How to Become a Graphic Designer in 3 Months

For many aspiring designers, the prospect of entering into a new career may be daunting because of the large implied time commitment. However, dedicated students can work around this and greatly accelerate the process of learning graphic design skills. It will take focus and dedication to achieve, but if you put your mind to it, it is possible to become trained to enter the professional world as a Graphic Designer in as little as three months' time. Most of this time will be spent on training, but students will also want to take care of professional development work during this time.

What is a Graphic Designer?

A Graphic Designer is a creative professional who combines text and visually appealing imagery to share a message with an audience. This could be through advertising, social media, or product packaging, to name a few. They are well-versed in design principles like color and typography and are committed to staying up-to-date on the latest trends. Whether they work for an agency or freelancer, they collaborate with clients and other team members to create high-quality designs that appeal to new and existing customers. 

In addition to proficiency in professional design programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, a successful Graphic Designer must also work well with others. Graphic Designers rarely work alone, and since their job is to create a product that matches a client's vision, they must be willing to accept feedback and suggestions from others. Time management skills are also crucial for Graphic Designers; since most of them work freelance, they often work on multiple projects for many clients simultaneously. 

Read more about what a Graphic Designer does.

A Closer Look at Graphic Design Skills

Understanding Design Principles

A fundamental aspect of becoming a Graphic Designer is understanding core design principles. It’s common for aspiring designers to begin with elements like color theory, the process of knowing how colors interact and how to use them to create harmonious designs and typography, the art of arranging text in a readable and aesthetically pleasing manner. Much of this function includes choosing fonts, understanding typefaces, and mastering spacing and alignment. Additionally, layout and composition principles guide designers in organizing visual elements on a page, ensuring balance, contrast, and focus. Mastering these principles allows designers to create professional designs that resonate with audiences, helping to build a strong basis for future creative endeavors.

Master Design Software

Becoming proficient in using industry-standard design software is a crucial step for any aspiring designer. Adobe Photoshop is one of the most commonly used and powerful tools for editing images. It offers both basic and advanced techniques for manipulating photos or creating intricate graphics. Learning Photoshop involves understanding layers, masks, filters, and adjustment tools to produce these high-quality visuals. Adobe Illustrator, on the other hand, is the standard for creating vector graphics, which are used for logos, icons, and scalable illustrations. Becoming confident with using Illustrator means mastering its pen tool, shapes, and paths to craft precise and detailed artwork, as well as understanding grids, typography, and the integration of images and text. Together, these skills form the technical backbone of a graphic designer’s toolkit and allow them to execute their creative visions.

Creative Thinking

Creative thinking, often referred to as the heart of design, involves several key components. The process generally begins with concept development, the initial stage where ideas are generated and refined into workable concepts. This process requires brainstorming, sketching, and iterating on ideas to find the best solution to a design problem. Visual storytelling is another skill that helps designers to convey messages through imagery and design. Moving on, problem-solving through design is about finding creative solutions to visual challenges, whether it's making a brand stand out or designing a user-friendly interface. This skill requires a blend of creativity and practicality, ensuring that designs are not only visually appealing but also functional and effective. Developing these creative thinking abilities is an excellent way for designers to approach projects with innovation and strategic insight.

Technical Skills for Graphic Designers

Technical skills, outside of the software skills discussed above, help designers produce professional-quality work. There are a myriad of technical skills one can try to master, but fundamentally, understanding file formats and resolution is crucial, as different projects require different specifications. For instance, print designs need high-resolution images and specific file formats like PDFs, while digital designs might use lower resolutions and formats like JPEG or PNG. Knowing the difference between print design and digital design is also important, as print focuses on creating materials for physical output and must consider factors like color accuracy and paper quality. Digital design, however, involves creating graphics for screens, meaning one must have knowledge of web standards, screen resolutions, and user experience.

Soft Skills for Success

In addition to technical expertise, soft skills are another must for a successful graphic design career. First, time management and organization are critical, as designers often work on multiple projects at one time, each with varying deadlines. Being able to prioritize different tasks and manage time efficiently guarantees that all projects are completed on schedule, even leaving extra time to plan for hiccups. Confident and strong communication with clients is another key skill. This is because designers must be able to understand client needs, articulate their design choices, and handle feedback constructively. It can be challenging, as it involves active listening, clear explanations, and maintaining a professional demeanor, even in stressful situations. Developing these soft skills enhances a designer’s ability to work in a professional environment, opening the possibility of more projects and career growth.

Can You Really Become a Graphic Designer in Three Months?

It is possible to become an amateur Graphic Designer who is well on the road to becoming a professional Graphic Designer in about three months. In short, three months is what it will take to receive the professional training required to start building a set of competitive professional job materials. It is impossible to tell how long it will take you to find a position as a Graphic Designer or to get your job as a freelancer up and running, but three months is all it will take to set yourself up with the skills to make this dream a reality. In addition, students won’t be able to undertake this accelerated learning process on their own. They will need the assistance of professional instructors who can ensure that they are on the right track and learning the important skills at the correct pace.

