Brutally Honest Graphic Design Career Advice 2024

Brutally Honest Graphic Design Career Advice 2024: In this design vlog I share my brutally honest graphic design career advice. I also go into my personal story and how I got my start. If you're looking to get into graphic design in 2024, this video might help!
Some questions I address:
Do you need a college degree?
What should you charge?
Is graphic design right for you?
Learn To Design Merch:
www.merchdesignacademy.com
Design Resources:
www.charleypangus.com
Instagram:
/ charleypangus
Twitter:
/ charleypangusyt
TikTok:
/ charleypangus
TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - How I got my start
01:15 - Why you should become a graphic designer.
01:15 - Why you shouldn't become a graphic designer.
03:50 - Mistakes to avoid
08:40 - Closing thoughts

[@streetbs3586]

I bought Charlie course last year, because I loved his designs. A year later, I’m able to make tens of thousand from what Charly taught me. I had a plan what I wanted to do with the skills I learned. I didn’t want to make designs for a shirt and hoped it sell. I had a plan on how to get there with the skills acquired. For anyone interested in graphic design, I would highly recommend Charley’s course. It’s a STEAL right now with the monthly membership plan. You will learn more than enough to make some really great design. But you will need a game plan to make money off of it whether you decide to do freelancing or make your own stuff GOOD LUCK Ps I was a minimum wage worker for most of my life until a year ago when I got a significant pay raise. With the side hustle from design I’m clearing 100k+ this year. TY Charly

[@CharleyPangus]

This just made my entire day reading your comment. This is literally why I do what I do. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to provide value.

[@streetbs3586]

@@CharleyPangus thank you very much. It’s sad students get stuck with 50k college debt and nothing to show for after wasting 4 years. And the education is probably less than half as good of what you showed. 🙏

[@stomp4tm971]

I worked in this field without getting laid off for the last 26 years. What I don't get are clients expecting me to charge under $100 for a logo. Back in 1995 no one had an issue paying me $500 a logo or 3d render. I don't tell a plumber, "Hey, I only have this much to give you, and the job will be great for your career"

[@streetbs3586]

It’s because of fivver and those type of platforms and automated tools. It sucks

[@bakeraus]

It's a race to the bottom when every one doesn't keep the integrity of the profession up.

[@zacshiffer]

Good video brother. As a 20 year veteran in this field, everything he’s saying is true. I would also add; do not get married to your designs when you are proofing work to a client. Your feelings will get hurt. Have thick skin. Additionally, be prepared to explain your work, decisions, and defend the WHYs behind the choices you made. I feel like I should do a video similar to this. I like the format.

[@CharleyPangus]

Great add-on advice! Thanks for sharing. I would honestly love to see you make a video like this! Would be gold.

[@AfternoonPlay]

Way, way back in 1982 (per computer days), my high school careers teacher said, ‘You don’t want to be a graphic designer’ ‘they're a dime a dozen’! So… I bummed my way around the world for the next couple of decades, working mostly in construction. “Picked up” a copy of PS7 and illustrator in 2002 - they paid for my first home within four years, lol. Dig your style, man. Subscribed to your channel. _Everyone can recognize good design, but very few can achieve it._

[@CharleyPangus]

I’m reading this comment smiling! I just want to thank you for sharing this story because it really brightened up my night. It’s these moments that make me feel that it’s all worth it…. You rock! Thanks for subscribing 😀

[@jeanetterogers514]

Loved this video! Yes, I'm $50,000 in debt for student loans with 2 Associate degrees in Art and Digital Design (oh, and 1 in Fire Science...I was a firefighter) but the degrees gave me nothing and I'm 66 years old, chucking boxes at warehouse to make ends meet, not doing art. But your videos, and many others that I watch, are inspirational. I hope to get my creative juices going again before I kick the bucket. I have found that I learn so much more from KZbin than the college classes. I'm sure there are many out there who feel the same. Your video and openness gives us hope. Oh, I did get paid $1,000 for a logo. The "committee" couldn't stop making changes so I started charging by the hour.😅 A $250 logo ended up being $1,000. They must like it, they are still using it.

