This is the information I wish someone had written when I was first starting out in graphic design!

If you’re thinking about a career in graphic design and would like to learn more about it, welcome! My name is Carlos, and I am a graphic design professional – a 3d modeler and animator, to be exact.

I believe that every aspiring graphic designer needs a caring mentor – someone who has worked in the field for a long time and is willing to share the kind of wisdom and advice that can make a new artist’s life a little (or a lot) easier. But mentors are sometimes hard to find.

That’s why I am guest blogging here – to encourage aspiring artists and to help them find answers to some of their questions. And one of the most common questions I get is this: What does it take to be a successful graphic designer?

So here’s my list of the top five things you need if you want to shoot for a career in graphic design:

1. Creativity. Graphic designers have to be able to come up with new ideas minute after minute, hour after hour, day after day… you get the idea. That means you have to give your imagination free rein and not let anything interrupt the flow of ideas. You have to maintain a childlike sense of wonder about the world, and fight the impulse to censor yourself. Remember the words of scientist, author and educator Linus Pauling: The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.

2. Discipline. Sure, I’ve heard stories about the stereotypical “artiste” who sleeps late, spends his days sipping espresso at the café and his nights at the pub, and who works only when the mood strikes and the stars are in perfect alignment. But truthfully, I don’t know anyone like that. The great artists I know work every day whether they want to or not, and they finish what they start. When they agree to a deadline, they meet or beat it. In short, they behave like professionals, because they are.

3. Patience. Everything about graphic design takes time. Learning the skills and developing the talent takes time. Getting a job takes time, as does working your way up company hierarchy. Sometimes, temperamental or indecisive clients will take your patience to the breaking point… but a pro never loses her cool.

4. Talent. Of course, you’ve got to have some artistic talent to be a graphic artist. Chances are you’re interested in the graphic design field because you believe you have talent. But every artist can improve, so remember that when you are ready to take your talent to the next level, there is plenty of help out there. Which leads me to…

5. Education. I would not have the job I have now if I did not have a formal education, and neither would most of my colleagues. Graphic design is a highly competitive field, and unless you’re the next Da Vinci, one thing that can move your application closer to the top of any recruiter’s list is a college degree. If you don’t already have one, go get one. I’ll demystify the graphic design degree process in my next post.

Carlos Suarez is a freelance 3d modeler and animator. His client list include forensic animation companies, online retailers, inventors, entertainers, and game companies. Carlos graduated from the San Alejandro Academy in Havana, Cuba with a degree in fine art. He lives and works on an island in the Florida Keys, along with his wife and son.

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