Building a Career in Design: 5 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Started

Honest lessons on growth, confidence, and staying in the design game.

No one really tells you how confusing the early years of a design career can feel.
You’re learning constantly, doubting yourself quietly, and trying to look confident while figuring things out as you go.

Looking back, I didn’t struggle because I lacked talent. I struggled because I didn’t yet understand how growth in design actually works.

Starting a career in design can feel overwhelming. I remember jumping between tools, comparing myself to designers who seemed far ahead, and wondering if I was already falling behind - even when I was putting in the work.

Most of the lessons that shaped my career had very little to do with software. They had everything to do with mindset, patience, and learning how to keep going when progress felt slow or invisible.

These are five things I genuinely wish I had understood earlier. They would have saved me a lot of unnecessary pressure and helped me grow with more clarity and confidence in my design career path.

💼 1. Your First Job Is Not Your Final Destination

Your first job is a classroom, not a label.

Early roles are about learning, not defining your entire career. It’s easy to believe that your first position sets the direction for everything that follows, but in reality, it’s just one step in a much longer journey.

What matters most at this stage is exposure to different ways of working - understanding workflows, learning how to receive feedback, and seeing how creative teams actually operate. Even jobs that don’t feel like a perfect fit can teach lessons that quietly shape how you think, work, and make decisions later on.

🖼️ 2. Your Portfolio Matters More Than Your Resume

In design, your work speaks louder than your credentials.

A strong portfolio doesn’t need to be large - it needs to be clear, intentional, and honest. One well-explained project is often more valuable than five rushed ones. Showing your thinking matters just as much as showing the final result.

When you explain why you made certain decisions, people begin to understand how you approach problems, not just how things look. That clarity builds trust far more effectively than a long list of tools or job titles.

This is also where structured feedback can make a real difference. Having experienced eyes help you identify what strengthens a portfolio - what to include, what to cut, and how to present work with intent - often accelerates growth far more than working in isolation. It’s something we focus on within SOM’s portfolio-focused courses, where feedback is centered on clarity and long-term development rather than quick wins.

Find out more about how our courses work, including personalized critiques, portfolio reviews and accountability groups!

Ready to make your work stand out from the crowd? Check out Demo Reel Dash!

🔀 3. Stop Comparing Yourself to Other Creatives

Comparison is one of the most damaging habits in a creative career.

Social media and online portfolios show polished outcomes, not the years of uncertainty, failed attempts, and quiet self-doubt behind them. Feeling behind doesn’t mean you are behind - it usually means you care.

Everyone’s path looks different. The only comparison that truly matters is you versus your past self. If you’re learning, improving, and showing up consistently, you’re moving forward - even when it doesn’t feel dramatic or visible yet.

💬 4. Feedback Is a Skill You Have to Learn

Learning how to receive feedback without taking it personally is a turning point.

Critique isn’t about judging your ability; it’s about improving the work. The skill lies in listening without immediately defending your choices, asking better questions, and learning how to decide which feedback to apply and which to let go.

Once feedback stops feeling like a threat, growth becomes faster and far less stressful. It shifts from something you brace yourself for into something you actively seek out.

🎨 5. Tools Change, Fundamentals Don’t

Design tools will always change. That part is unavoidable.

What stays constant are fundamentals: composition, hierarchy, clarity, storytelling, and intention. Strong foundations make it easier to adapt, learn new tools, and stay confident as the industry evolves.

When fundamentals are solid, tools become just that - tools - instead of something you constantly chase in order to feel relevant. Fundamentals-based learning creates designers who can move with the industry rather than react to it.

Careers in design aren’t built overnight. They’re built through consistency, self-belief, and patience - especially during periods when progress feels slow or invisible.

If you keep learning and focus on your own growth, you’re already further along than you might think. Staying in the game matters more than moving fast.

Want to see what courses, workshops and events are coming up next at School of Motion? Check out our Coming Soon page!

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About the Author

Renato Cassis is a motion designer and illustrator working across brand, editorial, and digital projects. He also works as a teaching assistant at School of Motion, supporting students through feedback and critique. His work focuses on clarity, strong fundamentals, and thoughtful visual storytelling, with an emphasis on long-term creative growth.