Designing your career in design: experts share their top tips
Are you looking for a colourful career? Thousands of graduates are looking to break into the design industry, but how can you stand out from the crowd? Here a selection of industry experts and former graduates give their tips on how to succeed.
Isobel Dennis is director of New Designers
Information and connections
Be well informed, become part of the professional community. Sign up to industry newsletters, blogs, Twitter and attend networking events. Use any form of media that keeps you up-to-date with what is going on in your field. Information leads to opportunities.
Think about the whole package
You can't just rely on your portfolio being impressive. You have to be just as impressive as a person. Be reliable, be professional, respond swiftly, deliver on time and communicate well via all forms of media. People like to work with people they like and trust.
Claire Vallis is design director of Harlequin
Familiarise yourself with the industry
Gain an understanding of the market and the main players within it. You can research the fabric and furnishing market via the net and by digesting home interest magazines and visiting retailers. This will help you widen your search when looking for openings in the design world.
Demonstrate a good understanding of colour within your portfolio
Although a good drawing hand is essential, I always want to see a good use of colour throughout a student's work.  So much of what we do at Harlequin is about colour. Any designer within a studio will be dealing with colour every day, so a portfolio should show an understanding of what makes different colours work together.
Have your portfolio available to view at all times. Don't just rely on the work you have on display, but take as many other strong projects, drawings, mood board, colourings etc to back up your work. Prospective employers will want to see lots of ideas and interest – someone who has made the most of their degree course.
Ella Doran is an award-winning designer-entrepreneur
Stand out from the crowd
Don't play it safe in your designs as that is noticeable and boring. Challenge yourself rather than try to please imaginary others. You will please some real people that way. Try to develop your own look and talents and go for what you're passionate about.
Be open to opportunities to collaborate, freelance, work for a company and travel. Take your time to figure out how to run your own business – it needs to suit your personality and go beyond designing. It's valuable to gain experience in collaboration, production and distribution early on because there's a lot to learn about what not to do.
Take it one step at a time
Don't worry too much about not having all the answers straight away. Talk to anyone you think may have something interesting to say, ask questions and be prepared to put a lot of effort into your work. But stop to reflect if you find you're not enjoying what you're doing.
Louise Tiler is a surface pattern designer
Get online
Blogs and social media are a fantastic tool and an effective way to connect with industry leaders, designers, manufactures and customers. And they're also a great way to advertise. Blogs can raise your profile and help to advertise your work.
Be willing to work hard
You have to be focused on what you need to achieve and use every opportunity to further your career. Meet contacts and be aware of opportunities such as competitions, grants and government funding that may be available to drive your future business.
Make a short and long term plan or have goals to aim towards. This will keep you focused and determined to do well. Look at other companies and see how they have achieved success and use them as your inspiration.
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