Graphic Designing In South Africa
Are you wanting to change careers or work in a field that allows you the flexibility of remote work? If this describes you, you should think about a career in graphic design.
You can work as a graphic designer to produce graphics or logos for use in brand promotions, sales and marketing campaigns in a variety of huge chain stores, industrial organizations, call centers, government parastatals, consulting businesses, financial organizations, etc.
But there are several steps you need to do to become a reputable expert in this sector before you can be referred to as a graphic designer.
We’ll walk you through the steps to becoming a graphic designer in South Africa in this article.
How to Become a Graphic Designer in South Africa
Graphic designers are talented people that create banners, logos, and graphics for businesses and individuals wishing to advertise their services through various media.
They could be needed to have an active internet presence and a portfolio of prior work because of the nature of their employment. Technology has significantly changed how businesses are perceived, and as a result, many people are starting to invest in public relations and advertising, both of which call for some sort of visual aid.
Because of the nature of your work, you must directly interact with customer specifications, which may be provided through virtual or in-person meetings, depending on the client’s preference.
Additionally, a lot of graphic designers work as independent contractors or in full-time positions for various businesses that need their services.
Here are some actions you should take to fulfill your desire of becoming a graphic designer now that you have a better understanding of what a graphic designer does.
Acquire Education
There are several paths you can take to learn the fundamentals of graphic design. The first would be to enroll in art or creatively related courses while still in high school, or if you didn’t apply for a bachelor’s degree in design or performing arts, you could sign up for creative extracurricular activities in the university.
Gain Experience By Assuming Similar Roles
Regardless of the theoretical knowledge we have learned in school, practicing consistently is the greatest method to improve at anything we do.
Through self-directed learning or by volunteering in positions that will provide you the tools you need to build on what you have learned thus far in school, you can increase your knowledge and abilities.
If you want to work in a professional context, internships and volunteer positions are also excellent places to start since they provide you a sense of what it’s like to be a graphic designer at work and what you need to show in a job interview.
Become A Member Of A Graphic Design Community
Joining a group of like-minded individuals when beginning your career as a designer gives you the push you require in the direction you are looking to go in. Being a part of a community will help you learn more about hiring practices and job openings at organizations with excellent work ethics and compensation.
Establish A Portfolio
The quality of your work would be evaluated for the majority of creative positions, not the way your resume is laid out. Make sure your portfolio includes photographs or links to the greatest projects you have completed for clients or as part of your education.
Upload Your Work To Social Media Sites
Even if you have a portfolio, you should continue to produce and post your works on all relevant social media channels. This can be a useful way to meet people who share your interests or perhaps potential customers who could be interested in your art.
You can also register with reputable freelance networks like Fiverr or Upwork to expand your clientele and explore the possibility of working with international companies.
Improve Your Communication Techniques
Communication abilities will be crucial for you in your early years. The reason is that you must clearly explain to businesses and people why they should hire you and what skills you have.
What Will My Earnings Be?
The income range, according to Salaryexplorer, is 9,450 ZAR (the lowest) to 32,700 ZAR (the highest) per month. Your income potential is influenced by the organization’s location, amount of experience, applicable talents, and occasionally the length of the job, including whether it is full- or part-time.
