How To Get Started As a Designer

A common question many new designers ask themselves (either aloud or silently) is "How do I get started?" The challenge lies in knowing what to learn, how to navigate the design world, who to listen to among many voices, and similar concerns.

This struggle often causes some to give up, others to become overwhelmed, and still others to go along with whatever they find. Make no mistake, this is not an era where knowledge is scarce; on the contrary, knowledge is widely available, in both paid and free forms, but the question is how to get started.

I have worked in brand and marketing design for over seven years, and in product design for nearly two years. What I teach junior designers comes from that experience and from watching others grow. If you want a clear, fast path into design, start here.

Accept that you do not know everything. That is okay and normal. The more you learn first, the better you will execute later. Learning is not only reading; it is doing what you learn and then improving. Treat knowledge as a tool, not a trophy.

Now, to the tips:

Find a model: It is impossible to pour from an empty cup, and this is to say that if you don't have someone or something to look up to, it will be hard (if not impossible) to do anything worthwhile.

Look for a project or one person whose work you want to emulate. A model shows what is possible and gives you concrete reference points. Study their process, their deliverables, and how they present their work. A model serves as a strong reference for what has been achieved and what is possible. The more you observe your model, the more it inspires you to explore new possibilities and realize your potential.

Practical actions

• Choose one strong portfolio/or a set of designs to follow for three months.
• Recreate one piece as a learning exercise, then adapt it to your voice.
• Use the model as inspiration, not a limit. Your goal is to surpass the model, not copy it.

Before I move to the second tip, I need to give this warning. A model is a picture of possibility, letting you know what you can do and surpass, not a limit to your ability and potential.

Find a Community: Having people who share your pain, have similar goals and interests, is a blessing you can't put a price on. 

Design is a social craft. A community gives you feedback, motivation, and accountability. You will learn faster in a group that shares your goals than you will on your own.

One benefit of joining a community is that you will grow faster than your contemporaries who self-learn.

Practical actions

• Join one active community either on Slack, Discord, or a local group, and participate.
• Share small wins and ask for feedback on one piece you create.
• Offer help to others. Teaching a concept is one of the fastest ways to master it.

The third tip I'll give is

Ask Questions: This might sound obvious, but asking focused questions shortens your learning curve. The internet is helpful, but real conversations reveal tacit knowledge that tutorials do not cover. Ask designers about decisions, not just tools. There are some experiences you will not find in books or online, but in human-to-human conversations.

Practical actions

• When you study a case study, ask: why this typeface, why this hierarchy, why this grid.
• Ask for feedback early and often. The sooner you iterate, the better your outcome.
• Balance online learning with mentorship conversations.

Final note

Start small and be consistent. Knowledge plus action will compound into real skill. When you find a model, please ask questions. When you join a community, please ask questions.

If you want help choosing a learning model, joining the right communities, or getting feedback on a portfolio piece, I take on a small number of mentorship and freelance projects. Message me and let us talk about where you want to go.