If you’re just starting your design career, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed. I get it. I was there at one time. So first, welcome! Second, give yourself some grace but hold onto your hats. The path to being a designer isn’t easy. I’ve got some simple tips that will help you navigate (and save) your new career!

1. Be authentically confident.

As a designer, you’re going to have to develop a bit of a thick skin. Clients are constantly judging your work. At times, it may feel like they’re judging you, and that judgment may tear down your self-confidence. Remember, they are judging your work and not you. There are a million reasons why they might not like your work, but that has nothing to do with you. What does have to do with you is your authenticity. If you are authentic, you will stick to what makes you who you are and what makes your designs a quality product. You still want to get paid, so you have to mix what makes you authentically you with what the client is looking for, but if you’re a skilled designer, you can do that. Avoid being overconfident at all costs. 

2. Find your niche.

Early in your design career, you may think you can do everything. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Your niche can be by the medium you create (Showit websites), the filed your help (wedding photographers), or even by design aesthetic (minimal and natural) but it’s important to find your niche early. In finding your niche early, you will weed out the jobs that are not part of your long-term plan. You’ll also be able to build your portfolio more quickly if you stick to what is in your niche. 

3. Set short and long-term goals.

One of the biggest mistakes that beginning designers make is they don’t set goals. Instead, they take jobs as they come. This works in the short term, but ultimately, you need to set short and long-term goals. I’m a fan of SMART goals, which help me stay on track and focused. I also love accomplishing my goals and setting new ones. Make goals around your business and do your best to exceed them. 

4. Meet your deadlines. 

I cannot stress the importance of hitting your deadlines. Most of the time, the design is part of a more comprehensive process. You are a part of that process. If you miss deadlines, you compromise the entire project’s deadline and lose the confidence of that client. Make sure your deadlines are realistic and maybe pad it a bit until you get your routine down. It may mean a few late nights, but you should always hit your deadlines.

5. Invest in quality design.

Make sure your design elements are high quality. That means you need to invest in experts. You may be a designer, but you are not an expert at everything. Your design assets and website are not easy to put together. Perhaps one of your services is website design. Hire an expert to put together your branding assets. Hire a writer to write the content for your website. Hire a photographer to take photos of you for your website. You can design and implement what they produce to showcase your skills, but if you’re not an expert in those areas, find someone who is. It means an investment early on in your career, but it’s totally worth it to look professional.

6. Invest in your systems and processes.

I’m a huge fan of systems. A client management system (CMS) and a project management system (PMS) are essential investments to simplify your life and to portray an unmatched level of professionalism. These systems can be as comprehensive as you need them to be, but it’s important to set them up early. I suggest outsourcing these as well. 

7. Work efficiently.

It’s easy to burn out when you’re starting your business. It’s one of the reasons more than 20% of businesses fail within their first year. If you’re not working efficiently, you’re going to burn out quickly. Setting up systems to work for you will help you work more efficiently. 

8. Find your tribe.

It’s so important to find your tribe. There are many others who are doing what you’re doing, and we should all be supporting each other. Yes, at times we are competition, but competition doesn’t need to be always or ugly. Instead, join one or many of the Facebook groups with others who are in your same niche. These groups are a great place to get referrals and to find a new referral group, and they’re a perfect place to troubleshoot and share resources. 

9. Take time to listen to your clients. 

This may sound like an obvious tip, but it’s so important to be deliberate in listening to your clients. When we are starting out, often we are so eager to do a great job that we talk too much. Instead, create a list of questions that need to be answered and send that to your client as part of your intro guide. Set up a day and time to meet with the client and listen to what they need and what they want. By listening to clients, you can showcase your expertise by offering products or services that they may not have thought of.

10. Take time to be creative. 

Don’t forget to take some time to be creative or to learn. Design evolves and changes. Take time for yourself to create something new and fresh. Maybe it’s an idea that’s been stuck in your head for a while. If you don’t get that idea out, you’re missing out on potential greatness. You also have to continually keep up on trends and changes within the industry. Subscribe to outlets that will send you notifications, updates, and articles that you can quickly read to stay relevant.

Welcome

If you’re confused by any of the terms I’ve used in this article or that imposter syndrome is rearing its ugly head, check out my 25 Design Terms that Every Designer Should Know. And again, welcome to our tribe. We’re glad you’re here.