Junior designer how long

During your first few years you'll be assigned the smaller aspects of multiple projects. Depending on the company, you could find yourself doing anything from laying out pages and making colour corrections, to designing stationery and website banners, to sitting in on client meetings. Here's what a junior designer isn't: someone who solely pours the coffee, organises the stationery drawer, answers the telephone or runs errands.

If you find yourself in this position, talk to your senior designer, map out your expectations and ask for new work. If the situation doesn't improve, it might be time to move on. You don't necessarily need a degree to become a junior designer — although the benefits of learning design theory and design thinking, plus the freedom to develop your own ideas outside of client briefs, shouldn't be underestimated.

Bear in mind, too, that some job adverts will specify being educated to degree level. However, while a relevant degree will stand you in good stead when it comes to getting on the graphic design career ladder, it by no means guarantees you paid employment.

Talent, experience and confidence will often triumph over a degree. Starting salaries vary wildly depending on sector and geographical location. For those of you in the US, use this salary calculator to see what you can expect in your state. Relevant work experience — and lots of it — will stand you head and shoulders above the competition, so it's good practice to have at least one placement or internship and preferably more on your resume when it comes to looking for your first junior designer position.

Of course, you'll also need a standout design portfolio — see this design portfolio inspiration to give you some ideas. Placements and internships show that you have valuable real-world experience and, crucially, that you've started to translate your hard-won skills and knowledge of design theory into practice.

The more you can chalk up, the better placed you'll be when applying for a job as a junior designer. Communication skills also rate highly. After all, being a brilliant designer isn't much use if you can't explain your decisions to clients. As a junior designer in a studio or agency, you'll be involved in strategy and creative problem-solving, producing graphic design, advertising or visual communication work for a wide range of different clients.

The pros? Its junior designer, designer, and senior designer. And that's coming from a 47 y. Show [[ numHiddenNotes ]] more notes Add Note.

I guess I wanted a general survey more so from an organizational standpoint. You know how it goes with HR and promotions and such. It comes down to more than this in practice. Someone could be able to do this within 8 months and still remain a Jr. Once you have those skills you are ready to become a Creative Director. There is no time limit. If you wanna get promoted, start making moves. CyBrain 0 Permalink Upvote Downvote.

The problem is sometimes it is not creatives who get to call all the shots. We have suits for HR, they get an opinion too, unfortunately. Even if there is a shortage of direction, they are not idle. They take over and complete the job based on their best estimate. Never just sit back and wait for a decision to be taken. There are few excellent generalists out there, but most designers specialise in one or two areas.

Junior designers could not yet have settled on the niche they intend to follow as their careers advance. This is why gaining exposure to new talents and methods of working is an important step toward progress.

If you have identified your niche, you will embrace it, gaining a breadth of experience to make you stand out from your peers. As a junior artist, it is easy to believe that a completed mission equals a work well performed. This means you can submit work to a senior colleague or customer without justifying.

Senior designers understand that meaning is everything and that failure to explain design decisions will leave your work vulnerable to misinterpretation and misunderstanding. It is essential to consider the design decisions carefully and to be prepared to present them in a thoughtful manner.

Junior designers do not often have the experience to look past the boundaries of the job at hand. Senior designers, on the other hand, have the specialised skills and expertise required to challenge and, where possible, go beyond and above the brief and create a product with increased flexibility or enhanced user flow.

Knowing how to walk the fine line between getting the job done and delivering the most benefit is a discipline that takes practice. Every designer encounters stumbling blocks from time to time. Get Fresh Updates On your job applications, and stay connected. Download Now. Start networking and exchanging professional insights Register now or log in to join your professional community.

Follow How do you know when you should no longer be classed as a junior designer. Upvote 3 Views Followers 1. Write an Answer Register now or log in to answer.