Traditionally, becoming a graphic designer took much longer than a year. First, you were expected to complete a three-year degree. And that usually didn’t include much in the way of practical experience, so you’d probably have to internal for a few months after that to fill in the gaps. Only then could you start applying for your first graphic design jobs.
That was all very well in the days when you could get a grant to go to uni and expect the state to pay your fees (although even then, many couldn’t afford to take that length of time out of the workplace). In 2022, though, with degrees costing £9K a year, and inflation pushing living costs to record levels, it’s an increasing unattractive option.
It’s not surprising, then, that more and more graphic designers have been finding alternative ways into the profession. Nowadays, it is common to find that a sizeable number of designers in any agency or in-house design department will have come up through a different route than the traditional degree.
So how can you follow in their footsteps? Read on as we give you some suggestions for becoming a graphic designer in less than a year.
