What I Wish I Knew About Graphic Design

Photo by Aleks Dorohovich on Unsplash

This article starts with a brief genesis of my graphic design journey. If you’d like to skip to the things I wish I knew about graphic design, please CLICK HERE

My journey started with inspiration from video games, but I quickly learned coding wasn’t for me. A nudge from my uncle pushed me toward graphic design, a path that felt natural. I pursued it through high school and college, earning both an Associate’s and a Bachelor’s degree. While my first degree gave me foundational knowledge, it was my time at Full Sail University that threw me into the deep end with real-world challenges: tight deadlines, creative briefs, and industry-veteran professors. That experience was invaluable, but the biggest lessons came after I officially started my own design business in 2020

I couldn’t find my first graphic, so I ‘ll show my early designs.

Five years later, I’m still struggling to get my feet off the ground. I wrote an article on LinkedIn years ago about what I learned about being a graphic designer & the industry. Since then, I’ve gained experience through my business, working with clients. This blog reflects the experience I have to this day.

I will share ten things I wish I knew about Graphic Design before becoming a full adult [lol].

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I WISH I KNEW….

1. Graphic Design is Competitive

I heard it said that “everybody is a designer.” With all the programs that are accessible to non-graphic designers, there are questions if graphic designers are truly needed anymore. When they are needed, however, organizations and clients look for designers with specific skills.

A degree, unfortunately, doesn’t guarantee a job in design and a flock of clients knocking on your door (more on that later). It’s about keeping up with the design trends WHILE staying true to your unique creativity.

2. Creative Block is Real

Every creative at some point has gone through the dreaded process called “Creative Block.”

A creative block is a phenomenon best described as an overwhelming feeling of being stuck in the creative process without the ability to move forward and make anything new.[1]

My first creative block was scary to me. I started questioning if I was losing my creativity, or if I should still focus on graphic design. When I spoke to a fellow creative about my dilema, They shared a similar experience and shared that it was possible to overcome it. I won’t get into what I do to overcome creative block, that’s a blog on its own, but knowing it in advance would’ve prepared me more.

3. Staying Inspired is Important

The last point leads into my next point, STAY INSPIRED!

Sometimes, we get caught up in “business as usual,” that is when we slowly lose ourselves in autopilot. I’ve learned that going outside, meeting fellow creatives and going to conferences have been a source of inspiring the next design piece for myself and clients.

4. Art is subjective

Not everyone is going to like your art. Sometimes, I feel like my designs are better than the next graphic designer, but they are getting more credit and publicity for their art than me!

I had to learn that particular people have a preferred style. I’d describe my style as “urban creativity.” Not everyone will rock with that, and that is okay.

At some point, I bent my style to appease certain people. It almost destroyed my creativity and passion. I never will do that again. I stick to what I’m great at and it’s been a blessing to me.

5. Have a Niche

I came into this industry believing that I needed to design for the first contact that needed my services. I had to serve EVERYONE. I learned from a seasoned graphic designer that having a niche in your business is effective.

I saw the changes later, when my niche was for urban creatives and musicians. The majority of my portfolio reflected the niche I chose.

Also, make sure your niche connects with who you are as a person.

6. Charge Your Worth

Some designers charge between $20 — $20,000.

I charged clients lower than what I would usually charge because I didn’t see my worth. I got a good amount of clients; however, when I increased my prices, I lost some clients. I was discouraged at first because I was worried about matching a client’s budget while neglecting my worth.

Later on, I chose to continue to increase my prices and keep them. I shifted my focus to attracting clients who understood the value of my work and could invest in it accordingly.

7. Revisions, Revisions, Revisions

I had jobs that was a one-and-done, sometimes, at least two revisions before accepting the final design.

However, I’d get requests of revisions days later and/or weeks later. Personally, when I’m done with something, I tend to put it on the backburner, never to touch it again.

Through experience, I’ve learned to build a specific number of revision rounds into my contracts. I also clearly state the costs for any additional work requested after the project is finalized. For my own workflow, I keep project files readily accessible for about three months post-completion in a specific folder I use for active work, just in case a client returns for minor tweaks or additions.

I’m still not a fan of revisions, but I’ve grown to understand the importance of revisions in my services. I’m the expert, problem-solver, and visionary of the work. That is why they came to me in the first place.

8. Owning a Design Business is Expensive

Sheesh!! That’s how I’ll start this off

Starting a business is already expensive, but a design business takes the cake for me!

You need a powerful laptop or desktop capable of handling large files (like a MacBook Pro or a high-spec PC), industry-standard software (like the Adobe Creative Cloud), and reliable, high-speed internet. "You’re investing between $1000 -$10,000 a year to keep your business afloat.

If running a business from home, you may likely need the help of funds from a day job if you’re starting out.

9. Getting a Design Degree Doesn’t Guarantee a Job

“So you’re telling me that I invested years, money, and got into debt, and I’m still not guaranteed a job in my favorite company!?”

Unfortunately, yes. Companies don’t care about a degree — even if the requirement is on the job posting — they want to see skill.

I’ve applied to over 100+ jobs in graphic design, knowing that I qualify for what they are looking for. I was lucky enough to land at least 5–7 interviews with the company. I almost got a job at Disney out of all places!!!

The degree is not the end-all be-all. The industry is always changing. Every year I find myself refining my skills, learning new programs, incorporating AI in my workflow, and exploring different avenues of visual communication.

10. It is rewarding when a client loves your work.

I wanted to end this list on a positive note. I had no idea how great it would feel when a client praises your work. I knew it would feel great, but not THAT great!

It’s my drive to continue doing graphic design. Have fun with it, enjoy what you do, put smiles on clients’ faces not just through your work, but also through your support, listening ear, and suggestions.

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Bibliography:

[1] “Creative Block: Joy Harjo’s Tips to Overcoming Creative Block — 2024 — MasterClass.” MasterClass, 2020, www.masterclass.com/articles/creative-block-explained.