Getting a job as a Graphic Designer in London, or any large town or city, typically involves a combination of education, skills, networking, targeted job searching, and of course using your natural charm. Here’s a short guide to help you:
Education and skills development
You will need to obtain relevant education and qualifications. A degree isn’t mandatory, but it will significantly boost your chances and credentials. There are many graduate courses linked with various graphic design specialisms.
Here are a few examples:
- Graphic Design
- Illustration
- Visual Communication
- Fine Arts
- Digital Design
- Commercial and Advertising Arts
- Web Development
- Motion Graphics
- Games Art
Develop your skills
Keep building your skills using graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. But don’t be afraid to learn new software and technologies. And very importantly, put together a strong online portfolio. Don’t include every piece of work you’ve ever done in it, just the best stuff. Better to have 10 fab pieces that you can talk about than say 20, where some are, well, a bit mid. It’s also great to have a showreel (people love these!).
Do jobs for (virtually) free
Personally, it can be really helpful finding opportunities to work for friends, friends of friends, or to take on other low pressure projects while studying. This provides invaluable experience of working for a client and you can even earn a bit of extra cash too. You never know where it may end up!
Networking
Where possible, attend industry events. These could be seminars, workshops, conferences etc, relating to graphic design. They will offer opportunities to meet other professionals working in the industry and learn about job opportunities.
Join online communities
Join and participate in online forums, social media groups, and platforms like Behance, Dribbble and LinkedIn. You can use these to connect with other designers and potential employers. As well as these platforms, you can use Pinterest to build a portfolio/scrapbook of inspirational work by others. Access Creative College have a whole host of awesome work that’s saved to these platforms, organised into categories (typography, abstract, photo imaging, 3D etc). Often, our tutors browse through some of these projects to unlock an idea.
Stay updated
Keep up with the latest trends, techniques, and technologies in graphic design through online platforms, tutorials, and industry publications. We know it’s sometimes difficult to find the time, but it’s worth the effort! Consider signing up to newsletters or email mailing lists that are graphic design-related to stay in the know, such as InVision.
Seek feedback
Ask for feedback on your portfolio and design work from peers, industry professionals, and even family, to identify areas of strengths and areas for improvement. This will get you used to hearing and responding to critical feedback, which is essential for any creative. You cannot work in isolation.
Job searching
Identify companies that hire graphic designers, particularly those that produce work you like. Research their culture, projects, and design aesthetic to determine if they align with your interests and skills. Regularly check job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, Dribble and Creativepool for graphic design job openings.
Apply Strategically
You will need to tailor a job application, and tweak and customise your CV and covering letter for the job, matching the job requirements. Follow up: If you haven’t heard back within a reasonable timeframe, you can follow up with a polite email to inquire about the status of your application.
Prepare for Interviews
Prepare responses to common interview questions related to the company you are applying for and why you want to work for them. You should do some research to familiarise yourself with the company, recent projects, and clients. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the position. And be prepared to walk interviewers through your portfolio, explaining the design process, challenges (and how you tackled them), and the positive outcomes of each project.
Want to become a Graphic Designer in London?
Kickstart your creative career with Access Creative College London. With our Level 3 Graphic and Digital Design course, you will get the opportunity to:
- Explore and develop new creative technical skills
- Learn to work to a creative brief
- Apply problem solving skills in your designs
- Demonstrate professional skills and behaviours
- Apply your communication skills
Apply online today to take start an exciting digital and creative career path!