Learn Graphic Design in Six Months: A Step-by-Step Guide
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 7 min read

Contents

  1. Get familiar with basic design principles
  2. Start learning graphic design software
  3. Study the work of other designers
  4. Practice designing your own projects
  5. Take on real client projects
  6. Create a portfolio of your work

Have you ever wondered how to learn graphic design in six months? If so, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through a step-by-step process to transform from a novice to a proficient graphic designer in just half a year. It's a journey filled with creativity, innovation, and lots of hands-on practice. Let's dive in and start shaping your graphic design skills!

Get familiar with basic design principles

Before you even touch a graphic design software, it's important to understand the core principles that govern the world of design. These principles form the bedrock of any designer's toolkit, and they'll guide you in creating visuals that are not just beautiful, but also communicative and impactful.

Balance

Balance is the distribution of visual weight in a design. It's what keeps your design from feeling too heavy or too light in one area. For example, if you have a large, dark shape on one side of your design, you might balance it with several lighter, smaller shapes on the other side.

Contrast

Contrast is the secret sauce that makes your designs pop. It's all about making different elements stand out by emphasizing their differences in color, size, or shape. For instance, if you're creating a poster, you might use a bold, large font for the headline and a smaller, lighter font for the body text.

Emphasis

Emphasis is about drawing the viewer's attention to a particular part of your design. You can achieve this by making an element bigger, bolder, or more colorful than the rest. For example, in a magazine cover, the title is usually the most emphasized element.

Alignment

Alignment is the process of lining up elements in a design to create order and cohesion. It's like the glue that holds your design together. Even a small misalignment can make your design look messy and unprofessional, so it's worth paying attention to.

These principles are your starting point on how to learn graphic design in six months. Remember, becoming a good designer is not just about mastering software—it's about learning to see the world in a new way and communicating that vision through your designs.

Start learning graphic design software

Once you are comfortable with design principles, it's time to get hands-on with graphic design software. These tools are the paintbrushes of the digital art world, helping you bring your creative visions to life.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a must-know tool for every graphic designer. It's perfect for editing and retouching images, creating web designs, 3D artwork, and more. You'll find it useful for everything from tweaking the colors in a photograph to designing a website layout. Mastering Photoshop is a vital step in your journey of learning graphic design in six months.

Adobe Illustrator

While Photoshop is pixel-based, Adobe Illustrator is vector-based. This means you can create designs that can be scaled to any size without losing quality, making it ideal for designing logos, icons, and other scalable graphics. Illustrator's powerful tools and features can seem intimidating at first, but with practice, you'll soon be creating professional-quality vector graphics with ease.

Adobe InDesign

If you're interested in layout and print design, Adobe InDesign is the tool for you. It's designed for creating multi-page documents like magazines, eBooks, and brochures. InDesign's advanced typesetting features make it a top choice for working with text and layout.

These are just a few examples of the graphic design software you'll want to familiarize yourself with. Remember, the tool doesn't make the designer—it's how you use it that counts. So, don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and learn as you go along. After all, that's how you learn graphic design in six months, right?

Study the work of other designers

Now that you're getting the hang of the tools, it's time to gather inspiration and learn from the pros. Studying the work of other graphic designers can give you insights into different styles, techniques, and trends in the industry.

Understanding Different Styles

Just like in fashion or architecture, graphic design has different styles. Some designers might lean towards minimalism, using simple shapes and muted colors, while others prefer a more complex, detailed approach. By looking at a range of work, you can understand these different styles and decide what resonates with you.

Learning Techniques

By studying the work of others, you can also pick up new techniques. How did they create that texture? What fonts are they using? How are the colors balanced? Observing and learning from these details can enrich your own work and speed up your process of learning graphic design in six months.

Like any other field, graphic design has trends that come and go. By following established designers and design blogs, you can keep up with what's new and fresh in the design world. However, remember trends are not rules. It's always best to prioritize your creative instincts and the needs of your project over what's currently in vogue.

