How To Become A Digital Designer
Are you looking for a way to combine your passion for creativity and technology?
Looking for a career where you can be creative and use cutting-edge technology? If this sounds like you, consider becoming a digital designer. The field is growing and expected to be in demand for quite some time.
How do you become a digital designer though? There are a couple of different avenues to consider if you are just starting this career path. In this article, we will cover all the skills, schooling, and soft skills needed to become a digital designer.
Before we get started, what does a digital designer do? Digital design is a chance to make your mark on the world, and build a digital product that can touch the lives of millions of people (and get paid to do it). As a designer, you will create beautiful and engaging digital products using cutting-edge software and technology.
What do you need to become a digital designer?
Develop technical skills
Learn design principles
Like any practice, there are general design principles that all designers should follow. As you learn how to become a digital designer, make sure you understand some of the main principles. These principles include design purpose, consistency, user-centered, feedback, flexibility, and simplicity.
Make sure what you create has a well-defined purpose and is consistent in the layout and style. Most of all, the product should be easy to follow and use. Always think of the user when progressing through any design sequence.
Designs should be interactive and visually appealing and engaging. Don’t forget to take into account the need to adapt and adjust to various screen sizes and devices. Your user experience should be consistent across all platforms.
Master design software and tools
Having a design suite is a critical tool for any designer. Digital designs work with a variety of software programs to help them create their products. Like a carpenter and his tools, a designer needs to master their programs and craft to become the best they can be.
Dont get discouraged, this can take time, but remember you are learning skills that you can leverage to get you to where you want to go.
Depending on the project, one may work from a variety of software including Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma, Canva, Procreate, and Cinema 4D. Every project is different and comes with its own special challenges and criteria. As your experience grows, you will learn how to leverage programs for more than their initial uses.
Gain knowledge of UX/UI design
UX/UI design is a crucial aspect of the digital world, and gaining knowledge in this field can open up many career opportunities. To start learning, it is recommended to explore different resources and find the ones that fit your learning style and interests. Online courses and workshops can provide structured learning while reading books and articles can give you a strong foundation in design principles and best practices.
It is important to remember that UX/UI design is a continuously evolving field, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies is essential. Additionally, practice and feedback are key to improving your skills and developing a strong portfolio. With dedication and hard work, you can become a skilled UX/UI designer and make a positive impact on the digital products and experiences people interact with every day.
Build soft skills
Foster creativity and innovation
Never stop exploring and learning. The digital world is continuously evolving and changing. Keeping a pulse on the technology and practices being used is an important thing to realize as you learn how to become a digital designer.
Focus on experimentation, trying new techniques and approaches to get to solutions. Look out for design trends and seek out others in your area of work to bounce ideas off of. By staying curious, collaborating with others, and learning from experiences, you can provide impactful work and improve your skills. In turn, adding value to you and your company
Attention to detail
We have all been on a website where something looks funny or a link doesn’t quite take you to the right place. Maybe it doesn’t take you anywhere at all. Attention to detail is just as important in digital design as it is in other trades, keeping track of the little details, can make a difference between an OK user experience and a great one.
Overlooking small details can lead to poor user experience, confusion, and frustration for your clients, but keeping track of the little details can help you create a great user experience. This attention to detail will show your level of care and craftsmanship which is a great way to build trust with your existing clients and showcase your work for potential new clients.
Communication and collaboration skills
Focusing on strong communication and collaborative skills is an important step in becoming a digital designer. Since projects typically involve various teams, stakeholders, and inevitably, a lot of money, making sure everyone is on the same page should be a priority.
Communication with your team members will avoid misunderstandings, rework, and potential missed deadlines. Keep your team organized and informed with a collaborative effort to make sure there is a system to track all new information and progress as you near deadlines.
Both communication and collaboration lend themselves to better relationships between coworkers and leaders. Keeping open lines of communication can help keep problem small instead of festering into larger ones.
Time management and organization
As a designer, you will have a lot of responsibilities and projects to work on. Mastering time management and organization will be important skills to master as you learn how to become a digital designer.
Managing your time is important as you will often be working to meet tight deadlines, sometimes with two or three projects. Having the management skills to prioritize tasks, be realistic about project requirements, and allocate time appropriately will be important in your career.
Keeping your projects organized is also important when deadlines are approaching or you are getting help from additional team members. Keeping track of all the project details and important elements will inevitably result in better quality control and less stress on everyone on the project.
