How to become a graphic designer without a degree

Are you looking for a career in graphic design where you can use your creative talents and artistic vision? If you're worried about breaking into the industry because you lack a formal college degree in graphic design or art, rest assured that this career is still open to you.

Read on to find out the steps for how to become a graphic designer without a degree.

What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic designers create visual content for different industries like advertising, technology, publishing, education, and entertainment. They use creative tools and technologies to design products such as:

• Physical products: packaging, signage, newspapers and magazines, posters, flyers, brochures, book covers, documents, and educational resources
• Digital products: advertisements or commercials, social media content, brand assets, websites, video games, films, logos, presentations, and online publications

Graphic designers may work as freelancers, contractors, or in-house employees for a specific employer.

Steps to become a graphic designer without a degree

While having a bachelor's degree in art or graphic design would be an advantage with some employers, there are typically no formal education requirements to become a graphic designer.

Here are some common steps that may help you learn the necessary skills, gain experience, and begin your career in design:

Step 1: Take online graphic design courses (optional)

A graphic design career requires knowledge of design principles, color theory, art history, digital illustration, and typography. Online graphic design courses can be a good way to learn these foundational concepts, experiment with industry-standard technologies and tools, and build your graphic design portfolio.

Step 2: Build a strong portfolio

Building a solid portfolio is an important part of becoming a graphic designer, especially if you don't have a degree. It should include pieces from various projects that showcase the range of your creative and technical abilities.

Consider creating sample projects for fictional clients or presenting your unique vision and improved designs for familiar brands or popular products.

Here are some possible types of print or digital work to include:

• Branding kits
• Websites
• User experience (UX)/user interface (UI) mockups
• Logos or signage
• Marketing and presentation materials
• Social media content
• Advertisements or commercials
• Infographics, charts, tables
• Book or magazine covers or layouts
• Product packaging

Instead of including everything you've ever designed, curate a focused but diverse collection of only select pieces that best show your style and versatility.

Step 3: Get certified to boost your credibility (optional)

Graphic design does not require you to have a degree from a college, earn a certificate from an organization, or complete a specific certification from a regulating body. However, relevant optional certificates or certifications can validate your skills and add to your professional credibility.

For example, most graphic design jobs require at least working knowledge of industry-standard design software, most notably Adobe products like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Dreamweaver. Becoming an Adobe Certified Professional can help demonstrate your competence with these essential tools of the trade.

Boot camps in UX/UI or a Google UX Design Certificate can also help boost your skills and give you a competitive advantage over other job candidates.

Step 4: Gain practical experience through internships or freelancing

Hands-on experience can get you acquainted with the demands of a graphic design career, expand your professional network, and provide excellent portfolio material. Here are some ideas to get started:

• Help a friend or family member launch their own personal brand or small business.
• Volunteer your services to local charities, nonprofits, school districts, and community event organizers.
• Apply for internship opportunities with local design agencies, publishers, or media outlets.
• Offer a redesigned and improved logo or more professional brand assets for a local small business.
• Find freelance gigs on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, FlexJobs, or LinkedIn.

Any experience you can get, whether it is positive or negative, will help you better understand various client expectations, target audiences, project workflows, and media technology.

Step 5: Choose a niche to specialize in

Graphic designers are hired in such a broad range of industries that it can be helpful to specialize in a niche and brand yourself as an expert in that specific area, whether that's a particular sector, business type, end product, or design style.

Your niche is whatever you decide. It could be designing flyers and posters for community events and nonprofits, infographics for large corporations, social media content for small businesses, or digital animation for children's entertainment programs.

Consider how best to use your passion, technical skills, and personal style to design the types of projects most rewarding to you.

Get started on edX

If you're ready to begin your new career as a graphic designer but don't have a formal degree, explore graphic design courses or graphic design certificate programs on edX to get the skills and credentials to help boost your career.