Design is a very competitive field; however there are a handful of things that design students can do to get a head start preparing for their careers. Here are some suggestions for all the design students out there.

  • Go to school

There may be a few designers out there who have the raw talent to forgo a formal education, but most of us aren’t that lucky. Most employers will weigh more heavily on your portfolio of work, but it doesn’t hurt to have a degree or certificate from a quality graphic design program. Art schools like Art Center or RISD always look impressive on a resume, but if that’s not an option most state universities offer dedicated design programs.

  • Have an idea of what you want to do

Don’t expect to just float around after you graduate and do whatever you want to do. Most employers will see that lack of direction as a red flag. Have an idea of what type of design you want to get into once you graduate, and then learn as much about that specific area as you can. Once you get out on your own you can tailor your portfolio and job search to fit the career you want to have.

  • Don’t be afraid to experiment

Go crazy! Make scribble type, violate hierarchy rules, break the grid, and include hand drawn elements with vector elements. Follow design principals and then break them! Design school is when you have the most freedom. You are your own client (most of the time) so push yourself as far as you can. Experiment with different design styles. This will help you learn and grow as a designer.

  • Make a habit of talking about your work

If you are a graduating senior, you need to make a habit of talking about your portfolio. Participating in portfolio reviews is a great way to practice for job interviews. It might also help to show your portfolio to non-designers and explain your work.
This is an extremely important skill as you’ll not only be presenting your work to potential employers, but also to your future clients. Learn how to present your work, tell why you did what you did, what the concept was or what the problem was and how you solved it. Drop the phrases “because it looks good” and “I liked it” from your vocabulary. When presenting your portfolio, walk the viewer through it piece by piece, turning the pages and briefly describing the problem, the concept and solution for each.

  • Know the web

The Internets won’t bite! I saw LOTS of great print work, but not very much web work. Don’t worry if your school does not have a web design class! Search the internet, buy a book and take a crack at it! Don’t be afraid of the web, learn everything you can about designing for it, and even try your hand at HTML and CSS. If that isn’t jiving, at least understand the limitations of designing on the web, and have an idea of what can or can’t be done and don’t forget that you absolutely NEED a portfolio website! And while you are at it start a blog!

  • Be professional on social media

College is a time to have fun, and everyone gets carried away from time to time, but be careful about what you post online. Everything you say on Twitter and every photo you post to Facebook will be available for the world to see, so make sure it is sending the right message about who you are and how you want to be perceived. In today’s social media-crazed world, employers are more frequently researching you online, and any dirt they find can hurt your chances of getting that job.

  • Network

Network, get out and meet people, flash your name and your business card around and let people get to know who you are. Have a few cards in your wallet. You never know when someone will mention that they need a designer.Networking will most definitely get you a job someday and it helps you develop general social skills. Remember to be polite and genuine to everyone you meet. Once you meet them, stay in touch with a phone call or coffee date.

  • Participate online

Networking online can make a big difference too. Give yourself a web presence and a voice and get to know folks online. Use tools like Twitter, Facebook or blogs to interact with folks. Write smart, relevant things and people will notice you. This is another great way to meet people from all over the world.

  • Find an internship or freelance

Both are great ways to get your feet wet in the design field. Many design programs encourage internship opportunities and help you find them, but if not go knocking on doors and asking agencies for internships. Most agencies will have unadvertised opportunities, and many will even pay you a little. If interning isn’t your thing you can always go find your own clients. Friends and family are a great place to start, just be sure you’re compensated fairly for your time.

  • Do personal projects

You don’t have to wait for the right job to do the work you want to do. Make your own projects, pursue your own passions and find your creative outlet aside from your day to day work. Personal projects can be a great way to experiment with a new style or learn a new technique, and are usually more fun and rewarding. If you aren’t sure where to start, take a class project and expand it into something further — take a logo or illustration and place it in a website or design a brochure. Presenting these in your portfolio will show you are self-motivated and passionate about your craft.

  • Don’t be lazy

If you sit back and wait for agencies to start calling and job offers to roll in, you’ll be waiting for a long time! Getting that first job takes a lot of effort, and you’ll likely send out quite a few resumes before you get a call back. Follow up with folks, chase down the jobs you want and show your passion and dedication (without being a bother); people will notice and want to talk to you.

  • Be polite

This is extremely important for students to remember. The creative directors you are calling and interviewing with are all very busy people who are willing to make time to sit and review your work. Treat them with respect; shake their hands firmly; thank them for their time, feedback and the opportunity to talk with them; and then send a handwritten thank you note a few days later. A little politeness goes a long way.

  • Stay humble

It’s important to be proud of your hard work in school, but stay humble enough to remember you’re still a student who has a lot to learn. It’s said that you’ll learn more (and make more mistakes) in your first year in a real job than you did in school, so recognize every opportunity as a chance to learn something and grow as a designer.

  • Look around

Look around you for inspiration. Look at books, magazines, signs, brochures, anything interesting you find, pick it up or take a picture. Inspiration can come from anywhere. Also look at what’s going on in the design world, in your local communities and in larger markets. Find out what other creative’s are doing and what’s already been done, then figure out how to steer clear of it or do it better.

  • Read. Read a lot.

Read everything you can get your hands on — design books, magazines, blogs, anything. Learn about new ideas or techniques, read about what other designers or agencies are doing, look at developing trends, etc. Reading these things will make you a smarter, more well-informed designer. Be a sponge and soak up everything you can find.

  • Document the world

Never leave home without a camera or a sketchbook. You never know where you’ll find great inspiration in your daily travels, so it pays to bring along something to record that inspiration. Take pictures of nature, buildings, places, signs, etc. or sketch interesting layouts, logos, typefaces, etc. Besides, taking photos and sketching are two skills you need to keep sharp throughout your career.

  • Make a list of your dream jobs

If you could have one job for the rest of your life what would it be? Granted that’s not realistic, but what are the positions or companies that really interest you? Make a list of your top companies or desired positions and figure out how to get there. Look at job requirements for those positions, talk to people that work at those companies and set yourself on a path to achieving those goals.

  • Get to conventions

Most design associations and organizations have conferences throughout the year. HOW magazine puts on a conference every year, as does SEGD, while AIGA alternates between a design and a business conference every year. Larger bodies like ICOGRADA will have gatherings all over the world. Many smaller, local design groups will also put together workshops and retreats that are a little more accessible. They’re a great way to get out of your element and meet people from all over the world while you’re learning more about the business.

Credit: http://www.nikibrown.com/designoblog/2009/04/23/5-tips-for-design-students/
http://www.arrowsandicons.com/articles/career-preparation-tips-for-design-students/

Photo credit: knol.google.com/k/the-five-senses
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