How to Become a Graphic Designer (Without a Degree)

In this graphic design video I talk about 4 steps to become a graphic designer, no degree necessary! I hope you find these tips helpful and that my journey maybe inspires you to continue on your path of designing.

Here are the giveaway details:
3. Go comment a coffee emoji ☕️ on this YouTube video
4. Subscribe to my Youtube channel

Giveaway ends on March 2nd at 12pm PST and winner will be announced on Friday @ 10am PST. Can’t wait!!!

Oh yeah, and snag these free graphic design resources:

✨ 5 types of logo designs FREE GUIDE ✨

FREE: Brand Design Questionnaire:

---------------------------------------

// FREE GRAPHIC DESIGNER RESOURCES //

FREE: Brand Design Questionnaire 💕

⬇️ GET THE FREE WEBSITE DESIGN PROCESS GUIDE HERE ⬇️

Learn how to go from hourly freelancer to trusted brand designer:
GET MY FREE TRAINING VIDEO 💥

---------------------------------------

// TAKE MY COURSES //

GUIDE TO: LANDING GRAPHIC DESIGN CLIENTS
This course has 5 video led modules, a downloadable e-book and you will be able to join my community as well 💕

✨ Custom Branding Process Course ✨

NOW OFFERING THESE COURSES IN A BUNDLE 💥

---------------------------------------

// OTHER HELPFUL LINKS //

Join my email list for more helpful design tips:

LIKE MY EMAIL STYLE?! JOIN FLODESK FOR 50% OFF

Use this AI writing tool to help with Brand Strategies and more!

MY CONTRACT TEMPLATES:

GET DUBSADO (my project management system):

GET MY DESK ACCESSORIES AT GROVEMADE:

DESIGNERS: BOOK A COACHING CALL WITH ME:

SITEGROUND (my favorite website hosting for WordPress):

---------------------------------------

// FOLLOW ME //

instagram:

pinterest:

online portfolio:

work with me:

---------------------------------------

*I do make a commission on some of the links in this description box. Thank you so much for the support.*

#graphicdesign #entrepreneur #businessowner

[Deanna.G]

Self taught here - not one person has asked me for my design background (I was a hairstylist before I had kids), not even when sending me It’s definitely not for everyone and having some talent (or lots in your case! ♥️) or at least a good eye is pretty important, along with following the basic rules of design, and knowing when and how to break them. Another great 🍷 and design!

[hyliannerd]

I dropped out of college because it wasn't for me and it was getting expensive. I am planning on becoming a graphic designer as well as a programmer/developer, your video is very helpful. Thank you.

[yun]

currently having a breakdown because I hate the course I’m taking right now. So many mistakes made because of pressure. So glad to have found this video

[kristen]

How would you modify this advice (if at all) for a 36 year-old mom with two kids? Lol. I worked as a speech language pathologist for ten years until I burned out. I've been working retail until I figure out what I want to be when I grow up 🙃.

[ME-jvhn]

I just came across your channel and have been enjoying your videos. I appreciate that they are educational (I am returning to graphic design after many years in a vastly different field and love the tutorial vids that are helping me navigate the transition back) and inspirational.

This one was one of the more hit & miss ones for me personally though.

Let me preface this by being very clear that I am just offering a different perspective and wholeheartedly intend it as *constructive* criticism and not an attack or any negative vibes. ❤

I don't want to make assumptions about your situation or personal circumstances on your journey so I am speaking generally and only based on the info given in this vid.
To me, the earlish in particulat part came across as projecting the expectation of a significant level of privilige.

I know you are giving advice through the filter of your personal experience, whicj is understandable, but if you do another video in the future on this topic, I would suggest putting a little more consideration in for the fact that not everyone is fortunate enough to accept (or even get) an unpaid internship, especially if it's not part of a college degree.

