Advancing your skills as a graphic designer can help you secure more lucrative and exciting projects, increase your earning potential and improve your job satisfaction. There are many ways you can become an even better graphic designer, including through education, training, collaboration and skill-building opportunities. In this article, we explore what a graphic designer does and the many steps you can take to go from good to great as a graphic design professional.

What is a graphic designer?

A graphic designer is a creative professional who develops visual content assets for digital and print mediums. They can work on a variety of projects, including advertisements, digital media, web and application design and product packaging. They can work freelance, as part of an organization’s creative team or in a creative agency.

Some common responsibilities include :

• Use graphic design software to illustrate, create vector graphics, edit images and compile design assets into complete projects.
• Research design elements to understand the meaning of different colors and symbols.
• Find inspiration for designs from various sources, including art, other media, competitors or the real world.
• Apply best practices for color, typography, shapes and view experience.
• Collaborate with other designers, creative directors, clients and writers to develop assets.
• Create multiple iterations of projects and revise per client or team feedback.

How to be a good graphic designer

Use these tips to improve your skills and become a better graphic design professional :

1. Earn an education in design

Consider completing an undergraduate degree—like an associate or bachelor’s degree—in art, graphic design, web design, digital media arts or a similar discipline. These programs involve taking general education courses in addition to major-specific courses in art history, design principles and digital media technology. You can also complete diplomas or professional certificate programs that take less time to complete but still train you in the theory, practice and technology you use as a graphic designer.

Some employers may prefer candidates to have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, but others may require some formal training, previous design experience and a portfolio. As a freelancer, you may only need to have a portfolio of previous work.

2. Take online design courses

Even if you have a degree or formal training, taking graphic design courses online can help you review important design principles, gain other professionals’ perspectives and tips on graphic design and update your skills in different design mediums and technology.

3. Specialize your work

You can specialize in a variety of design forms, including :

• Logos and branding
• UI/UX design for websites and apps
• Product design
• Packaging design
• Editorial design
• Lettering and typography
• Marketing and advertising

Early in your career, consider taking on a variety of projects to build your portfolio and gain experience in different design forms. After a few years, choose one or a few related specialties you want to master so you can have a design niche in which to find clients and job opportunities. Being highly skilled in one or a few related design specialties means you can market yourself as an expert in that field.

For example, if you specialize in packaging design, you can advertise yourself as a packaging designer on your website, professional networking profile and social media. This can lead to more clients and employers finding you in online searches when they’re looking for a packaging designer.

4. Determine your signature style

Having a signature style means you create each project with the same general inspirations and design principles. Some art and design styles include:

• Art nouveau
• Art deco
• Post-modern
• Victorian
• Grunge
• Expressionism
• Minimalism

Many graphic designers pull from a few styles to create their own signature style. Find your signature style to make a niche in the design world and stand out from other designers who work on the same type of projects you do. Doing so takes time to develop and practice, so try out the styles that interest and inspire you until you find the right blend.

5. Find a mentor

Look for experienced and skilled designers whose work and careers you admire. These professionals may be instructors from your design education program, current or former colleagues or well-known professionals in the field with whom you connect via social media or professional networking platforms.

Then, ask them if they’d be willing to mentor you by emphasizing what about their work inspires you and what you hope to learn from them.