Aspiring graphic designer looking for tips and advice :)

[ernie-f]

As Paul already wrote, Xara is not the industry standard.

Of course I don't only use Xara for my work.

Adobe is, so to say, the industry standard not only in Germany. Since I am a freelance graphic designer, I can choose the software that suits me best.

I follow Afinity with excitement and work with Afinity Photo as a Photoshop replacement very gladly.
The new Afinity Publisher is still in the beta phase and serious functions to replace Indesign are still missing.

For me, Xara is the universal Swiss army knife for my work that comes into play when it is needed.
In another thread I have written down my experiences while typesetting a book with Xara. https://www.talkgraphics.com/showthr...v16&highlight=

[pauland]

Anna, a last suggestion.

Try and find your own niche - something that excites you or makes you happy. You are fortunate that the internet is around because you can see current trends, find inspiration from current illustrators, graphic artists, motion designers, etc.

Try and emerge from university with a niche that suits you. It will be far better to have some form of specialism so that you don't look like a cookie-cutter graphic designer.

Stand out from the crowd in some way.

[JET]

Without going into a long description of my personal 45+ year history in graphics work, having been in positions of hiring graphic designers and illustrators, I'll offer this:

• Build the strongest portfolio of your work that you can. I can tell much more about a student's real-world ability from that than from their school transcript.

• Don't think yourself an expert on the basis of your degree. At best, that just makes you an interested beginner. Your real education will begin on the real-world job.

• Don't get "married" to any particular software. Software comes and goes, and different companies use different software for different reasons. Take advantage of every opportunity to gain at least working familiarity with as many different tools to which you can gain access. Everyone has their "favorite" program. But too many applicants reveal their emotional dependency upon one particular program and fear of using any other. That's a "button pusher; a one-trick pony." And it's a red flag to the interviewer. I can teach a monkey to push a button. What I always looked for is indication that the applicant understands the underlying principles of the graphics tools, processes, and workflows.

When I see, first, a strong portfolio from an applicant who, second, is able to answer a few " how and why" questions, it doesn't matter one whit to me what brand software with which the applicant has the most "muscle memory." I would every time favor an obviously talented applicant who uses a different program but understands what she's been doing, over one who has merely memorized commands and buttons of the program currently deployed. Such a person is easily adaptable and a stronger asset.

JET

[wizard509]

• Your real education will begin on the real-world job.

•

How true that is.

Keep your eyes open and learn.
keep a sketchpad with you and jot down your ideas. You never know when an idea strikes that you may not remember later.
In my case I wanted to be a painter so I had to learn perspective both for myself and if need be teach others to draw so I could concentrate on painting and meet the deadlines, most of all I learned by doing.

[darlenechisholm]

The best tips and advice for you are
Avoid for copying other originator's style.
Listen to your clients.
Gain experience.
Welcome useful criticism about your design from client or other competitor.
Have an explanation for each plan choice
always keep it in your mind.

[gwpriester]

What is your background, darlenechisholm? Just curious.