My journey as a Graphics Designer

When it started

It was back in 2020 when all the chaos unfolded due to the pandemic. I used to do urban photography during my free time. However, I had to stay home because of lockdowns in various red zones. As a result, I couldn't continue my photography and began searching for an alternative hobby.

Having a keen eye for design and an artistic mindset, I made the decision to jump into graphic design. Actually, a friend of mine is a freelancer in the field. Seeing how he was earning a substantial income through graphic design, gave me an opportunity to earn during the pandemic. This led me to begin learning through YouTube videos and online resources.

Design ideas and inspirations

You can't just jump into the main work without any ideas or inspiration. Every artist or designer out there needs some kind of inspiration to boost their brain and explore new ideas. Some find ideas from the real world, some from others' works. 

When I started at first, I was lost. I didn't know which sector of graphics designing I'm gonna dive into. So I decided to learn to make Facebook covers and Twitter headers for other creators. My main inspiration came from other big designers from Behance and YouTube. I watched hundreds of tutorials from them and slowly but steadily learned the basic fundamentals of cover design.

The struggles 

My journey in graphic design had challenges. Learning was tough, and I grew frustrated when things didn't work as expected. I had doubts and felt overwhelmed by tutorials and comparisons. Not seeing quick progress made me lose motivation.

But these hard times helped me get better. I learned from my mistakes, asked for help, and used frustration to improve.

Gradually, things got better. Designs that seemed impossible became possible. With hard work, I was able to break the barrier and discover new designs which I wouldn't dare try in my rookie days.

Changing of design styles and journey through different sectors

By watching numerous tutorials and practicing, I eventually became skilled enough to take on commissioned work for prominent organizations and creators. Like any other designer, I created a Behance profile to showcase my work and attract new clients. 

As expected, my projects gained many views, for example, this project. Clients from different regions began reaching out to me. Unfortunately, a majority of the clients wanted clothing designs for their own brands, which posed a challenge since my expertise was in basic cover designs. As a result, I lost these potential clients. So, I decided to shift my design focus to clothing brands. That's how I started gathering knowledge to make t-shirt designs. 

How t-shirt designing kickstarted my own clothing brand

As I said, I started watching tutorials about t-shirt designs as this is one of the most popular sectors in the world of graphics design. I designed some t-shirts and to get some feedback, I asked some of my friends. One friend of mine really liked the designs and suggested that I should start an online shop. When I explained my lack of required funds, he proposed that we start the business together, with me as the designer.

And now here I am, making t-shirts for a renowned online clothing line in Bangladesh. I could never have imagined any of this becoming a reality, but with the blessings of the Almighty Allah, I have achieved self-reliance and established a source of income for myself. Here are some designs I made: 

If you want to start designing, here are some tips

When I talk to beginners in graphic design, I often notice a common mistake: they lack consistency. Some people try for just a day or two and then give up, thinking they should be improving really fast.

But that's not how it works. You can't become really good in just a day or two. If you want to get good at something, you have to keep at it for a while. This applies to any kind of work. So, my advice is to be patient and practice regularly. You'll definitely get better over time. You may get stuck at some points just like I did, but don't let that demotivate you. Failure is the key to success. Keep at it and you will reach the level you want eventually!

Thanks for reading about my design journey. Your time means a lot. Remember, hard work pays off. Keep practicing, and you'll make your dreams real. Thanks again!