Design has a catch 22 nature. It is hard to get good at design without regular work and it is hard to get regular work if you are not good at design. Being a Graphic Designer, a UX designer, or Visual Designer takes practice, the constant building of skills and the embodiment of a learning appetite. I can honestly say I didn’t understand this when I first graduated with my weird hybrid education of design and film theory. In my 20-something youth, I had fallen for the idea that I had a degree and I was owed a high-paying job. Give me degree, give me job. Now!

I didn’t quite understand I had a problem. I learned how to use the design tools but I wasn’t keeping my skill up with practice. I didn’t get the difference between an education and a practice. I was overwhelmed by how quickly the design field was changing with new programs, new job titles, new niche careers, SEO, social media marketing, personal branding, instagram-famous, and it was in that crucial time when cell phones were quickly developing into mini computers and cameras in your pocket. Reading job descriptions suddenly became painful.

So fast forward to today… how did I get a job as an in-house Graphic Designer for an ink company?

I was tired of being passed by and realized I had to practice more often! A great way I started was with time-based design or art challenges.

One of the beautiful things that happened when I took on a daily challenge was the part of my brain that needed for creative work was engaged. There are a number of daily challenges to choose from — Daily UI, 50-day Daily Logo, 30-day Daily Illustration with Inktober, — are some of my favorites. I recently participated in a Daily Logo Challenge while on furlough due to COVID19 and found a ratcheting up of my logo design skills.

There are a number of ways to start a daily challenge but commitment to the practice. It helps to post everyday on Instagram or Dribbble to create a sense of accountability. It is also very important that you choose a challenge that is at least 30 days. I highly recommend at least 100 days.

The reason why 30 days works for you is because it works on you. There is a break through moment even after 10 days or so where you begin to see your style, or the ideas unfold faster, and it gives you creative confidence and momentum. It also gives you the positive energy to talk about your work ethic. Once you have completed a challenge then you can look back on your work and expand on your top performing ideas. Look at what people have liked and commented on the most and develop a mock brand around that idea. Add it to your portfolio.

This is the strong way to help you land work as a designer because it shows how hard you work and employers love to see that.

Once the magic starts happening, think about pitching to recruiters. One agency I worked with is Vitamin Talent—their recruiters are very professional and they have a great team. Another is Creative Circle. Each of these agencies have great connects with major companies. Do any contract work that can come your way. Some businesses need designers for one day, one week or one month. Once you get something under your belt then it helps you leverage even more work. I worked on a production gig for an agency that had a contract with Microsoft and it was what I needed to leverage a my first consistent gig with Pottery Northwest.

Practice, practice and practice then get paid!