The $0.00 Design Degree
You don’t need to spend money to become a graphic designer. You don’t even need a design degree to secure a design job! When I was teaching myself design, I had limited financial resources, but plenty of time and a strong conviction that design was the right career path for me so I scoured the internet to discover every free resource available.
While pursuing a design degree or taking classes has its advantages, like having mentors to guide you and potentially offer a head start, these options come at a cost. Design education can be expensive, and finding a mentor is not always guaranteed. If you want to learn how to design without spending a dime, keep reading for my tips on teaching yourself how to design for free and discovering free design resources.
Step One: Research
Before diving into the process of learning how to design, research different types of design to identify your specific interests. Medium, a great resource and my go-to for reading on the train, features posts from designers discussing everything from the latest design trends to their personal journeys in the field.
Use LinkedIn to understand how design jobs are described and identify the overarching qualifications required, like proficiency in common design software, understanding various design techniques, and having specific projects showcased in your portfolio. This preparation will help you align your skills and portfolio with the expectations of potential employers.
Step Two: Create
Start designing some spec work. You can either make up a client project on your own, or use one of these free creative brief generators. They will give you a fake client/business name and a project, my personal favorite is Briefbox.Me. You can also use: FakeClients.com, Brief.Biz, or Sharpen.Design. I don’t recommend spending money on design software yet, but you can use a free program like GIMP, Canva, PicMonkey, or Pixlr to create any design that comes to mind.
For the next four weeks, commit to designing one project per week. This will not only showcase your design skills, but also test your consistency in delivering designs. Remember, each project is an opportunity to experiment, learn, and refine your aesthetic.
Step Three: Tutorials
After gaining a basic understanding of the role of a graphic designer, the various types of design, and design software, it's time to delve into tutorials to enhance your skills. Familiarizing yourself with industry-standard design programs is essential, and three that stand out for graphic designers are Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Figma.
Adobe Photoshop:
Primarily used for photo editing and manipulation.
Ideal for retouching images, adjusting colors, and creating digital graphics.
Adobe Illustrator:
Designed for creating vector-based graphics, like logos, icons, and symbols.
Allows for the creation of scalable and high-resolution images without loss of quality.
Adobe InDesign:
Geared towards print-based work, such as brochures, magazines, and posters.
Offers advanced layout and typesetting tools for creating print or digital publication materials.
Figma
A tool primarily used for UX/UI and product design.
Enables you to design, prototype, develop, and collect feedback in a collaborative environment.
When I was teaching myself how to design, I used YouTube and LinkedIn Learning to find free tutorials. The Adobe Help Center also has free videos and project files to help you get started. When you’re looking for free tutorials, search: [Software Name Overview] or [Software Name Beginner Tutorial] and watch the highest-rated recently posted videos you can find.
I recommend starting by just watching the tutorial, don’t even follow along with the video. Just watch to see how the software works, then rewatch the video and follow along. Start with an overview video then move to a project tutorial with project file downloads.
Step Four: Practice, Practice, PRACTICE
Adobe offers a free 7 day creative cloud trial which comes with EVERY. ADOBE. SOFTWARE. Make the most of this trial by starting when you're ready, making sure you have ample time to hone your design skills and craft 2-3 standout portfolio projects.
While it may take a few tutorial videos to grasp the basics of Adobe software, once you've got the hang of it, break away from tutorial projects and initiate your own practice projects. Begin with manageable tasks like crafting a logo or editing a personal photo. Remember, starting small is the key – progress takes time.
If you’re unsure if design is the right industry for you and you don’t want to waste the 30-day free Adobe trial or spend any money. Try designing using free programs like Adobe Spark, PicMonkey, Canva, or Microsoft Publisher.
Step Five: Build a Portfolio
Once you've crafted 2-3 impressive spec projects, it's time to curate your portfolio. Tailor your presentation to your design specialization – if you're a print designer, consider printing your work and assembling it into a physical portfolio. For digital designers, a portfolio website is essential. While I wouldn't advise investing in a paid website until you've completed at least 3-4 end-to-end projects, there are fantastic free alternatives like Carbonmade, Adobe Portfolio, or Behance.
Step Six: Portfolio Review
Once your portfolio is ready, take the next step in your graphic design journey by seeking feedback from seasoned designers. Reach out to designers on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram, share your portfolio links for a review or propose a sit-down session.
Constructive feedback is invaluable, but it's crucial not to take it personally. As a novice designer, your attachment to your work is natural, but remember that design is client-centric. While some designers may suggest adjustments to enhance your job prospects, stay true to your aesthetic. Your passion and personal projects are integral parts of your journey; if you love a particular project, keep it in your portfolio, labeling it as a passion or side project. Never feel compelled to alter your aesthetic based on someone else's opinion.
The design world might appear intimidating at first (I was terrified of Photoshop initially), but by following these steps, I guarantee you'll conquer the learning curve. Acknowledge that learning design takes time, and there may be moments when you feel like giving up – that's perfectly normal. Take occasional breaks but keep going!