Becoming a graphic designer? Yeah, it’s everywhere now. Isn’t it? Everyone from your neighbour to some random person on Instagram seems to be dabbling in design.

But here’s the thing: finding someone who’s actually good, like reliable good, is still like stumbling across a perfect seashell on a crowded beach. Rare!

And if you’ve got dreams of working for those big, shiny corporations that throw millions at logos (seriously, Google that BBC rebrand – mad, right?), well, you’ve got to start somewhere.

Hint: It’s not going to be with those corporations.

1. START SMALL 

Think about the café on the corner where you get your morning flat white, or maybe your mate’s dad’s plumbing business that could really do with a logo update. It’s got Comic Sans on it for crying out loud. Offer to spruce up something small for them.

And no, you don’t need to beg for a full rebrand straight away. A social media banner here, a flyer there. It’s all about showing them what you can do. People trust what they see not what you tell them.

Actually, this reminds me of someone I know (not naming names, but let’s call her Jess). She did this exact thing. Started by making posters for her local yoga studio – free, by the way, but she didn’t mind because she was obsessed with the place.

Guess what? A few months later, they hired her for a whole campaign when they expanded to another location.

Sometimes it’s not about shouting your skills from the rooftops; it’s about being there at the right moment, doing the thing no one else wants to do (or doing it better).

2. Now, a word about RELIABILITY

Look, it’s not the sexiest part of being a designer, but it’s the one that’ll make people remember your name.

• If you say you’ll finish by Friday, don’t make them chase you on Saturday.
• Don’t ghost clients. Honestly, it’s like being that mate who shows up on time with a six-pack.

It’s simple, but people love you for it.

3. And Being RESPONSIVE?

Mate, it’s huge.

• Reply to emails – even if it’s just to say, “Got it, cheers!”
• Clients love knowing you’re there and listening. (Oh, and don’t take feedback personally. It’s not your baby, it’s their business. Brutal, I know.)

Here’s Where it Gets Juicy, Though.

Once you’ve done a few projects, magic starts to happen.

Suddenly, people are mentioning you to their friends, your inbox gets busier, and before you know it, you’re not just making flyers for Jim’s Gardening Service. You’re rebranding boutique hotels or launching entire e-commerce sites. It’s like planting seeds in a garden, and one day – bam! You’ve got a forest.

One last thing (and this might sound odd, but hear me out): design is emotional. It’s not just about colours and fonts; it’s about making people feel something.

• That café logo? It’s got to make customers feel cosy and welcome.
• The gym rebrand? Needs to scream energy and transformation.

You’re not just arranging shapes – you’re shaping stories.

So, yeah, it’s crowded out there, but who cares? With the right mix of grit, talent, and a dash of “being someone people don’t dread emailing,” you’ll go far.

And when you’re cashing those big cheques for designing the next Nike swoosh, don’t forget where it all started – maybe with a dodgy plumbing logo and a lot of heart.

Have a look around this site, you will find plenty of inspiration to get you started.