How to Get Into Graphic Design Without a Degree

If you’re a creative person, you may have considered a career in graphic design. But the cost of a three- or four-year college degree—not to mention the time investment—can be off-putting or even downright prohibitive. Does that mean you’ll never be able to work as a graphic designer?

Happily for you, the answer is no. College isn’t the only route to a fulfilling career, and there are plenty of other ways to break into the creative industry. In this post, we’ll show you exactly how to get into graphic design without a degree.

Can you get into graphic design without a degree?

Although many graphic designers do have degrees, it’s not strictly necessary. You will, though, need to demonstrate that you have creative talent and the right skills to turn ideas and concepts into something visually appealing.

For example, an impressive portfolio to showcase these skills can be more important than a degree, and companies may hire entry-level designers based solely on their graphic design work. To build this portfolio, you’ll need to become familiar with industry-standard software.

In graphic design, it’s vital to know the basic design principles of typography, balance, scale, and colour. It may be that you have a background in another form of visual art, such as drawing, painting, or textiles. In this case, you’ll already have a good sense of how design works.

So, can you become a self-taught graphic designer? Yes, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to develop the right skills. You could also take a graphic design certificate program, with online courses that are much shorter and more focused than a degree.

Whether you aim to become a freelance designer or work for an agency, there are a few other relevant skills you’ll need. For example, the ability to communicate effectively with clients, explain your ideas, and understand their requirements.

Free to use image sourced from Pexels

7 Steps to becoming a graphic designer without a degree

How do you start a career in graphic design with no experience? As we mentioned, you can develop your natural skills by taking a short course or by teaching yourself the basics and doing a lot of practice. Here are some more ideas to help you get started.

1. Attend graphic design workshops 

Graphic design workshops are a great way to learn more about the industry and pick up new skills. These generally take place online, either live or pre-recorded. Some are free of charge, while others charge a fee that’s usually quite affordable.

For example, Udemy offers a free Graphic Design Workshop For Beginners, in which you learn by doing projects. Dribbble also runs interactive workshops with leading designers and industry professionals, while MadCap offers beginner-friendly workshops on the basics of graphic design.

2. Invest in graphic design tools and software

If you’re going to teach yourself from scratch or hone your skills before finding work, you’ll need suitable graphic design tools. Apple products are still favoured by the majority of designers and design companies, so get yourself a MacBook plus a high-definition monitor or an iMac if possible. 

Then there’s the software. It’s a good idea to invest in Adobe Creative Cloud, which contains InDesign (page layout program), Photoshop (image editing), and Illustrator (vector drawing and editing), or alternatively, the Affinity tools (Photo, Designer, and Publisher). The digital design app Figma is also useful. It’s easy to find online tutorials for all these tools.

3. Join design communities for networking 

Teaching yourself (and freelancing) can feel pretty lonely, so joining a design community is a good way to interact with like-minded people. As well as friendship and support, you’ll get top tips from more experienced designers—and it might even lead to job opportunities.

Popular design communities include Behance, Dribbble, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Most of them provide free resources such as templates and tutorials and help you stay up to date on new design trends and technology.

4. Hone your graphic design skills through practice

Once you’ve set up your new tools, play around with them and learn exactly what they can do. You could set imaginary briefs for yourself, or ask a friend to do it. You could pretend you’ve been asked to promote the new feature of a collaboration platform or design a logo for a shift management software company—after all, every single business out there needs compelling visuals to differentiate itself from the competition!

It’s also fun to find existing design examples that you’re not very keen on and create improved versions. With enough practice, you’ll not only become familiar with the software but you’ll also develop your unique style.

5. Build a portfolio showcasing your best work

Your portfolio needs to make a great first impression on potential clients or employers, so make sure it reflects your best work and your personal style. 

If you haven’t yet worked in graphic design, this is trickier to do. But you can use the mock designs you’ve created or anything you did in a workshop or on a course. When it comes to this, consider what types of projects you’re most interested in working with and make them your focus, whether it’s SaaS products, marketing content or print media. 

