An apprenticeship is not legally required to become a graphic designer, but it can provide real-world training. A portfolio is necessary to get an apprenticeship, and students should learn graphic design while in school. Local businesses and professional organizations offer apprenticeships, but they may not be paid. It is not necessary to take an apprenticeship to become a professional designer.
You can get a graphic design apprenticeship in a number of ways, including through a professional organization or a local business. Unlike many other professions, an apprenticeship is not legally required to become a graphic designer, but it is a good way to get real-world training while you study. If you’re not currently enrolled in school, graphics or a related field, this could be the first step towards gaining an apprenticeship unless you have the skills to show you know what you’re doing.
In most cases, students benefit from learning graphic design while still in school or directly after graduation. Sometimes an employer offers additional training. If you are not enrolled or have no prior training in graphic design, you will need an impressive portfolio before you can get an apprenticeship. A portfolio is a hard copy or digital compilation of your previous work. If you’re in school, a portfolio is still important, but you’ll likely get plenty of samples to include during classroom projects.
To get a graphic design apprenticeship, reach out to local businesses to find out what they offer. You might find lists of companies that hire designers at your school, and you might even hear about potential learnings from instructors or other students. You will likely be asked to fill out an application as you would any job and submit your portfolio or a link to samples of your work online. If the company likes your work, you’ll be called in for an interview, so they can get a better idea of whether you’re a good partner for their business.
You can get a graphic design apprenticeship from professional advertising organizations. The application process is generally the same. With organization-sponsored apprenticeships, you will likely not be paid for the work you do during training. On the other hand, apprenticeships for a company often offer on-the-job experience combined with traditional classroom instruction. However, you should be aware that it is not necessary to take an apprenticeship to become a professional designer. Requirements to be hired vary from company to company.
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