on something they wanted to see happen. You have so much more fun when you come alongside other designers that enjoy creativity and are willing to try something that may or may not work but the fun is in the ideas being exchanged, the talks that you get to have, and the ingenuity in what you experiment. You make great memories and grow closer in your community.
Change and new things are a part of life and we won't always know how to do things we may want to achieve but it is important to have a spirit of willingness to learn and grow. That’s what I came to realize, it’s the difficulties that continue to shape me. But I don't want to leave you at that. I learned from some great designers and teachers online and came to find some great resources. I wanted to share those with you. For you to be more equipped with the people I learned from. I will link some great resources on design, business, creativity, and freelancing.
Business:
Art Meet Money with Loomier Co.*
Passion Projects:
Niche:
Our Kind Studio on finding your niche
What are some hard lessons that you learned from after design school?
