The Harsh Reality: Why Most Newbie Designers Fail to Make it Big

As a newbie designer just starting out, there are several harsh realities that can make it extremely difficult to achieve your career goals in this competitive field:

Lack of Experience

One of the biggest hurdles is not having a substantial body of professional work to showcase in your portfolio. Clients and employers want to see a strong track record, not just student projects. Without those proven design chops, it's an uphill battle to get hired.

Designers don't start out being great designers. We spend years unlearning our bad habits and biases. - Michael Bierut

Oversaturated Market

The sad truth is that the design world is absolutely flooded with talented creatives all vying for the same opportunities. You're not just competing against your local pool of designers, but a global workforce. Standing out from the crowd as an unknown newbie is extraordinarily tough.

Gaps in Skills/Training

Even if you have raw talent and passion, there are so many technical skills and areas of expertise to master in design. If your training or education has any gaps or weaknesses, employers may not see you as a strong candidate compared to more comprehensive portfolios.

Financial Instability

Breaking into any new creative career means a period of financial instability and low income at first. Can you afford to work for free as an intern or take entry-level roles at low pay? The struggle can be brutal.

Burnout and Harsh Realities

The design grind is incredibly demanding - long hours, nitpicky clients, looming deadlines, tech problems, etc. It's easy to get burnt out and depleted, especially when you're new and feel like you're flailing. Many give up when they realize how draining it can be.

Imposter Syndrome

Self-doubt and feelings of being a fraud in the industry are extremely common, especially early on. It's hard to persevere and promote yourself confidently when you don't yet feel like a "real" designer.

Criticism and Rejection

Brutal critiques and endless revisions are par for the course. Having your work torn apart can be disheartening. Constant "thanks but no thanks" rejections from jobs and clients is demoralizing.

So, Take Note:

The odds are stacked against new designers from the start. It takes an incredibly thick skin, tireless work ethic, and unwavering passion to power through all the challenges. Many may have the talent, but lack the persistence to breakthrough.