Graphic design is not just a pretty picture. It is the language of brands, interfaces, packaging and digital products. And if you have ever caught yourself thinking that you could make a logo better than what you see on the screen, perhaps you are on the road to the world of design. The main thing is to start from the right place.
Why the profession of a graphic designer is in demand
According to Exploding Topics, 80% of small company and startup entrepreneurs think that design is crucial to success. The explanation is clear: well-designed businesses stand out, gain credibility, and more successfully convey their value. At the same time, the value of the worldwide graphic design market is $63.8 billion, and the demand for creative performers is growing every year.
In the era of digitalization, almost every company – from a startup to a corporation – needs design: be it banners, web interfaces or packaging.
Analytics from Jooble, one of the largest international job aggregators, confirms the trend: requests for graphic designers are in the top 20 most popular areas of remote work in 2025.
What you should know about the profession in advance
A designer’s work is not only about “drawing beautifully”. This is also the ability to understand the client’s task, work according to the brief, and adapt your aesthetics to different goals. Very often, designers become part of the marketing team and participate in the creation of a common visual language of the brand.
Moreover, graphic design is just one of the branches. Gradually, you can move into UI/UX design, animation, motion, brand design, art direction. Many designers, starting with simple banners, become heads of creative departments or open their own studios.
According to the Wave platform, the average rate of a beginner graphic designer online is from between $25 and $35 per hour. But with increasing experience, this amount can increase 2-3 times in just a year of active practice.
Where to start: first steps for a beginner
Starting a career in design from scratch is quite possible. And unlike many technical professions, here you can grow from a self-taught person to a sought-after specialist if you choose the right strategy.
Master the basics of visual thinking
Before opening Figma or Illustrator, it is important to understand how visual perception works. Why does one post catch your eye, while another is scrolled through? Why are the Apple and Nike logos instantly recognizable?
Learn the basic principles of composition, contrast, color theory, typography. This is the foundation without which you will not be able to build a sustainable skill.
Master the key tools
Modern designers work with a wide range of programs, but at the start it is enough to master:
- Figma – for web design and interfaces (free for beginners)
- Adobe Illustrator – for vector graphics and logos
- Photoshop – for working with raster images
- Canva – a simple and free tool for starting (suitable for first orders)
- Sketch – for making prototypes and mockups
Self-education is the main driver
Most successful designers started out as self-taught. Online courses, YouTube, practical tasks on freelance platforms – all this is available for free or at a low cost. It is especially important:
- Learn through practice
Create projects even without a client: come up with your own brand, draw the interface of a fictional application, design posters or postcards. This will help you fill out your portfolio and hone your skills.
- Study other people’s work
Platforms like Behance, Dribbble or Instagram are ideal places for inspiration. Analyze the work of other designers: how they solve problems, how they build a composition, what color schemes they use.
Where to look for work as a beginner designer
One of the most effective ways to start a career is to find an internship, part-time job or freelance project. The Jooble.org platform provides a huge selection for this: from simple tasks (designing business cards, banners) to long-term projects in agencies and startups.
Jooble filters allow you to customize your search by:
- remote work;
- project employment;
- “no experience” and “entry” levels.
The most active companies hiring designers are e-commerce, marketing and IT companies. Important: even if you can’t boast of experience yet, employers pay attention to your portfolio and motivation.
Besides, graphic designer resume examples on Jooble will help you write a competent application and stand out from other candidates.
How to create a strong portfolio
A portfolio is your main weapon at the start. And it’s not about quantity, but about quality.
What to include in a portfolio:
- 5-7 works illustrating different skills (logos, posters, interface mockups);
- brief descriptions of tasks: what you solved, for whom, what was the goal;
- links to Figma/Behance or a PDF presentation.
If you don’t have any real clients yet, no problem. Come up with your own project: redesign a well-known website, draw packaging for an imaginary brand, or develop an interface for an application that doesn’t exist. Such projects show your thinking and taste, which is what employers value.
Final advice: start today, not tomorrow
In design, as in any creative endeavor, it is important not to wait for the perfect moment. Don’t put it off until tomorrow when you are “ready.” Start drawing, studying, looking for projects – and the results will not take long to come. Regardless of your age, education, and city, design is available to everyone. All you need is the Internet, a little patience, and a desire to grow.