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With its ability to let you use your creative side and connect with clients, many people see graphic design as an appealing career path. However, before deciding on taking the leap into your future as a graphic designer, you may wonder if it is possible to regret making this career choice.
As with any profession, it is possible to regret being a graphic designer. This can be caused by the competition for jobs, long hours, demanding clients, or other struggles related to the field. When considering becoming a graphic designer, it is best to consider if this is a career path that you are truly passionate about.
Keep reading to learn more about some reasons why people regret becoming graphic designers and some things you can keep in mind if you are trying to determine whether or not graphic design is the right fit for you.
Why Do People Sometimes Regret Being a Graphic Designer?
Many people love their careers in graphic design. It allows people to make art on a daily basis and sometimes work on their own schedule if they choose to be a freelancer. However, graphic design, like any other career, has its ups and downs. The following sections will discuss some of the common reasons why people may regret working in this field.
Lots of Competition
Because it is so appealing, many artistically-minded people choose to go into graphic design. This means that in recent years, competition for certain jobs has gone way up. Although there remains a high demand for graphic designers, there is often high competition for these job openings:
- Corporate graphic design jobs
- Freelancing projects
- Work for a graphic design firm
While you will probably still find a job somewhere if you network and pursue opportunities, the exhaustion of applying and being rejected for countless positions can cause many people to lose their interest.
Challenging Work Conditions
Many graphic designers choose to work on a freelance basis so they can have more control over their own schedule and the projects they pursue. As freelancing becomes more popular in the digital era, it is important not to equate freelancing with total freedom.
Graphic designers, especially those working in a freelance capacity, may find themselves struggling with these work conditions:
- Long hours: Whether you work for a firm or on a freelance basis, you can expect to put in a lot of hours. Graphic designers must complete projects exactly to their client’s specifications. Although certain resources, like Placeit.net, can make your designing life easier, sometimes this requires many edits and lots of fine-tuning to get things right.
- Client expectations: While some clients may demand less of you, it’s inevitable to encounter extremely picky or demanding clients. Additionally, as a freelancer, you may come across pay disputes or situations where a client hopes you will do some or all of your design work for free.
- Low pay: Especially when you are starting, graphic design may not pay as much as you want it to. Building a strong portfolio may mean you have to take many lower-paying projects to build your reputation.
- Mental toll: Graphic design usually creates a mindset of perfectionism and constant growth. While this has its upsides, it can also be exhausting and take a toll on you mentally.
With these challenges in mind, graphic design can still be an extremely rewarding career. It all depends on whether you are the right person to pursue a career in this field.
How to Decide if You Want to be a Graphic Designer
Lots of aspiring graphic designers may not be fully aware of some of the hardships that face this career field.
If you are considering a career in graphic design, consider the following things:
- Passion: If you love art and design, this can be a great field for you. If graphic design is something you love to do, then you should do it!
- Experience: If possible, get some experience with graphic design beforehand to see how you like it. Websites like Placeit can help you create designs easily and get started.
- Realistic expectations: If you are realistic about the challenges you may face, you will be less likely to become disappointed.
If you are a dedicated designer who loves what they do and doesn’t mind getting paid low wages to start, graphic design could still be an amazing field for you.
Conclusion
As with any career field, people sometimes regret going into graphic design. However, with the right considerations and expectations, you can make an informed career choice that will help you avoid regrets.
