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Graphic Design Career

The route into graphic design, from CSEC, CAPE or A-level art subjects and an admissions portfolio to software skills, a first studio or in-house role, freelance pricing and contracts, and specialising.

Free · Mac (Apple silicon) and Windows · v1.0.0 · Other platforms

Then open the Marketplace in the app, search for Graphic Design Career, and click Install. It goes into your own files, and works offline from then on.

What it installs.

1

Pillar

1

Area

50

Projects

205

Starter tasks

🧰 Professions & Trades

Graphic Design Career

Becoming a graphic designer: training, software skills, a portfolio, the first studio or agency role, freelancing and specialising.

  1. Testing whether graphic design suits you
  2. Subject choices for design at CSEC, CAPE and A-level
  3. Comparing degrees, diplomas, short courses and self-taught routes
  4. Admissions portfolio for a design programme
  5. Funding design school or a short course
  6. Design school applications and interviews
  7. Design computer, software and font setup
  8. Project file naming, versioning and backup system
  9. Daily sketch and lettering habit
  10. Weekly self-set design brief
  11. Quarterly portfolio refresh
  12. Enquiry and client pipeline tracker
  13. Monthly invoicing and payment chasing
  14. Freelance income, expenses and tax records
  15. Monthly critique circle with other designers
  16. Skills learning plan and course log
  17. Annual design career and rate review
  18. Typography fundamentals for graphic designers
  19. Colour for print and screen
  20. Grids, layout and visual hierarchy
  21. Core skills in vector, image and layout software
  22. Logo and identity design process
  23. Print production, prepress and proofing
  24. Interface and social media design in Figma
  25. Motion graphics basics for social video
  26. Accessible design with contrast, legibility and alt text
  27. Presenting work and writing design rationale
  28. Choosing studio, agency, in-house or freelance work
  29. Pricing design work by the hour, project or package
  30. Freelance design contract and terms of business
  31. Copyright, font licences and usage rights register
  32. Choosing a design specialism
  33. Portfolio website and case studies
  34. Salary benchmarking and pay conversations in design
  35. Final-year degree show and portfolio review
  36. Applying for junior designer roles
  37. Design tests and portfolio interviews
  38. First 90 days as a junior designer
  39. First freelance client from brief to final invoice
  40. Career change into graphic design as an adult
  41. Freelancing alongside a full-time job
  42. Supporting a teenager who wants to be a designer
  43. Working for overseas clients from the Caribbean
  44. Moving abroad to work as a designer
  45. Returning to design after a career break
  46. Brand identity system and guidelines for a client
  47. Packaging and label design for local producers
  48. Moving up to senior designer or art director
  49. Setting up a small design studio
  50. Mentoring junior designers and teaching design

Where it starts.

Each project arrives with its purpose, milestones and first tasks written out. Here is how the first three read.

Testing whether graphic design suits you

Graphic design is mostly solving other people's communication problems to a brief and a deadline, with plenty of revisions, which is a different life from making art for yourself. Spending a few weeks on three small briefs and talking to working designers tests the fit before you commit to subjects, fees or a career change.

First tasks

  • Write down three pieces of design you noticed today and why they work
  • Ask a teacher, relative or local print shop to introduce you to a working designer
  • Design a poster for a real event at your school, church or community group
  • Record your decision and the reasons behind it

Subject choices for design at CSEC, CAPE and A-level

Design programmes usually want evidence of visual ability plus solid English and Mathematics, but the exact subjects differ. Checking the current entry rules of real target programmes before subjects are fixed, whether that means CSEC Visual Arts, CAPE Art and Design or Digital Media, GCSE and A-level Art and Design or Graphic Communication, or a North American transcript with art electives, keeps every option open.

First tasks

  • List four design programmes, at home or overseas, you might apply to
  • Copy each programme's subject and grade requirements into one table
  • Ask your guidance counsellor or form teacher to check your subject plan
  • Register for the advanced subjects your strictest programme asks for

Comparing degrees, diplomas, short courses and self-taught routes

Graphic designers are hired on their portfolio more than their certificate, which is why people arrive through bachelor's degrees, two-year associate degrees or college diplomas, short courses and teaching themselves. Comparing three real options on cost, length, the quality of graduates' portfolios and links to internships stops you paying for a route that does not suit your money or your timetable.

First tasks

  • Find three routes into design that fit your budget and location
  • Look at five recent graduate portfolios from each route
  • Ask each provider about class size, software access and internships
  • Score the routes side by side and record your choice

Make it yours.

Install Graphic Design Career, then tell Aurum the date you're aiming for. It checks whether the plan fits the weeks you actually have.

Free · Mac (Apple silicon) and Windows · v1.0.0 · Other platforms

Blueprints are general information to help you organise your own work. They are not medical, financial, legal or other professional advice. See the Terms.