As you study other designers, remember to keep developing your own unique style. After all, your individuality is your greatest asset as a designer. So, keep exploring, keep learning, and you'll be well on your way to mastering how to learn graphic design in six months.

Practice designing your own projects

So now you're equipped with the basics and you've taken a deep dive into the world of graphic design — it's time to get your hands dirty! The key to learning graphic design in six months is practice, practice, and more practice. Let's get started.

Start Small

Begin with small tasks. Design a logo for your imaginary company, or create a poster for a friend's local event. The goal here isn't perfection but progress. You'll quickly learn what works and what doesn't, and you'll be amazed at how much these mini projects can boost your confidence and skills.

Set Challenges for Yourself

As you grow more comfortable, try setting challenges for yourself. Can you design a complete webpage layout? Or maybe a magazine spread? These challenges will push the boundaries of your skills and knowledge, accelerating your journey on how to learn graphic design in six months.

Experiment and Learn from Mistakes

Don't be afraid to experiment. Try new color palettes, play with different fonts, test various layouts — the sky's the limit. And remember, every mistake is an opportunity to learn. So go ahead, make those blunders, and then brush them off and keep going. That's the spirit of a true designer!

By setting your own projects and challenges, you're not just practicing — you're also building a collection of work that you can showcase. And speaking of showcasing, that will be the next step in your journey on how to learn graphic design in six months. But more on that later...

Take on real client projects

After honing your skills with personal projects, it's time to step out into the real world. It may seem daunting, but remember, every professional was once a beginner. Here are some helpful steps to get you started with real client work.

Start with Volunteering

Offer your newly acquired design services to local businesses, non-profits, or community events. This is a fantastic way to gain experience, build confidence, and start making a name for yourself. Plus, you're helping others — it's a win-win!

Seek Small Freelance Jobs

You can also look for small freelance jobs on platforms like UpWork or Fiverr. These platforms cater to clients who need quick tasks done, making them perfect for beginners. Remember, it's not about the money at this stage. It's about gaining experience and learning how to handle client relationships.

Ask for Feedback

Every project is a learning opportunity. Always ask your clients for feedback. What did they like? What could be better? This will help you understand your strengths and areas of improvement, which is crucial in learning how to become a graphic designer in six months.

By taking on real client projects, you're getting a taste of the professional world of graphic design. This real-world experience will be invaluable as you continue your journey. And who knows? You might even start getting paid work! But before you can truly sell your services, there's one more step to take: creating a portfolio. Stay tuned for that in the next section...

Create a portfolio of your work

Having a portfolio is a must for any graphic designer. It's your visual CV, showcasing your skills, style, and range. But how exactly do you create one? Let's break down some steps to help you get started.

Choose Your Best Work

Quality trumps quantity when it comes to portfolios. So, go through your projects and select those that you think best represent your abilities. These could be pieces from your personal projects, volunteer work, or any small freelance jobs you've undertaken during your six-month learning journey.

Create a Website

Nowadays, it's easier than ever to create a website, even if you're not a coding wizard. Platforms like Wix or Squarespace offer user-friendly interfaces and templates. Use one of them to craft a clean, easy-to-navigate website. Remember, the focus should be on your work, so avoid any distracting elements.

Include Project Descriptions

Alongside each piece, write a brief description. Explain the client brief, your thought process, and the tools you used. This will give potential employers or clients insight into your problem-solving skills and design process.

By now, you should be well on your way to learning graphic design in six months. With a portfolio in hand, you're ready to show the world what you've got. So go ahead, share your work, and keep improving. As they say, practice makes perfect. Ready to dive into the world of graphic design? I bet you are.

If you're eager to start your graphic design journey, we recommend checking out the workshop 'Designing a Logo in 1 Hour' by Linsey Mouse. This workshop will give you a taste of graphic design through a hands-on project, and it's a great way to practice your skills as you progress through your six-month learning journey.