How did you get into the design industry?

To any designers: How did you get your first design job and how did you get past the "2 years experience" barrier?

How did you get into the design industry?
Sometimes you have to start at the bottom and work your way up. 2 years designing forms and flyers in a small print shop or newspaper with a good reputation is a small price to pay for a good leg up the career ladder.
Reply:Be creative.


Design some things worthy of showing off.


Show them off.
Reply:there r 2 ways to make u a professional designer..


1- get a job and make ur job title as a designer..


2- be creative n design


i choose the second way.. i design, i prove people tht i have the capability, n i get good job...
Reply:to get a job in design, first you need a degree, higher the better at any design course- graphic design, architcteture, automotive.....


experience is everything and good experience means better prospect. it can be difficult to get a job without experince but a 1st degree at a top design university can be good. Some companies find it difficult to employ graduates your skill is limited and they are unwilling to pay you. but to get by this you can voluntarily work for free whilst getting that experience and help to develope which goes onto your cv to give you the necessary way into a top job.


in failling that invent a gadget in your garden shed that will be known world wide, like dyson, the paper clip.... even enter design competitions
Reply:I'm a professional Illustrator so can't answer your question directly. However, here are some ideas:





1. Contacts. I produce a weekly illustration and have done for the last 2 and a half years. I got this job through a good friend. I've just got my first professional web design project through my brother in law.





2. Freebies. Ok, possibly soul destroying but this is good to make contacts and build up your portfolio. Why mention it was free?





3. Why not try approaching design companies directly? Lots of people do this (not just Graphic Designers) I would ask them if they can give you any work experience. You never know, they may keep you on.





Hope this is helpful and good luck!!!