I get a lot of questions on how to get started as a designer, so here are a few tips!
1. Mindset
My first tip is to change your mindset and actually believe that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Even if it feels cheesy, just believe in yourself.
My favorite fast ways to change my mindset are:
- Affirmations
- Meditation (it’s not as weird as you want to believe it is!)
- Do something I’m already confident in.
- Let myself dream of the possibilities
- Vision board
- Acknowledge my fears and insecurities, feel them out, then dismiss them.
2. Education
Next, spend all of your free time learning. So, I still do this. I’m always taking courses, always Googling things to figure out things that I didn’t know before. And it adds so much value to my brand because I have real life experiences with them.
My favorite learning resources are:
- YouTube. There is a video for literally everything.
- TikTok…same. Tutorials and videos galore.
- Pinterest.
- Audiobooks (did you know most libraries have an app where you can just listen to a ton of audiobooks for free???)
- Good old Google.
3. Application
My third is to just get in there and do it, because there is no better way to learn how to do something than to actually do it yourself.
The best way to get started:
- Offer services to family and friends to build your portfolio.
- Offer services for trade, to other people who are just getting started.
- Work on designs for your own business.
- Mock ups
Your brain is going to try to resist the change, because it is wired to protect you from unknown things. Just push right through it and show yourself that you are capable. Trust yourself to do amazing things. Embrace the change, and the transition between being a beginner and becoming an expert. It’s beautiful….and in case you forgot: YOU’VE GOT THIS.
