Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend three years at university! Graphic design is open to all, and you can enter the profession in under 12 months. Here’s how.
Traditionally, becoming a graphic designer took much longer than a year. First, you were expected to complete a three-year degree. And that usually didn’t include much in the way of practical experience, so you’d probably have to intern for a few months after that to fill in the gaps. Only then could you start applying for your first graphic design jobs.
That was all very well in the days when you could get a grant to go to uni and expect the state to pay your fees (although even then, many couldn’t afford to take that length of time out of the workplace). In 2022, though, with degrees costing £9K a year, and inflation pushing living costs to record levels, it’s an increasingly unattractive option.
It’s not surprising, then, that more and more graphic designers have been finding alternative ways into the profession. Nowadays, it’s common to find that a sizeable number of designers in any agency or in-house design department will have come up through a different route than the traditional degree.
So how can you follow in their footsteps? Read on as we give you some suggestions for becoming a graphic designer in less than a year.
1. Take the Shillington graphic design course
Don’t fancy three years’ study? How about three months?
Shillington’s courses take place at their campuses in the UK, USA and Australia, or you can take classes online, making them accessible to everyone around the world. They’re less about the theoretical study than learning what designers actually do in practice, so you’ll work on real-world briefs, in a studio-like environment, to proper deadlines. That way, you’ll have an industry-ready portfolio the moment you finish, which will get you a long way when it comes to applications and interviews.
This approach to becoming a graphic designer is increasingly popular with school leavers, university graduates looking to build on their degrees, and working professionals looking to switch careers. For more details, visit the
2. Read some foundational books
While art is all about aesthetics, design is about creating something that performs a function. To get your head around the fundamentals of design thinking, it’s important to read some foundational books, and here are a few good ones to start with.
A good complementary read is
As well as the principles of graphic design, it’s also a good idea to research what a design career actually looks like in practice. One of our favourite reads on this theme is
Alternatively, there’s
3. Learn through podcasts
While they’re no substitute for a professional course or instructional book, podcasts are a great way to supplement your learning, especially when you’re in the midst of mundane activities like housework or commuting. Here are some of our top recommendations to help you in your burgeoning career as a graphic designer.
Finally,
4. Put yourself out there
Graphic design isn’t like being a lawyer or electrician: you don’t need to hold a qualification to practise. So once you’ve learned the fundamentals, either through a course or self-study online, there’s nothing to stop you from putting yourself out there as a freelancer and improving your skills through doing.
Of course, winning your first client isn’t easy. Few are going to trust someone with no track record, so there’s a vicious circle you need to break out of there. You can show what you’re made of by posting personal projects and student work online, and if that’s good enough, and you’re lucky, some clients may bite.
Most of the time, though, the most effective route is to target people you know already. Start with friends and family, spread out to co-workers, fellow students, past tutors, and so on. Keep going until you find someone who needs some design work doing, whether that be building a website or crafting a poster. You may be surprised how many people jump at the chance because most people don’t have a clue how to hire a designer and will welcome a familiar, friendly face guiding them through the process.
5. Check the job boards
Once you’re trained and experienced enough to start applying for jobs, freelance roles and internships, finding the right opportunity can become a full-time job in itself. So it pays to cast your net far and wide in order that you don’t miss out. Here are some places to start.
The
Nikky Lyle describes herself as a “creative recruiter with a conscience” and was a D&AD President Judge in 2020. Her
Veteran publication Design Week’s
Get started studying graphic design!
To find out more about studying design on Shillington’s intensive courses, visit