Starting in any industry is challenging, yet if you’re willing to work hard and learn from those in the know, you can make it as a hot-shot designer.
Whether you’re a complete newbie, a design graduate, or you’re about to apply for your first job, there are several strategies you should consider following. Read on to discover what these are.
Never Stop Learning
One tip for inspiring product designers to follow is to embrace learning. Whether enrolling at your local college or university, studying part-time in the evenings, or signing up for a workshop or online course, there are plenty of learning opportunities and resources available. Which you choose depends on your experience and your lifestyle.
The product design world, thanks to technology, is constantly evolving, which means there is always something new to learn. This is especially the case for aspiring designers. These constant updates shouldn’t be seen as a chore, it’s exciting to learn about the latest design tools, products, or platforms. All the stepping stones to a successful career in this field. Once familiar with them, you can apply them to real-life scenarios.
Create An Impressive Portfolio
Whether applying for a course, a job, or freelance work, having a top-notch portfolio is crucial. It shows potential employers, lecturers, and clients what you can do, your skills, and your style. What is one person’s cup of tea isn’t another’s so don’t be afraid to spread your wings – apply for all of the jobs and degrees that interest you, not just the first one you stumble upon.
As well as showing past work in a visual format, showcase every aspect of your design journey, from start to finish. Clients don’t just want to see a pretty picture of your final project, they want to know how and why you created it, the specific demographics behind its creation, and how you applied this knowledge to the final piece.
Some questions to ask when creating an impressive portfolio that tells a story include:
- Who are you designing for?
- What information do they need?
- Where would they expect to find that information?
- Why do they need to know that information?
- How might you give them what they need effectively?
Be Confident
Want the job? Expect that 100 other people in your field do too. There are currently 98465 product designers in the United States. The overall growth is expected to increase 3% from 2018 to 2028. This is when oozing confidence is a must. Instead of writing a generic cover letter and sending a generic CV to potential employers or educational institutions, call them! Better still, arrange a face-to-face meeting.
If you’ve studied in this field for the past three or four years, you’ve spent a good deal of your life nurturing your skill set. This is when knowing your skills and owning your skills comes in. Now is the time to sell yourself!
Know Your Niche
If you’re ready to leap into the real world and apply the skills you’ve learned at school, college, or university to a full-time job, knowing what you’re good at and applying for roles that specialize in your niche is key to success.
Using your existing knowledge as ammo will make you stand out from the crowd. You could boast a keen business mind, be a great artist, have knowledge of specific software, or speak multiple languages. Make sure you list all of your top skills on your CV.
Industries to consider? Architecture, engineering, and industrial design. The skills employers look for include artistic ability, analytical, mechanical, and computer skills.
Another top tip? If a jack of all trades, look at companies with skill gaps and create a CV that delivers what they’re looking for. They know what their office or team needs, you need to show them you have the expertise to fill it!
Think Outside The Box
As well as applying for specific jobs with big companies in your field, why not freelance? This is a great side hustle and one that helps boost your knowledge and your portfolio. You can even approach companies that specialize in the industry you wish to work in and ask to shadow employees. Alternatively, embark on a work experience placement. Many companies offer this to a set number of students per year.
Numerous platforms exist to help freelancers get their name out there. These platforms act as the middleman between you and various global clients. As well as earning extra experience and cash, freelance work can transform you from a beginner designer to an intermediate designer – an asset to your CV.
The Bottom Line
Never give up! Starting a new course or career takes hard work, it takes motivation and it takes setbacks. The product design industry is competitive. To succeed, you need to stand out from the crowd. Furthermore, you need to be a go-getter and take risks.
Whether you sign up for additional courses, embrace work experience, or embark on a freelance journey, there are many ways to heighten your skill set. The result? You boost your confidence and become more appealing to potential employers or clients.
The bottom line? Expect a few bumps along the way, work on bettering your skills and portfolio, and keep going. Once you’re over that first hurdle, rest assured it gets a lot easier.