Most people do need to support themselves through and many don't have the option to commit to a full time unpaid position.
I do agree that when first building your portfolio & professional reputation, as well as making connections and honing your skills, taking on unpaid projects or those with compensation that is not money can be necessary.
But full time unpaid internships that are not arranged as part of a college course are exploitative of those who cant afford to work a FT job for free.
Might be worth mentioning other ways of going about things as well or at least acknowledging that working for nothing but "experience'" not the ideal way for many and there is nothing wrong with expecting to be compensated for your time and effort (although that should still absolutely be adjusted based on ability and every beginner shouldn't be making top dollar like an experienced designer. But everyone does deserve fair compensation for their time at work.)

Anyway... keep in mind that many people are not in a position to do things that way and it would be really cool if thwt was acknowledged throughout yout tips/acvice of this sort.

Hopefully that makes sense


I appreciate your effort and intentions for this vid thougb!

[sergetell]

Quick answer: No.
Don't waste money in college, you can learn everything by yourself and most employers do not care about your degree, your portfolio is what matters. So learn the basics, we now have millions of tutorials on youtube and online courses, and then practice, build a decent portfolio and then apply for a job or start freelancing.

[marisolcanchola]

I am in school right now in my senior year and I been watching you since high school. School is great but I have learned so much from you, I always watch your videos when I need inspiration❤️….. your voice is therapeutic when I stress about homework

[johnbehneman]

I AM LEARNING THAT GRAPHIC DESIGN HAS SIMILAR DESIGN PROTIES TO INTERIOR DESIGN. IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT CROSS OVER FIELD. YES!!!! THE WORLD ALWAYS NEED MORE CREATIVE MINDS!!!!

[pbostler]

Thank you so much for sharing! I just turned 57 and iI want to learn graphics. I am working on fiction and non-fiction writing projects. I want to design book covers and greeting cards. I also want to learn to create magazines.

I am an independent care giver in home health now.

I want to be able to travel with my husband and pets, and spend more time with grandkids, while making money from home. I am still planning on staying with caregiver gigs. The clients give me so many stories to write! 15:21

[OccludedbyDesire]

Considering dropping out of college at the moment but was wondering if I could pursue graphics/tattoo art without it, thank you!

[tracypadilla]

All of your videos are so helpful and give me little confidence boosts each time I watch a new one! ☕️

[loomonda]

Loved this video!! I was wondering if you have any advice in getting to an agency job as a self taught designer? As a self taught graphic designer, what exactly do you put on your resume to get hired.... Other than listing "proficient in Adobe suite, etc." I have a degree in something completely different than design (in education), so how do I get employers to look at me without formal education in design? I am worried that even before getting to the portfolio, they would just skip you because the resume wouldn't have formal design education on it.
Would really appreciate some insight into this, thank you!!❤

[cindybakley]

I have been thinking about this for a very long time because I like creating things but my adhd hinders me because I don’t have much of an imagination and have a hard time of knowing what looks good color or design wise.

[johnbehneman]

GREAT VIDEO MEGAN!!! I AGREE WITH YOU 100% ON EVERYTHING!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR SOUL. I LEARNED SO MUCH. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SHARE YOUR TRUTH. YES!!!! ALWAYS BE PASSIONATE ABOUT LIFE!!!!

[midnightfalconx]

Your natural beauty stuns the very essence of my soul. I Love her

[mackenzie]

I dropped out of college because it wasn't for me and it was getting expensive. I have been a self taught graphic designer since 2006. I just haven't found the right job because all of the ones I see for remote freelance graphic design jobs require a degree and adobe suite. I have neither of those. I do have a portfolio and I use open source programs that are free.

[TheMaskedThearpist]

i have a bs in psychology and a ms in pastoral care but i don't wanna be in those fields anymore. So I'm hoping i can use my minor in graphic design to get me out and relearning everything on my own

[SebiRaducu-ngfu]

How can I start practising on Adobe (where the most jobs are on demand and what that experience on CV), if I cannot afford it at the start (of course, after some gigs and time the subscription will be possible): ?

[tannerworship]

Great video. I think this is what I want to do. Thanks for the advice.

[Dog_lover]

Great video Megan! You inspire me! Can you make a video on how you design websites on Figma when you have to use it? Thanks!