Most of this time will be dedicated to learning the important design applications that most graphic design professionals specialize in. This is most likely to include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. These tools are the basic design applications used in most aspects of the graphic design industry, and almost all competitive Graphic Designers are expected to know them. With dedicated study, it won’t take too long to pick up the basics of any of these programs since they are designed to be as user-friendly and accessible as possible. However, this study will need to be focused and will almost certainly require professional guidance.

Once students have mastered the basics of the applications, they will spend time learning the advanced features of the programs and the theories of design and composition that underscore modern design principles. This is a long-term process, and students shouldn’t expect to master these skills in three months, but talented and cutting-edge designers never fully master these skills, so no matter how you are learning graphic design, you’ll still need to keep up with these conversations.

Finally, during this time, you’ll want to start constructing your job materials so that you can be prepared when you enter the job market. The most important aspect of this process will be taking the work you produce as you are learning these skills through hands-on professional training and compiling that work into a professional design portfolio. This can be the longest and most challenging part of the job search process, meaning that it is something to consider beginning work on during your first three months of training.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Graphic Designer?

Whether Graphic Designers need a degree is a surprisingly divisive topic amongst professionals; some will say that a degree isn’t nearly as valuable as a portfolio, while others point out that self-teaching requires a great deal of time and discipline. There are plenty of Graphic Designers who hold a bachelor’s degree in art, design, or a related field. Some companies require a degree, but it’s becoming increasingly common for creative professionals to gain experience through freelancing and completing personal passion projects. 

The short (and overly simplified) answer is: A degree is not a requirement, but it helps. If you’d like to pursue a degree to help you stand out in a competitive market, you might consider minoring in public relations, marketing, or advertising. Since Graphic Designers are commonly employed to help sell a good or service, knowing some marketing principles could help you understand the ins and outs of a solid campaign. These added skills will make you more marketable and help you land a lucrative career outside of graphic design if you need more time to build your portfolio.

Read more about if you need a degree to become a Graphic Designer.

Steps to Become a Graphic Designer in Three Months

Step #1: Learn About Graphic Designer Field

The first step for any aspiring Graphic Designer is to learn about the field and the kinds of training and skills you’ll need to enter into the profession. Graphic design is a wide and diverse field of study, so students looking to change careers will need to decide what tools they want to learn and what kinds of projects they want to pursue. Most Graphic Designers use a combination of Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, so students will want to decide which of these programs is right for them.

Students interested in learning more about the tools and techniques involved in graphic design should consider consulting the Learn Graphic Design resources available through Noble Desktop.

Step #2: Learn Graphic Designer Skills

The most important first step for an aspiring Graphic Designer is to learn graphic design skills. Most of the four years of a bachelor’s degree program are spent mastering the tools of the trade, and students looking to bypass a university program will need to find other routes to master these skills. One of the best ways to learn these skills is by enrolling in a career-focused graphic design training program, such as the one offered through Noble Desktop. For example, Noble’s Graphic Design Certificate program will cover all of the major aspects of graphic design education. This includes not only hard skills like Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign but also includes training in theories of design and professionalization skills like portfolio-building workshops. Enrolling in a course like this is a solid replacement for the skills training you can expect to receive in a four-year college degree program.

To learn more about the Graphic Design bootcamps and courses offered by Noble Desktop, consider exploring the course listings available on their website.

Step #3: Get Experience in Graphic Designer Projects

Once you leave a career-focused training program, you’ll have received hands-on experience and training, but it will have been accelerated. This means that students are likely to need more time to develop the on-the-job experience and become accustomed to the nature of the work. Students may want to consider applying to graphic design internships, though these may be difficult to find for non-students. Another way to build experience is through volunteer work, but this can quickly become more of a burden than an advantage since it can result in students doing far too much free work.

One good way to gain live hands-on experience is by enrolling in a live training bootcamp, such as Noble’s Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. Courses such as these are a great place to build experience and become more familiar with the programs being taught. They are also a good place to get more experience in the real-world applications of the programs in question since these courses aim to teach students to use graphic design tools on the kinds of projects they can expect to work on in entry-level Graphic Design positions.

Next Steps

Step #4: Develop a Graphic Designer Portfolio

One of the most important aspects of finding a graphic design job is building a compelling and deep design portfolio that will impress hiring managers. While many certificate-granting career programs will dedicate substantial time to helping students build portfolios, they will still be limited to the work that they are producing in class. This means that their portfolios will be fairly unfocused and are likely to include materials that a more polished portfolio would alter or junk entirely. It is a great first step, and in courses like Noble’s Graphic Design Certificate program, students will receive focused guidance on portfolio design exercises, but you’ll still want to consider how the portfolio can be improved.

The first important step is understanding what a Graphic Designer’s portfolio should look like. To find out more about this, consider perusing Noble’s Graphic Designer Portfolio article. The next step will be refining your existing work and making your portfolio more coherent and well-constructed. This is another reason to consider volunteer and freelance work since it allows you to work on projects that will become part of your professional portfolio.