[@CharleyPangus]

I really appreciate you sharing a piece of your story with me! It’s refreshing to know we are all doing our best and that’s good enough if you ask me! Thanks for being a part of my creative journey. 🙏🏼

[@realdanielcohen]

Agree with so much of this, great video! Love getting the perspective of others that have been grinding for a while 💯

[@FirebrandF5]

Excellent video all around! Great points

[@91750fast]

Been designing mostly cool guy fashion for 20 years. Moved from socal to miami, back to socal, then back to miami again. Chasing customers and that good paycheck. 2024 has been the most challenging year yet and were only in FEB. Things have definitely changed, you have to start paying attention to technology if you expect to survive in this game. I would def explore other avenues, this whole game is very very hard.

[@sannsdixon7656]

I always enjoy your content. You are a fountain of knowledge! Thank you.

[@CharleyPangus]

I really appreciate this comment. It’s refreshing for me to hear and also motivates me to keep making videos. I truly appreciate you. 🙏🏼

[@joshenray]

Love this style of video. Thanks for the great advice man.

[@CharleyPangus]

Thank you man! I’m happy you enjoyed it.

[@OzArt]

I’ve been known to give some designers on KZbin a hard time but I have to say that this video is chock-full of useful information and I really appreciate the honesty and the tips and tricks that are in here. I’ve been following you for a while now, but this just solidifies what I already knew … what I saw with my own eyes, you’re a top notch designer and person. If I could just add one thing, I would say to other designers just have fun and enjoy the journey. 🙏 Thank you Charlie🤜🤛

[@CharleyPangus]

Words can’t even express how grateful I am for viewers like you. Comments like these make me feel like all my hard work was worth it. You’re awesome. Thank you times a million! 😀❤️

[@OzArt]

My pleasure, You ask at the end of the video if you should do more videos like those I say yes I really like the one on one feel like I was sitting there with you and we were just talking and having coffee. As always, it was Genuine, and the Mrs Did an amazing job with the camera work

[@TRUTRVLR]

Dude, so true. Many great points to consider ❤🎉

[@CharleyPangus]

Glad you think so!

[@pradamere732]

Love this video charlie I’ve been debating wether I want to go all in with graphic design for a couple months now but this video convinced me to just do it and see where life takes me thank you so much bro.

[@CharleyPangus]

Great to hear! You got this no matter what path you take. 🙏🏼

[@LittleFlame93]

I 100% relate. Having to spend hours on something I design for a client and they end up not liking it... I've bypass this issue by giving them options to see what the client is leaning towards.

[@unknowncurrently_]

Reallllly needed this video before I went to a private art college 😮‍💨 sick video Charles!

[@CharleyPangus]

I wish I made this video before you went lol. 😂

[@greccoox]

"I dont even have like a three classes completed..." haha, you are so real brother. And me, graduated 2008, the last months of that year, the teacher was sick, our group didn't finished the last presentation because the teacher was sick, years later when I wanted some papers from the university to prove that I finished, those classes, where the group never finished was counted as empty and the group never "finished 100%". 😅 sad life haha. Also super important is: since the beginning study and know contracts, cause is one part that you dont give a damm when start but is key!

[@CharleyPangus]

Thanks for watching! I agree with the contracts! That’s a great point I wish I would have added.

[@iamjohnath7490]

I've been waiting for a new video from you. I wanted to purchase the template a while back but I said to miself, if he did I can do it too so I did my own template. You are an inspiration! You and texture labs guy I learned alot from you guys. Goats in the industry in my book. ❤

[@CharleyPangus]

That’s awesome to hear! I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to watch and comment. Also, comparing me to texture labs made me smile because he’s the GOAT haha. 😀

[@IsmailBuS]

yes please make that video. I really love watching your videos

[@CharleyPangus]

Yay! Thank you!

