The design industry is constantly changing, and even hardworking designers can feel like their portfolio isn’t quite up to scratch. It’s common to feel like you’re moving backwards instead of forwards. At Shillington, we’re lucky to teach lots of self-taught or unsatisfied designers to cement their software skills, build a portfolio that properly reflects their creativity and inspire the confidence to take their careers to the next level.
Here are some signs that additional training would be helpful. Can you relate?
1. You Feel Inexperienced
If you’re worried that you don’t have enough projects under your belt, what harm can it do to gain a little more experience for your graphic design career? You don’t have to quit your job; you can find a part-time course that will fit around your career and give you an invaluable boost. At Shillington, we run part-time courses over nine months in New York, London, Manchester, Sydney and Melbourne – so you can easily squeeze in extra graphic design training without handing in your notice. Plus you’ll get brownie points from your boss who’ll be super impressed by your willingness to improve.
“I was lucky to pick up a few skills on my own whilst working at a small web agency prior. There were no designers above me, so I had to become sufficient at creating visuals, but wasn’t confident in being able to explain design, let alone understand them properly.” – Ray Wong, who upskilled at Shillington and now works at Oink Creative.
2. You Keep Tripping Up Over The Same Problems
We all come across obstacles in our work. Tackling them is how we learn and grow. But if you keep stumbling over the same issues again and again, it might be time to take a refresher course. You can learn skills and receive further graphic design training from experts in your field and put your mind at ease when you discover new ways to progress.
3. You’re Suffering From Constant Self-Doubt
We all have days when we feel as though we’re not good enough, but if it’s becoming a daily occurrence perhaps it’s time to do something about it! Adding skills and experience will only build your confidence, helping you overcome any negative thoughts that might be holding you back.
4. You’re Not Securing Your Perfect Job
You’ve graduated, got all the right skills and enjoyed a little work experience to boot. So why aren’t you landing your dream design job? Perhaps you need a little more practice, and this is where a design course might help. Yes, it’s more investment of time and money to study – but further graphic design training will likely pay off when your portfolio and training is ticking all the right boxes.
5. The Feedback From Clients Hasn’t Been Great
Nothing knocks confidence like bad feedback. If clients don’t like your ideas, perhaps a trip back to design school will show you how to make them happy? A critical eye on your work will give you the constructive criticism you need to improve and ensure clients will sign on the dotted line in the future.
“Before deciding to go to Shillington, I already made up my mind about graphic design, I wanted to start freelancing and was already working with a couple of clients on really small scale projects. My main issue was – I had zero confidence in my work. And anyone I was working with could feel it.” – Oceane Combeau, who upskilled at Shillington and now works as a freelance designer.
6. Your Graphic Design Portfolio Isn’t Up To Scratch
Whether you’re struggling to win more freelance work or convince an agency owner that you’re the right person for the job – your graphic design portfolio might be holding you back if it doesn’t have enough work to demonstrate your talent. A practical design course could be just the ticket to help you polish your portfolio.
“I had been freelancing for a year and I knew my work wasn’t where I wanted it to be, but I knew university wasn’t getting me where I wanted to go.” – Miranda Mayne, who upskilled at Shillington and now works as a freelance designer.
7. Feel feel out of touch
With technology constantly changing, even the most experienced graphic designer might struggle to keep up. If you’ve been feeling out of the loop lately, then perhaps a refresher course will do just the trick? At Shillington, we employ the biggest and brightest design talent this industry has to offer, so you’ll sit down and learn all the latest skills and trends from the very best.
“I’ve always loved design, but left it too late to actually pursue it. Whilst I’d blagged it as a self-taught designer in a previous role, I was aware of my limitations and struggled to advance without the direction and structure of a course.” – Gerald Torto, Shillington graduate who upskilled and is now a Strategist at Re.
8. You’ve Lost All Passion
There’s no getting around it; you’re just not enjoying your work anymore. You might have lost the hunger for design but that doesn’t mean you’ll never regain an appetite for creativity. Going back to education might be the kick in the butt you need and hopefully help you rediscover your love of design.
Has this list made you think about heading back to design school? Learn more about studying 3 months full-time or 9 months part-time at Shillington in New York, London, Manchester, Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane.
