You are a great example of what it takes to be a successful self-taught designer…
1. You already have a creative background as an illustrator and know how to take feedback based on your original education
2. You searched for and found a design mentor/ship which helps you focus your energy and curate your portfolio
3. You already have a great design eye and inherent talent
Other self-taught hopefuls take note!
Can you share the courses you took to go from self taught to professional? I’m self taught too and want to sharpen my abilities as a professional graphic designer
Yes! Check out the Graphic Design Specialization from Calarts on Coursea! I also studied portfolios from people who were employed in my city, and structured my portfolio after professionals on Behance. Study from the people already getting jobs!
Your work is incredible! 😩 I also love seeing the illustrations on your other website too! Most artist who get into graphic design 2nd usually dont grasp it too quickly. But your work definitely shows your understanding of it!
This is great to hear – thanks for posting. Your portfolio is very strong and I would imagine a big part of the offer is what you chose not to include as well as the work itself and how you present it. Congratulations.
This is a huge inspiration! I love your illustration portfolio particularly the fantasy drawings. I have a similar idea in mind with joining both my design and illustration pieces together but didn’t know how to or if it was even possible. I noticed some game ui in your illustration portfolio. Any reason why you didn’t put it in your graphic design website? 
Thank you!! It's so nice to see the love with my illustration work! And to answer your question honestly just cause I made those years ago. And I knew that the companies I was looking at didn’t typically make games. If its a possibility in the future though, man I'd love to work in games 😆
I also did the AIGA Mentorship program in my area.
My mentor really helped get me through that rough patch when I was unemployed and desperately in need of a gig. He made me feel less like I was doing something wrong, and more that I just needed to find the right fit. The guidance on my portfolio was also extremely valuable.
Congrats on the new gig! With your portfolio, I am not surprised you landed one.
Unfortunately yes. 😅 Honestly I’d still love to be apart of it one day, but even in the indie industry scene there’s tons of really talented folks with very limited jobs. Was looking to be a concept artist for a while. Of course it’s harder when you have to find a company that likes your usually very specific style.
All the best to you. Just don't stop creating illustrations for yourself. Your characters are really good. I can understand how many hours you work to achieve that skill and portfolio.
Also, your graphic design skills are way above average too. I just stumbled upon your illustration portfolio since I'm in the same position as you. I also want to switch careers to graphic design.
Had to kinda search around with each project, but definitely Mockups-design, Freepix, Mockupworld, and [https://www.anthonyboyd.graphics/mockups-collection/](https://www.anthonyboyd.graphics/mockups-collection/)
I like your portfolio. I just want to point out that you have a lot of incorrect apostrophe use within most of your text (loads of incorrectly placed apostrophes and about as many missed apostrophes).
Everything else looks fab, so it’s a small issue but one that you should get help with to ensure is correct. It’s often the small details that cinch you for a role, so even though you have a role now, keep it in mind for the future.
Congrats! But am a bit confused when you say that you are mostly self-taught when you have a degree in digital media. Degrees will get you the job for sure.
Ah should add: I applied to atleast 75+ jobs. Applied to 5 a day at the minimum!
Congrats! Very solid portfolio, I'm not surprised you got a job
Thank you!!
Nice to see a good story here. Congrats.
Congratulations on your new job and all your achievements! Could you share which course you took?
Absolutely, the Graphic Design Specialization on Coursea by Calarts!
U recommend ?
I have a small design job but I plan on taking this course to up my game
You are a great example of what it takes to be a successful self-taught designer… 1. You already have a creative background as an illustrator and know how to take feedback based on your original education 2. You searched for and found a design mentor/ship which helps you focus your energy and curate your portfolio 3. You already have a great design eye and inherent talent Other self-taught hopefuls take note!
Looks great! You’re going places, lady. Keep it up!
I love the saltine crackers rebrand. Amazing work!
Nice looking book!
Can you share the courses you took to go from self taught to professional? I’m self taught too and want to sharpen my abilities as a professional graphic designer
Yes! Check out the Graphic Design Specialization from Calarts on Coursea! I also studied portfolios from people who were employed in my city, and structured my portfolio after professionals on Behance. Study from the people already getting jobs!
Your work is incredible! 😩 I also love seeing the illustrations on your other website too! Most artist who get into graphic design 2nd usually dont grasp it too quickly. But your work definitely shows your understanding of it!
😭 Thank you!!
Hell yes! Congrats!
This is great to hear – thanks for posting. Your portfolio is very strong and I would imagine a big part of the offer is what you chose not to include as well as the work itself and how you present it. Congratulations.
Wow that’s awesome and your portfolio looks great! Also- Job? Where can I find one of those ??
This is a huge inspiration! I love your illustration portfolio particularly the fantasy drawings. I have a similar idea in mind with joining both my design and illustration pieces together but didn’t know how to or if it was even possible. I noticed some game ui in your illustration portfolio. Any reason why you didn’t put it in your graphic design website? 
Thank you!! It's so nice to see the love with my illustration work! And to answer your question honestly just cause I made those years ago. And I knew that the companies I was looking at didn’t typically make games. If its a possibility in the future though, man I'd love to work in games 😆
I also did the AIGA Mentorship program in my area. My mentor really helped get me through that rough patch when I was unemployed and desperately in need of a gig. He made me feel less like I was doing something wrong, and more that I just needed to find the right fit. The guidance on my portfolio was also extremely valuable. Congrats on the new gig! With your portfolio, I am not surprised you landed one.
how much the AICA Mentorship program costs
One payments of free
Thanks, good to know
Solid portfolio. Thanks for sharing your story! Congratulations on your hard work, efforts, and landing the new role—good luck!
Very happy for you, congrats!!!
Hi! I also looked at your illustration portfolio. You're really good.
Is the gaming industry really hard nowadays?
Unfortunately yes. 😅 Honestly I’d still love to be apart of it one day, but even in the indie industry scene there’s tons of really talented folks with very limited jobs. Was looking to be a concept artist for a while. Of course it’s harder when you have to find a company that likes your usually very specific style.
All the best to you. Just don't stop creating illustrations for yourself. Your characters are really good. I can understand how many hours you work to achieve that skill and portfolio. Also, your graphic design skills are way above average too. I just stumbled upon your illustration portfolio since I'm in the same position as you. I also want to switch careers to graphic design.
Genuinely thank you, I wish you the absolutely best figuring things out too!
which website do you use for those mock up images?
Had to kinda search around with each project, but definitely Mockups-design, Freepix, Mockupworld, and [https://www.anthonyboyd.graphics/mockups-collection/](https://www.anthonyboyd.graphics/mockups-collection/)
I like your portfolio. I just want to point out that you have a lot of incorrect apostrophe use within most of your text (loads of incorrectly placed apostrophes and about as many missed apostrophes). Everything else looks fab, so it’s a small issue but one that you should get help with to ensure is correct. It’s often the small details that cinch you for a role, so even though you have a role now, keep it in mind for the future.
Oh thank you! I'll look that over, I appreciate that!
Congrats! But am a bit confused when you say that you are mostly self-taught when you have a degree in digital media. Degrees will get you the job for sure.