Becoming a Graphic designer involves a lot of dedication and hard work, as there are many things that have to be learned. If you are interested in becoming a creative graphic designer, chances are that you are going to have to invest a lot of time before you begin to understand all the software tools and what you can get out of each one.

Also, theory without practice will limit your options, which is something that many people are unaware of, as getting a good working position requires a hefty CV and plenty of work experience. This is why many graphic designers create a series of DIY projects that help them become better and give them something to put in their portfolio.

Let’s take a look at some of the ideas that you could practice to move from being a beginner, to an experienced designer.

Design business cards

Although some may feel that Business cards are an outdated form of advertising, the fact that businesses still employ them for networking purposes would suggest otherwise.

If you want to do something fun, design a business card that you would like using in the future, or pick a local business for whom you would create a business card for free. This is a great DIY project that can land you some projects in the future.

Do your online research to get motivated. You will be able to find a variety of designs online, giving you the right idea about the key components of a business card. Get to work and surprise a local business with your gift, people will appreciate it. Plus it might land you some business proposals and free word of mouth marketing.

Reach out to blogs with great infographics

Infographics are currently a very popular way of attracting readers and sharing snippets of important information with them. You probably have your favorite blog, so, reaching out to them with a great infographic is a great way to start developing a professional relationship with them.

The fact that it is a blog you enjoy reading is going to make you feel responsible for creating a top notch infographic that the readers will find interesting. This is a great DIY project that should not take too much time. The hardest part is picking which facts would be useful for their readers and the rest depends solely on your creativity.

Repeat this project with several different blogs, and you will be surprised to what type of business proposals this might lead. You might even be approached for long term collaboration.

Customize your own website with great graphic elements

A well-designed website is like a modern day digital business card. So, if you are planning on becoming a great graphic designer, designing your own website is a perfect project for you. You can do your best to create an interesting website, as you can practice using various graphic elements to create a breathtaking whole.

This is a great way to showcase what you are capable of. It can be a long-term project that you are going to work on in your free time. It is a perfect way to build up an attractive online CV.

Create free stuff for local restaurants

Business cards are not the only thing you could work on. For example, restaurants use menus to showcase what they are offering, and good menu design can make the whole experience much more pleasant for all the restaurant’s customers.

Visit a couple of restaurants and take a look at their menus. Pick one you like the least and make the job of improving it your personal DIY project. The more time you invest in it, the better the design is going to turn out.

To become a great graphic designer, it is necessary to start working on your practical skills. This leads to meeting new challenges. Everyone starts at the beginning, but through DIY projects, you can learn a lot of things that relate to your design style.

It will not only help you learn new skills, but it is also going to pay off in the long run, as you will have something to show to your future clients. These are only some of the ideas you could work on, simply think about any project that would require a graphic designer’s touch and start working on it.

Most importantly, finished projects will positively affect your self-esteem, which will keep you motivated to go on.