- Let's take a moment to go beyond the basics of design
and discuss some other key things
that will help you on your career path.
Brand strategy is a critical part of design
and yet designers aren't typically trained
in communication or marketing.
Branding is a complete system
that communicates a brand's message
and therefore impacts all aspects of your design project,
from packaging to marketing.
Emotional connection and consistency
all play a role in good brand design.
Where and how you work are important considerations
and require different skill sets.
Do you want to work for yourself or an agency?
Or do you want to be part of an in-house design team?
If your dream is to land a spot on an in-house design team,
this is very different from working as a freelancer.
You'll want to be armed
with really great interpersonal skills
and find ways to thrive in a corporate
and at times more bureaucratic environment.
On the other hand, if you plan
to run your own design business,
knowing how to earn passive income while
you are focused on more intensive design projects may be
a major part of keeping your business profitable.
And one last thought and this is really important.
Remember that as with any fields,
having related skills that keep you
well-rounded will help set you apart.
Here are a few examples.
Having solid photography skills may help you land
a project creating social media designs.
A good working knowledge of web design will keep you current
and relevant and expand your design skills beyond prints,
and an understanding of
art direction may help open doors to opportunities
for promotion at your company.
My parting words of advice
are keep an eye out for ways you can expand your skills,
have the courage to try new things and always be learning.