You can showcase your work on community sites, or set up your own with Adobe Portfolio (included with the Creative Cloud). Remember to keep the portfolio updated as you create new artwork and learn new skills, or as your style evolves.

6. Network with other graphic designers

It’s important to get to know other graphic designers, not just for community and collaboration but also for networking purposes. You may meet people through a graphic design course or workshop, or at industry trade shows and conferences.

You can also look for design events in your local area with Design Calendar, and meet other designers online via social media or platforms such as Behance and The Dots. Remember to thank your new contacts for any introductions or opportunities, and return the favour when you can.

7. Gain professional experience

Gaining professional experience is sometimes easier said than done. You can’t get a job without experience, but how do you get experience without a job? Start by volunteering your design skills for a local nonprofit or a friend’s business, as well as advertising on online job boards.

And remember: pretty much all companies across all industries need to collaborate with a graphic designer at some point. Think about, for example, a company selling reporting software for HR departments. While that, in itself, may not seem very “creative” or “visual”, they might still need your help to spruce up their logo, jazz up their website, or craft compelling visuals for a marketing campaign.

Similarly, you may find that your skills and creative flair are required by a healthcare provider that’s looking to make their telehealth system more visually appealing to patients and staff. Don’t limit yourself to specific businesses or industries, and keep your eyes peeled for opportunities in what may seem unlikely places. 

Lastly, you can also research and contact companies you’d like to work for, and ask if they offer internships or entry-level roles. You’ll need a well-crafted resumé that highlights your skills and certifications, plus a cover letter that demonstrates your passion for the industry.

How to start working as a graphic designer

There are several avenues for careers in graphic design. You could become a freelancer, work as an in-house designer for a specific company, or even set up your own design agency. 

Set up a graphic design business 

If you want full control over your workload, and you already have some business skills, you might consider starting your own company. It’s a good idea to specialize in a particular area (web design, logo design, print design) or find a gap in the market, to differentiate you from other businesses.

You could form a business with a fellow designer, and eventually hire others. You’ll need to be great at client communication and have the organizational skills to juggle multiple projects and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines. Be aware of the legal and tax implications of running your own business.

Start freelancing as a graphic designer

Another option is to hire yourself out as a freelance designer. This is an ideal way to gain experience working with a wide range of clients and briefs and to build up your portfolio. You could begin by taking on projects from friends and use sites, such as Twine, to reach potential clients.

You’ll need the ability to come up with ideas and work largely by yourself. You’ll also be responsible for your benefits and taxes. Combined, this means that you’ll have a lot of freedom but you’ll also have to make sure you stay organized and plan your work, especially when it comes to creating a realistic work schedule and not overloading yourself with projects. 

Apply for internships or entry-level positions

While internships don’t usually pay you a wage, they provide valuable experience and skills. And if you impress your colleagues, an internship may lead to full-time employment with that company. Entry-level positions are a great way to hone your skills while earning money, with opportunities for career progression.

Look for entry-level and internship positions on design jobs boards, or by asking local businesses directly. Potential employers might give you a trial—perhaps even a paid one—to evaluate your skills. 

Participate in graphic design community projects

When you’re part of a graphic design community, you can collaborate with other designers in person or online. You can bounce ideas off each other, get new inspiration, and share the workload on big projects.

Some portfolio sites, such as DeviantArt, enable you to participate in group collaborations as well as events and design contests. Other platforms give you the opportunity to work on open-source projects, typically involving design for software.

Final thoughts

So, we’ve explored how to get into graphic design without a degree, and given you some options to try. Whether you want to work in digital design, print, packaging, or advertising, there are lots of ways to get started in graphic design.

People with creative skills will always be in demand, and once you’ve mastered the relevant software and built up your portfolio, you can choose to work for a company or for yourself. Either way, it’s not too late to become a graphic designer!