I've been at this for 20 years or so now. Started back in the 90's in the trenches as an intern at a video game company with zero experience. Coming straight out of rehab, after 10 years of self-abuse, with no college degree, I became an Art Director in three years.

For those just starting out, here's what can help you get going:

1. Talent – You have it or you don't. You can't learn it in college or on the job. But if you don't have any natural talent, you can improve the lack of it through sheer hours devoted to your craft. You can force talent by mastering your craft and emulating the skills of top designers. Do whatever it is you do all the time. For friends, for family, for free, for cheap. Do it for thousands of hours. College helps, but isn't necessary. Going straight to work, entry-level or intern, at a young age, will build your experience enough to succeed. I started working to support myself at 18 and never looked back.

2. Connections – If you don't have them, make them. LinkedIn, family, friends, wherever. I was lucky that my father was doing contract work with a video game company and pushed me to interview there. My entire career happened because of this. If you don't have or make connections, your odds of success are much harder, but still possible through sheer determination and force of will. Getting that internship will help too, that will create connections. Network at the design meetups in your community. Here in DC, there are dozens of free events monthly for free, sponsored by agencies, government, city, design groups and companies. If you don't get yourself out there, you only have yourself to blame.

3. Determination – Never give up. Always negotiate up. Always seek to move up the ladder, but only if you are ready. Get what's yours. Don't settle for staying where you are. But know when to ask, timing is everything. In a review with your boss? Ask about your career path. Ask about salary, but be subtle and professional. Hard work is good, but it's not enough. Getting the job done and on time is the expectation. Never waver from your inner strength. Led it guide but not force you. Be smart with it.

4. Inspiration/Perspiration – You ever hear the phrase "Love what you do and you'll never work another day again?" Well, it's still work, but make sure you care about what you're doing or it will show. Make sure you really love to design, otherwise your work will be lackluster. Put that love into the details, the craft. Be a perfectionist. Do high quality work. Measure everything. Use hierarchy and color theory. Master typography. Learn photo manipulation and cropping. Understand grid systems. Don't just be inspired by graphic design, but everyday design. Observe the design details in objects and if the form followed function. Care about the person who will be looking at your design (not the boss, though that matters, but the person using what it is you're designing).

5. Tools – Master your tools. Know the key commands. Learn the tools of your trade inside and out. Stay up to date on the latest tools. Watch videos, read tutorials, browse sites. Get inspired on Dribbble. Find design heroes to worship (not just web heroes, but historical design gods like Eames, Bass, Rams, Glaser, Vignelli and Rand). Emulate, but don't copy them. Don't outright steal, but remix. Take the root of an idea and make it yours. Innovate.

6. Career Path – Early on, you just need to learn the ropes and master them, but think about where you want to be long-term. Are you more interested in being a leader and climbing the ladder or just want to design forever? If you are passionate about design, you may want to just work up to a mid-level spot and ride that out. Going higher up becomes less about design and more about office politics, business, and management. Think about what suits you best.


What not to do:

• Make demands / be overly aggressive
• Be half-assed (Give your all, every time)
• Worry about what other people think
• Get involved in office politics
• Try this without any natural or "forced" talent
• Get sidetracked by partying, relationships, life (stay focused)



Get what yours. It's out there waiting for you. If you don't grab it, someone else will. Probably someone less deserving.

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*Effasig*

you got an instagram?


"Get ready....for your blessing....."

Thanks.

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*Effasig*

i don't believe in talent but i can clap to all this

curious to know.

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*Effasig*

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/some-experts-think-no-matter-how-much-you-practice-if-you-dont-have-natural-talent-youll-probably-never-be-best-180952045/?no-ist

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*Effasig*

there are people in the creative fields that just don't "get it" and never really will, you see it in music, where someone can technically play or sing really well, but their music just kind of sucks, and someone with little formal training but great imagination and drive can make something dope out of anything.

People should do what they want, but you are probably best suited to something you have at least somewhat of a natural aptitude for as opposed to swimming against the tide, especially if it's something you want to do as a career.

Basically, I'm saying I agree.

... where you can climb the ladder easier. sometimes they're handing out titles to make up for lack of other opportunities.

fake it 'til you make it, if need be.

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*Effasig*

I would add find a mentor. Someone who you look up to that can give you advice.

I wouldn't be where I am today without my mentor who originally hired me as an intern at a small shop 7 years ago. Not only did he teach me a ton about design, we've hooked each other up with jobs a few times since and are working together again now at a level I wouldn't have imagined possible before.

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http://www.soundcloud.com/sectachrome

Whether you just latch onto someone you admire early on or even later in your career. I had a great mentor when I hit 40! He was a couple years younger, but full of wisdom and opened the box for me in many ways.

I was lucky enough to have an older sister who was already a seasoned designer by the time i was getting in the game. She saved me the need to go to college, although I wish I could have gone to a good design school.

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*Effasig*

@silentintellect

its weird, when I go to design meetups I want to puke and punch everyone in the face

I connect with people but its more to talk shop, I've never ever ever had the game work for me like that.

i think its probably because I'm too...quiet/humble/understated and I know what I don't know so I downplay everything and let my work speak for itself, I know its a loss for me but I've managed to climb the ladder, however now I DO realize that I'm about to hit the ceiling - I just went senior for a global firm and the next step (if I play the game) is either going director level or C level and thats a whole uncomfortable concept for me but I get it.

edit: I should say that I agree with #2 100%, I've played the game a particular way and things have worked out a way where I'm good but I've never been in avante garde/ "cool" areas of design because I'm not connected to folks who are doing cool shit.

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https://soundcloud.com/swageyph/yph-die-with-me

For the last 10 years, I have been the production manager for a gov't publication. I see a lot of young designers now, who have such a narrow focus in style and talent, that I feel like they are limiting themselves from finding a good job.

Yeah, I know you consider yourself an illustrator, but what if a lucrative job requires some photo retouching or template building?

My career in design and publishing started in the early 90's when I was working as an intern with a daily newspaper, and also as an asst. manager at a Kinko's. I was doing newspaper layout and at Kinko's a ton of production work designing business cards, invitations, posters...etc. At the time none of that was what I wanted to be doing design-wise...but I was learning. I was able to satisfy myself creatively by doing side hustle jobs like party flyers and mixtape covers.

After the newspaper and Kinko's I started working prepress for a service bureau, and that taught me the ins and outs of the tools of trade. Still not a creatively satisfying as I might have wanted but it put me in a good position to jump on a job with a national magazine publishing house.

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“There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn.” -Albert Camus