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Overcoming the Challenges of Starting a Career in Design: Tips for New Designers

Jon Moore
6 min readDec 3, 2022

Note: This article was generated by prompting ChatGPT and tuning the results.

As a new designer, you’re probably feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety about joining the industry. On the one hand, you’re probably eager to get started and to put your skills and creativity to work. But you’re probably also feeling overwhelmed by the challenges and obstacles before you.

It’s normal to feel this way. The design industry is competitive, fast-paced, and constantly evolving, and it can be intimidating for new designers who are just starting out. But the good news is that you’re not alone. Every designer has had to face these challenges at some point, and many of them have found ways to overcome them and succeed in the industry.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the common challenges that new designers face, and we’ll offer some tips and insights on how to overcome them and succeed in the industry.

Developing a strong portfolio

One of the biggest challenges that new designers face is the need to develop a strong portfolio of work that showcases their skills and abilities. This can be a daunting task, especially if you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot of experience or a large body of work to show.

Your portfolio is your calling card. It’s the first thing that potential clients, employers, and collaborators will see when they’re considering working with you, and it’s the best way to demonstrate your skills and abilities. So it’s essential that you take the time and effort to develop a portfolio that showcases your best work and demonstrates your unique strengths and capabilities.

Here are a few tips for developing a strong portfolio:

  • Start by gathering your best work: Take some time to review your work and to select the pieces that you’re most proud of and that showcase your skills and abilities. Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of work to show yet — even a few strong pieces can make a good impression.
  • Organize your portfolio: Once you have your best work selected, take some time to organize it into a cohesive and…

Jon Moore

Principal Design Partner Innovatemap in Indianapolis. Creator of The Design Encyclopedia (https://www.designencyclopedia.io). Email: 1jonmoore@gmail.com