[@decomicssehablaasi]

for a guy who didn't want to be a graphic designer at first, you're pretty damn good man, in my case, I've been pursuing a creative career all my life, in different areas, music, illustration, and design, I learned a few tricks here, so that's good. I'll add that everybody starts out copying (doing covers if you make music..for example) but once you start to figure out things and how they work is time to develop your own voice, that might take a lifetime tho, though that's why is better not knowing that when you start out hehe

[@angusmcdonaldboydetective]

The biggest and hardest lesson I have learned after after majoring in Graphic Design is that for 95% of people they way you actually end up supporting yourself and paying the bills is NOT by doing fun branding/identity projects, or merch designs, or packaging, or any of the things you really fall in love with in Design school. Most of the money made in the industry is boring, often prescriptive and not very creative, and definitely not sexy Instagram worthy work. You can 100% get to a place where you ARE doing that work the majority of the time, but that is not the case for many people, and often takes YEARS of grinding to get to that level of work. Don't base your perception of the industry from what you see on social media. Plot twist I ended up hopping over to UX Design after college and now I'm doing something that I didn't even really know existed when I was studying Graphic Design lol

[@Gemlin300]

Thank you for this. Would love to hear more about your working for Merch Connection. Unrelated, super cool that you're a twin. My wife and I have 4 month old twin girls. Ever since we're meeting/seeing twins everywhere, lol

[@YouTubeExpertZesan]

waiting for this video

[@swantonbomber20]

Love this video if i didnt know anything about design id be clueless on where to start.

[@CharleyPangus]

Thank you 🙏🏼 It’s definitely a difficult career to navigate at times.

[@franciscomedina8564]

Redlands,Ca! Wish I could have ran into you!😎

[@CharleyPangus]

Next time! 😀

[@Toxic.Design]

I love this video ❤

[@CharleyPangus]

So happy to hear that! 🥹

[@DatabassDesigns]

Bro I totally feel that I spend hours on something and it’s meh but the moment I flow something together in 10 minutes it sells out absolutely ridiculous but that does happen a lot.

[@amypangus9941]

W for camera woman 😜 awesome video thooo 🔥🔥🔥

[@CharleyPangus]

Amazing work lol

[@lailasiddiqua3572]

very much truth

[@todmirgraphics2353]

I love this 😭

[@CharleyPangus]

Yay! So happy you enjoyed this video. It was so much fun to make.

[@todmirgraphics2353]

@@CharleyPangus yea it was a instant click once I got the notification I relate to the video so much it’s crazy great vid 🤞🏾

[@HarshKumar-kp9zd]

Brace for impact 🙃🙌

[@CharleyPangus]

Design content is back!

[@dorisw2507]

I bought a laptop for $200 and photoshop works actually really great, I was surprised myself.

[@CharleyPangus]

That’s actually impressive

[@dorisw2507]

@@CharleyPangus Yes, I got the cheapest high quality laptop I could get. If I remember correctly as long as it has an Intel icore processor, you will be okay.

[@Shaheer7X]

I actually recently got accepted into a uni I applied for a graphic design bachelor's to. Would I be making a mistake by going into this field given the things going on with AI and the fact that there's high competition? I heard that's it not really in demand nowadays either. But, I would say I'm quite passionate about it!

[@AfternoonPlay]

Sure, AI can make anyone produce bumper stickers and the like, and yes, it’s going to shake up this and many other industries. But you should see AI as another tool in your arsenal. The world of design and art is vast. Follow your dreams, man. If you want to make it in this field, you have to live and breathe it every single day, and it helps if you are a bit crazy too. lol The pen tool in Illustrator is a very powerful tool; master it.

[@CharleyPangus]

I say do what you love! And don’t look back ❤️

[@gutsandgrittv5076]

Is it remote work? Can a graphic designer travel while working online?

[@CharleyPangus]

Most definitely

[@vincentbess6421]

Definitely remember you telling me not to be a template designer lol

[@CharleyPangus]

Haha I told you that? Well good! 😂

[@bakeraus]

Design is full of so much fluff and wank, avoid it. If you want to do a certain thing just focus on that and do it well, because the critics don't pay your bills. Remember there is so many ways to make a living out of Graphic Design, don't think you have to go down just one path.

[@tanvirahmedshojib]

i have all it takes to become a designer. but should i become a designer at this edge of AI?

[@CharleyPangus]

If you truly want to do something… do it. AI should never be the main reason you do or don’t. Hope that makes sense. For me I look at AI as just another tool, but it doesn’t replace my work.

[@CharleyPangus]

Great question btw

[@tanvirahmedshojib]

@@CharleyPangus Thank you brother. i was kinda loosing my hopes there. but you gave me hopes again. so thank you.