by Zoe Zorka
As a graphic designer, you're always going to be in demand. We are living in an increasingly digital world now, and all you need to be able to do is offer something to the many brands out there that will benefit from your huge lists of skills. The thing is, every designer reaches a point where they hit their ceiling, whether that be in their skills or in their career. Before you know it, your skills online are starting to duplicate out of habit - and habits like that can kill your career aspirations.
The key is to be able to further your career and enhance your skills as a graphic designer. Getting to that point won't always be easy, but that doesn't make it impossible! So, how can you improve your skills and take your career to the next level? Let's check out five great ways to do it.
Go Back To School
It may sound like you're taking a step backwards, but sometimes you have to step back to leap forward. Getting a product design masters doesn't just enhance your skills; it furthers your thinking. You can choose to step sideways in your career if you reach a brick wall, and product design can give you a new scope to offer something better to your clients. When you add more skills to your resume, you are able to offer more, and can thus improve your career at the same time.
Ask For Feedback
Sometimes, you need to ask for feedback from your employer and your clients to know whether you are on the right track with anticipating the needs of others. Graphic design is all about taking someone else’s ideas and bringing them to life. Taking a brief, and conjuring something beautiful out of it takes practice, and you can further your career when you do this.
Start A Side Hustle
Starting your own side project can help you to improve your skills outside the limitations of your current job. If you’re working in a specific area of graphic design, then start something that can spin some cash outside of that. Use your free time to work on something new and invest yourself in improvement. You never know, you could start a whole business out of it!
Experiment With New Avenues
There are so many different ways to be a graphic designer. Some work on signage and others remain solely online. You can further your career by opening your mind to other specialities of graphic design. It’s like choosing to play a violin with one string: you don't want to be that person that can only go so far and nothing further awaits!
Speak To Other Designers
Ask how other designers became successful and you can learn a few tricks you didn't even know existed. Once you converse with people in your field, you can understand exactly how you can take steps into furthering your career and being better at your job. All you have to do is ask!