Schooling and learning
Academic degrees in digital design
Digital designers may receive a variety of degrees depending on their specific area of expertise and career goals. A bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or Visual Communication typically focuses on the fundamentals of graphic design, including typography, color theory, and layout design. Students may also learn about digital design tools and techniques, such as Adobe Creative Suite. On the other hand, a bachelor’s degree in Interaction Design or User Experience Design focuses on designing digital experiences for users, including websites, mobile apps, and other digital interfaces. Students learn about user research, design thinking, and prototyping, as well as digital design tools and technologies.
Another degree that digital designers can pursue is a bachelor’s degree in Web Design and Development, which focuses on both the design and technical aspects of creating websites and other digital products. Students learn about web design principles, coding languages, and content management systems. Finally, a master’s degree in Digital Design or Visual Communication is a more advanced degree that allows designers to deepen their skills and expertise in a particular area of digital design. Students may specialize in areas such as animation, motion graphics, or web development.
Certifications in digital design
Digital designers can obtain various certifications to showcase their skills and knowledge in specific areas of digital design. Often these certifications are used to bolster one’s collegiate career and help solidify areas of expertise.
Popular certifications include Adobe Certified Expert (ACE), User Experience Design (UXD) Certification, Certified Web Designer (CWD), and Certified Digital Marketing Professional (CDMP). These certifications demonstrate proficiency in areas such as using Adobe software, conducting user research, designing web interfaces, and digital marketing principles. However, certifications should be complemented by real-world experience and a strong portfolio to increase professional credibility.
Online courses and tutorials
Online training is a valuable resource for digital designers looking to improve their skills and knowledge. It provides a flexible and convenient way to learn and can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that designers can learn at their own pace and on their own schedule, without the need to attend in-person classes or workshops.
Another benefit of online training is that it often includes hands-on exercises and projects that allow designers to practice their skills in a real-world context. This helps designers to develop their portfolio and demonstrate their expertise to potential employers or clients. Additionally, many online training programs offer feedback and support from instructors or peers, which can be invaluable for designers looking to improve their work. Overall, online training is a cost-effective and accessible way for digital designers to develop their skills and stay competitive in the job market.
Create a portfolio
Types of work to include in a portfolio
Like most careers, it’s important to keep a portfolio of your past work. If anything, it is a good reference file for anything you want to remember how you did something in particular.
Your portfolio can be so much more if you put the time into it.
Consider your portfolio its own resume for potential clients, new employment opportunities, or freelance work you might take on. Your portfolio should include a wide range of projects to demonstrate your versatility and skills range. A portfolio should also have strong elements of visual design, case studies, and testimonials, and be a model of your work in itself. That means an easy-to-navigate and user-friendly portfolio.
How to create an impressive portfolio
Pay special attention to creating your portfolio, after all, it is an example of your work also.
When creating your impressive portfolio, make sure you are showcasing your best work. These examples should be timely, but also show off your quality and skill.
Include your process to help connect with your reader. Show them case studies, any testimonials, and unique things you had to work through to accomplish each project. Don’t forget the high-quality visuals. Having visual aids on your portfolio will really connect the reader to your work. You can use high-quality images, videos, animations, or anything else that might show off your skills.
Remember to make it easy to use!
Find job opportunities
Overview of job prospects for digital designers
Now that you know how to become a digital designer, it’s time for the most important part. Getting a job. Trying to find a job out of the gate can be an intimidating task for anyone just starting out. There are a few things you can do to make it easier on yourself.
Search through job search websites. These will help you narrow down a specific opportunity you are looking for. Networking with other professionals is also a good way to find job opportunities. Attending industry events, and participating online and on social media are all ways to network. Checking freelance platforms can also be a way to find work if you are just starting out.
If these methods don’t work out right away, don’t give up. You can always ask for a referral and start reviewing individual companies’ websites.
Career paths for digital designers
Digital design offers a wide range of career paths, including roles such as User Experience Designer, User Interface Designer, Web Designer, Graphic Designer, Motion Graphics Designer, Creative Director, Art Director, and UX Researcher. These roles differ in their focus and responsibilities, ranging from creating user-centered design solutions to overseeing the creative direction of a design team or agency. As such, individuals can pursue a variety of roles based on their interests and skills.
The Wrap Up
In this chat article, we have covered various aspects of digital design, including its principles, software, skills, career paths, and portfolio creation. Digital design is a dynamic field that requires a combination of technical and creative skills, as well as a passion for problem-solving and innovation. Digital designers can pursue a variety of career paths based on their interests and skills and can continue to develop their skills through various certifications, online training, and degree programs. A strong portfolio and effective communication and collaboration skills are essential for succeeding in this field, and with the right mindset and dedication, anyone can become a successful digital designer.
