Question by NuW JER5EY J: What do I need to do to become A successful Graphic Designer?
I am currently running a small business company called “EKLIPz KREATIONz” in which handles most graphic art designs for hip-hop and urban orientated clients. But i can’t say business is booming.(b-cuz it not)i am takin graphic art classes in school and im learning quite a bit, but i dont think im learning what it takes to really get out there and make money. What id like to know is, Is there a place where i can learn new stuff(financial and business wise) or is there a company i can join and work for a team as an internship or apprentiseship in which i can get the knowledge to do my own thing.

the website for the company is: http://eklipzmedia.tripod.com

Best answer:

Answer by jedimorgana
Short & Sweet:
1. Get a real website that doesn’t have ads or pop-ups (tripod is terrible with those). www.godaddy.com offers domain name registration and yearly hosting for peanuts, and they’re pretty good to boot, I hear.

2. Your website isn’t very professional. My personal opinion is that using internet speak isn’t really mature, and therefore you will not necessarily seem like a guy who gets his stuff done, right and on-time. Remember, advertising execs use graphic artists, too, and they are corporate. Unfortunately, the corporate world is pretty square, and don’t want to waste time struggling to figure out what you’re trying to say. Also, people want someone who comes across as 100% in charge and professional. I’m not getting that from your current site. Also, many of your sample pictures came up as brokent links. You can’t afford broken links.

3. Go to your local tech college for seminars. Also, contact your state agencies for Small Business services. Where I live, there is a mentorship program where people make great contacts and get advice from people that have been through it. You can also get small business loans, as well.

4. Diversify your art. The only way to be really successful is to practice. I know that currently you specialize in urban/hip hop, but to get the most business you need to be available to other venues. You should know all different types of software, and really work to do other things besides your current niche and have examples. Your artwork should speak for you and show how good you really are. Pigeonholing yourself isn’t going to help you compete against a dozen others who are really good. Unfortunately, this is a very high competition area right now. I know quite a few great graphic artists who can’t get jobs for anything. Society is very fickle, and you never know: Abercrombie & Fitch kids who listen to country music could take over, and suddenly your business would totally dry up. Your best avenue to survive is to have lots of different experience and different styles.

3. Make t-shirts and put them up for sale online. www.cafepress.com is one that I think I’ve seen used. Put a variety of stuff out there, and see what people like. It’s free marketing!

Good luck!

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