Step #5: Build a Graphic Design Network

Although it is important for aspiring designers to have a strong portfolio, they are also going to want to build a network of colleagues, potential clients, and collaborators who can help them find work. This networking labor is important in almost every career field, and Graphic Designers need to build these networks. This is especially true for designers who didn’t attend a college or university design program and don’t have a cohort of classmates and instructors they can lean on for these early networking opportunities. Students looking to enter a graphic design career without a college degree will already be at several disadvantages in this regard, so working hard on building this network will be important.

There are a few ways to build these networks. Freelance job boards often have places where workers can come together to meet one another and work on networking projects. In addition, students can consider partaking in professionalization seminars and activities, such as mock interviews, networking meetings, or other informal training opportunities. Students can also network with other students when they enroll in professional training seminars like those offered through Noble Desktop.

Step #6: Apply for Graphic Designer Jobs

Once students are comfortable with their skills training, portfolios, and networking practices, they are ready to apply for jobs. They will want to build a collection of job materials that include their resume and a LinkedIn profile. In addition to this, they’ll want to prepare for interviews and work on building the soft skills needed to impress employers. The one-on-one professional development mentorship seminars provided to students in Noble certificate programs will cover many of these skills. 

Students will also want to consider whether or not freelance work is right for them. If they decide that they want to work as a freelancer to build early career skills and develop a portfolio, they won’t need to worry as much about building interviewing skills or a resume, but they will need to learn how to navigate the world of freelance work. This will entail finding and negotiating their own contracts and interfacing more directly with clients at all stages of the project.

More Helpful Steps to Become a Graphic Designer Quickly

Build an Impressive Portfolio

Creating a portfolio with different types of projects is crucial for any aspiring designer. Though it can be overwhelming, the best place to start is by selecting your best work and verifying that each piece showcases your technical skills and unique creativity. It’s important to include a blend of projects demonstrating your versatility, from branding and logo design to web and print layouts. In addition to physical portfolio pieces you may take to in-person interviews, establishing a professional online presence is another must. Many designers use platforms like Behance or a personal website to display work digitally and make it accessible to potential clients. A well-curated portfolio should highlight your abilities as a creative professional and also reflect your personal approach to design to make you stand out in this competitive field.

Gain Real-World Experience

Gaining hands-on experience is an invaluable step in becoming a proficient designer, no matter your niche or what industry you want to work in. One of the best ways to gain experience independently is by freelancing, which involves working on small projects that allow you to apply your skills in practical scenarios while building a diverse portfolio. Participating in design challenges is another way to sharpen your abilities, as they provide opportunities to work on creative briefs that may be outside your comfort zone and receive feedback from industry professionals. Volunteer work and internships offer additional avenues to gain experience while contributing to your growth in the field. These experiences will enhance your technical skills and also teach you about client communication, project management, and the business aspects of design.

Stay Updated with Trends

Graphic design and the tech industry as a whole are constantly evolving, meaning staying up to date with the latest industry processes is vital for all designers. You can follow design blogs and influencers to learn the latest techniques, as well as attend webinars and workshops for continuous learning and professional development. If funds or travel are a concern, research to see if there are any local workshops in your area or complete a free seminar from a trusted provider like Noble Desktop. Regardless of how you choose to complete your learning over time, the dedication to continuing education and understanding the latest in design processes show a commitment to the field and remains a desirable attribute to potential employers.

Network with Other Creatives

No matter the job title or specific industry, building a professional network is paramount for a successful design career. However, it can be hard to meet other designers when working in this type of independent role, especially for freelancers or remote workers. Attending design meetups or conferences provides an opportunity to connect with other professionals, learn about the latest trends, and find potential collaborators in a safe and trusted environment. There’s also the option to start meeting other designers in online forums or social media groups to discuss ideas and get feedback from a supportive community. Networking is an excellent way to open doors to new opportunities and also fosters support in your professional journey.

Learn the Skills to Become a Graphic Designer at Noble Desktop

If you want to start a career in graphic design, the graphic design classes offered by Noble Desktop are an excellent place to start. Students can take all their classes remotely or in-person at their Manhattan campus. For students who want to start slow by just learning one popular design program, Noble offers an Adobe Photoshop Bootcamp, an Adobe InDesign Bootcamp, and an Adobe Illustrator Bootcamp. These beginner-friendly courses take just a few days to complete and will provide students with foundational design skills.

For those who feel ready to dive into a more comprehensive program, Noble Desktop’s Graphic Design Certificate might be a better fit. Students will complete hands-on assignments using popular design programs, including Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. This program is ideal for those hoping to start a career as a Graphic Designer. Certificate students at Noble Desktop receive individual career mentorship, where experts in the design industry help craft resumes and portfolios and provide helpful tips for finding lucrative employment. 

If a class isn’t feasible for your current schedule, Noble Desktop has a host of resources on its website to help start your graphic design career. You can browse their collection of articles about Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign if you’re curious about how each program works. You can also review information about other design tools to see if another field might interest you more.