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Life as a Graphic Designer: Advice from Inside the Industry
Life as a Graphic Designer:
Advice from Inside the Industry
 To be successful in the field of graphic design, you have to be both creative and technical, using imagination as well as business sense. This mixed bag of required skills and knowledge is what enticed 27-year-old Nayssam Shujauddin of Mississauga, Ont., into this fast-paced and dynamic industry.
Breaking Ground
After graduating from the advertising program at Algonquin College in Ottawa, Nayssam got her foot in the door of the graphic design industry after relocating to Kelowna, B.C., where she spent the next two years as a graphic designer at Kelowna Graphic Works.
"In a graphic design shop, there really is no typical day. My job kept me busy with multiple tasks, and it kept me moving around, so I didn't have to just be at my desk from 9 to 5 each day," Nayssam says.
After satisfying a coffee fix, she would settle down for the first of many e-mail checks for the day, looking over proofs from clients, and processing new orders. The actual design work could cover a broad range of items, including logos, business cards, letterheads, stamps, brochures, tickets, vinyl prints, and vehicle decals. Other tasks Nayssam handled throughout the day included providing estimates, processing payments, and meeting with potential clients.
As a full-service shop, Kelowna Graphic Works offers many other services aside from straight design work, including printing and production. "I was trained in production, so that when the shop got hectic, I could step in and help with a variety of tasks outside of actual design, from installing decals on vehicles to laminating and mounting large prints and canvases," says Nayssam.
Taking the Plunge
After almost two years in Kelowna, Nayssam was ready to take the next step in her career development. She moved back to her hometown of Mississauga, and by March of 2010, one of her ultimate career goals came to fruition when she officially opened her own graphic design business.
Through this home-based business, she offers a huge range of services, including the design of small and large-format print media, logos, business cards, signage, posters, flyers, newsletters, resumes, and product packaging. She also offers specialized services, such as photo manipulation, illustration, and even customized tattoo designs.
"The best thing about having my own business is not working for ‘the man,'" Nayssam says with a laugh. "But, seriously, I love making my own hours, doing things the way I like, and having the freedom to learn from my own mistakes." On the other hand, she explains that all that freedom comes at an inevitable price, as with great freedom comes great responsibility. "It's terrifying. It's always going to be nerve-wracking, and you don't always reap what you sow—sometimes the money comes in and sometimes it doesn't. Also, being brand new, you work more and make less," says Nayssam.
However, for Nayssam, it's all worth it in the end. "I love dreaming up plans and figuring out how to go about reaching my goals. It's all kind of exciting and adventurous," she says.
Tricks of the Trade
Thinking back on her experiences, she offers the following advice for anyone interested in entering the graphic design field, "I would strongly suggest taking a related course and learning from someone who's done it before. There are so many small details that are important parts of the trade," she says. "Although advertising covers a wide range of topics, I leaned towards the arts side of it. But, there are so many other things I learned that currently apply to my job."
As for anyone with the goal of opening their own graphic design business, Nayssam suggests going into it with your eyes open. "Be excited and hopeful, but be smart about it, too—don't expect that everything is going to go perfectly the way you planned, and don't expect to make tons of money the first few years," she says. "Also, be flexible with yourself and with your clients, and constantly update your skills. But, most importantly, always stay positive and enjoy what you're doing. It's all a learning experience and it needs time to grow."
Your Next Steps
To find out more about graphic design training, take the first step by checking out this available guide to graphic design schools and programs.
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