How to Begin a Graphic Designing Career
Updated on: by Miranda Grimm
As many of you who follow closely know, I had lost my job with a company called Demand Media. The pay was excellent and the flexibility was exactly what I needed. As you can see in the popular post I wrote just hours after finding out I was given the boot and lost my $30/an hour job that I finally came around and began to see things in a positive light. If I had not lost my job at Demand Media, I never would have chosen to go ahead and pursue my passion- web design. 
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I can proudly say I did follow through with it and I am now working actively helping people with their logos, creating graphics and setting up their blogs. I am also helping others maintain their blogs when they run into issues. I am happier than ever! I sometimes feel like I am not allowed to charge for the work I do because its not really work to me, it’s play time! I love my job!
However, it has not been easy, I did not have ANY experience aside from doing things on my own blogs. I had no education in the field of web or graphic design.
I did have a really cool computer software program. But I had no clue how to use it. There are books heavier than my 2 year old on how to get started with the program. Anyone getting a certificate or degree in graphic design will spend a lot of money taking multiple classes just to learn the software program I had. I did not have that benefit, but I have made it work.
My goal is that by the time my two young girls, Sara (5) and Olivia (2) are in elementary school, I can turn this part-time passion of mine into a full-time career that I can depend on for a regular income. Wish me luck!
Want to know how I made it work? In fact, anyone who is interested in this type of work or even as a hobby should read the guest post I wrote over at Nerd-Jobs.com. I explain step by step the process it takes to break into the field of graphic design without any experience, education or expensive software.
Check out the post- 5 Steps to Becoming a Logo Designer with No Experience- by clicking on the fancy button I made>> 🙂 I just wanted an excuse to use the button!
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- How My WAH Job Turned into an Unexpected Career
- Q/A: How to Market My Virtual Assistant Business
- 7 Steps to a Freelance Career
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Leisa Good
February 3, 2012 at 12:54 pm
I have used your design services and greatly appreciate you talents. I’ll be using you again. So, I can speak for how wonderful you are.
I also love your story. You go with your passions. The money will follow.
Leisa Good
February 3, 2012 at 12:56 pm
P.S. Your girls are so cute! 🙂
Miranda Grimm
February 3, 2012 at 1:36 pm
Thank you Leisa! They are cute aren’t they? 🙂
Angie
February 3, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Yay for guest posting! Great job, Miranda.
Miranda Grimm
February 3, 2012 at 2:23 pm
lol thanks Angie! I am finally acting on my words…But my goal is 2 guest posts a month! 🙂 I dont know why I put it off, it is a lot of fun. I guess its that “what if they reject it” fear I need to get over.
Megan
February 3, 2012 at 7:44 pm
You definitely have a talent, so I’m glad you are pursuing your dreams!
I love the idea of guest posting, and I might just try to match your two posts per month. I drafted my post for you last night (okay, 4 a.m., same difference), and I will be polishing it up and sending it on it’s way by the time I crash today.
My hardest obstacle is deciding on a topic and actually finding blogs to post on, but I’m sure I’ll get better at that with time.
(sorry to go so off topic 🙂
Lisa Mills
February 3, 2012 at 10:41 pm
You must have oodles of energy, Miranda. I admire people who passionately pursue their interests! I’ve been very impressed with your design work. Love my FB landing page you did for me!
Terri
February 7, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Great article, Miranda! Just wondering, do you need to know a lot about html for graphic design work?
Miranda Grimm
February 7, 2012 at 7:42 pm
for graphic work, no not at all. If you wanted to get into web design then yes, it would be important to understand basic HTML, CSS and some PHP.
But if you want to make illustrations, stock images and icons or Logos then no reason to know HTML. Are you considering trying it out? It can be a lot of fun! You can submit your work to sites like Shutterstock. Just have to read their requirements. It is also fun to find contests on sites like Prizes.org and take on a challenge or two and hope you win some money! 🙂
Terri
February 8, 2012 at 12:22 am
I dabble in digital graphics– mostly to make greeting cards but never thought about how I might make it work for me. But I do need to learn my programs. I’m more of a “hunt and peck when I need it kind of girl”. Thanks for a new idea to explore. It would be nice to make money doing something I really enjoy 🙂