Where to go with graphic design

Graphic Design
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21

That’s fair, and I think your point about the pipeline shrinking from the bottom up is a real concern.

On the coding side, I’ve been using AI myself without any formal background, and it’s definitely powerful. But what I’ve found is that it still depends heavily on the person guiding it.

I can usually get something working because I understand the workflow and what the end result should look like. But getting something efficient or well-structured is a different story. I’ve had cases where an experienced developer reduced a 100-line script down to 10 lines, and when I tried to get AI to replicate that approach, it struggled even with a working example.

So it’s not that AI can’t do it, it’s more that it still relies on someone who understands the problem properly, not just someone prompting at a high level.

I’ve seen a similar pattern in prepress over the years. When I started, there were multiple roles across the department, typesetters, designers, proofing, imposition, plates, management. Within a few years, that was reduced to just a couple of people as the technology improved.

So I agree that AI will likely continue that trend, doing more with fewer people.

Where I’d differ slightly is that I don’t think it removes the need for people entirely. It reduces the numbers, but the people who remain need to be more capable and more adaptable. Even getting consistent results out of AI tools requires a level of understanding that not everyone will have.

So it feels less like replacement, and more like compression, fewer roles, but higher expectations on the ones that remain.

That’s a real concern.

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22

Sitting at my laptop at 4 AM, and this is the one feeling I’ve been trying to get across but wasn’t sure how to, and it’s literally not knowing where to start, as in I’m sitting trying to piece everything together but I don’t know where to go next, as in what do I DO with design next. Courses seemed like an option before because they at least have some timeline, but now I see that you’re right that they won’t help me and I’ll still be spinning in circles.

I still have a lot to learn with design, I am not even a good designer, and putting it all together is making me feel stuck. I want to work hard for it, I really do, it’s not something I want to drop when I see the smallest bit of potential and at least I can explore my choices, but I feel like I need something to really push me on.

23

Yes, I think that’s true for most fields where AI threatens jobs. For example, even though AI might replace four junior designers, paralegals, or market analysts, it will likely still take one person who knows enough to structure and communicate the problem, so AI knows what it’s supposed to accomplish.

24

33 here :blush:

But my first years have been super rookie times :face_with_open_eyes_and_hand_over_mouth:

So I’m probably below 30 :blush:

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25

Start with doing free jobs, This way you build clients and skills at the same time

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26

Don’t do free work.

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28

I can relate to this more than you might think. I also went through a phase where I spent months watching tutorials, recreating other people’s work, and feeling like I was “learning” without actually getting any closer to being ready for clients. Looking back, the problem wasn’t a lack of resources—it was a lack of direction.

If you’ve already spent two years with Inkscape and Illustrator, I don’t think you need to start over with another long list of tutorials. Instead, I’d pick one area to specialize in for a while, whether that’s branding, social media design, packaging, or web graphics, and build projects around real business scenarios. I improved much faster once I stopped asking, “What should I learn next?” and started asking, “How would I solve this as if a client had hired me?”

As for courses, I don’t agree with the blanket advice that you should never pay for one. A well-structured course can save you weeks of jumping between random YouTube videos. The key is to use it as a roadmap, not as your entire education. Spend more time creating your own work than watching lessons.

One thing that helped me was studying work from established studios instead of only following tutorial creators. I’d look at how agencies presented branding systems, client case studies, and design decisions. I even came across portfolios from studios like copa design while researching different approaches, and it was useful to see how complete projects were presented rather than just individual logo concepts. That gave me a better sense of what clients actually expect.

I’d also recommend getting your work critiqued regularly. Join design communities, post your projects, and ask for honest feedback—even if it’s uncomfortable. That’s where I saw the biggest improvement because experienced designers pointed out things I never noticed on my own.

Finally, don’t wait until you feel “good enough” to freelance. Build 5–10 polished portfolio pieces based on fictional briefs if you need to, treat them like real client projects, explain your thinking, and keep refining them. Client-worthy work usually comes from solving real design problems, not from mastering every Illustrator tool.

You’re already ahead of complete beginners because you’ve put in the time before. Now it’s less about consuming more content and more about building a focused portfolio and getting consistent feedback. That’s what helped me break out of the tutorial loop.

29

Hi There …

Just an advice: find some inspiration, make or remake your own portfolio and search for an advertising agency or search your own clients !

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