Brandingmay seem like a fairly new thing for businesses, but in fact, it's only how brandingoccurs that has changed. In the past, it was usually an outside advertising agency that came up with what we would today call a brand for a product or service. Today, as a brand designer, you would work with a company to help develop this identity. You might work on a freelance basis, for the company itself, or for an outside agency, and the brand that you create might be for a new company or for an existing company looking for a fresh image. The tips below can help you prepare for a careerin this area.

Get Your Education

You should start by getting a bachelor's degree. This is a baseline requirement for many entry-level positions, but it will also give you some of the knowledge and experience you'll need in your first job. There are several different subjects you might get your degree in depending on your interests, such as graphic design, visual communications or marketing. Having student loansavailable are one way for you to pay for your education, with need-based loans available from the federal government and loans not based on need available from private lenders.

Get Experience

The paradox of how toget experience so that you can get a job in the first place is not a new one, but this is another reason that going to college is a good idea. Becoming a college student can open the door to internships, which is a great way to network, learn more about the field you're going into, and get that experience that will be so important on your resume after you graduate. You can also learn current professional trends like, how to end an emailand proper Zoom etiquette in advance of starting your career, creating a safe place to land for any mistakes you may make due to lack of experience.

Create Your Portfolio

Unlike some professions, where employers essentially have to take your word, their instincts, and the word of your former employers that you can do your job, when it comes to brand identityand design, you need to be able to demonstrate your expertise with a portfolio. Both your classes and any internships or related part-time work that you do, even if it is not a formal internship, can give you the material that you need to build your portfolio, which will also be a critical element in your job search. In addition, you can do some design work on a volunteer base if you need to bulk out your portfolio. Ideally, you should have both a printed and digital version.

Develop Your Soft Skills

There are nontechnical soft skillsyou need to develop to be successful in this area as well. Good communication is a must because you need to be able to convey your ideas effectively to your client. You will need to be creative, having a vision of what a company's image could be, and knowing how to convey that image to their potential customers. You should also develop your skills both at working on a team and at leadershipsince you may be both part of and leading a team at different times.