This is an enriching path and the one I have chosen to gain my experience.

It allows me to: build my portfolio, gain real-world experience, and contribute to causes that matter.

I have always had a desire to contribute to the community I live in.  I still volunteer with the environmental group that operates at Taylor Range Group, where I used to work as I know without volunteers many programs could not operate.

 

Tips to guide you through this process:

Assess Your Skills and Interests. 

Identify your graphic design strengths and areas you are passionate about. Knowing what you excel at and what you enjoy will help you find the right opportunities.

I just love taking my photography into Photoshop and producing original, striking, eye catching images that promote a cause.  One of my current projects is with Devoted 2 Dachshunds Rescue (non-profit organization) where I am taking images of some of the dachshunds rescued and creating some POP ART for t-shirts.  POP ART is still trending and manages to turn heads even today, thanks to the works of Andy Warhol an American visual artist, film director, producer, and leading figure in the pop art movement.  He was best known in the 60’s for his bright, colourful paintings and prints of subjects ranging from celebrities including Marilyn Monroe and Mohammed Ali, even to everyday products such as cans of Campbell soup.

With this inspiration the shirts produced will be sold to raise money to cover some of the expenses incurred by D2DR when rescuing & fostering dogs.  Some of the success stories so far show just how important it is for our mental health to have a best friend who gives unconditional love.

Learn and Upgrade Your Skills

Ensure your design skills are up to date. Familiarize yourself with the latest software and tools used in the industry, such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), Sketch, and WordPress.

Consider taking online courses or tutorials to improve your skills and stay current with design trends.

I remember learning how to use Actions during my Diploma studies but it’s not a skill I use often.  To produce the POP ART required for my shirts I had to brush up on these skills by watching some online tutorials so that I could teach myself how to load Actions into Photoshop and then prepare the image in the correct way so that the final outcome would transform my images.  This took a lot of experimentation until I found the colours and patterns that suited the image.

 

Research Not-for-Profit Organizations

Look for organizations whose missions align with your values and interests. Working for causes you care about can be more rewarding and motivating.

When you know you are making a much needed contribution towards a good cause, it gives you great satisfaction.  My motivation was seeing some of the dogs who required expensive medical treatment for life threatening illnesses.  Producing some promotional items like shirts is a great way to get the message out there.  Especially adding some captions designed to pull at the heart strings.

Research the organization’s branding and previous design work to understand their style and needs.

Being a non-profit organization, resources are scarce.  All the funds raised go into saving dogs, finding homes, vet bills and feeding them.  Looking at D2DR website reflected these priorities.  I knew I could help.

 

Build a Basic Portfolio

Create a portfolio showcasing your best work, even if it’s personal projects or assignments from courses. Your portfolio should demonstrate your design skills and range.

Use platforms like Behance, Dribbble, or your own website to present your portfolio professionally online.

The work I have produced comes mostly from my Graphic Design Diploma studies but as time goes by I am expanding these to include posters produced for clients, labels for products and shirts for a good cause. I have posted my portfolio of works on both Behance and on my website.  My website gives me a great outlet to document my design journey.  I’m sure one day I will look back and be able to state with confidence and accuracy: “This is how I got where I am today”.

 

Reach Out to Organizations

Contact organizations directly via email or through their websites. Offer your graphic design services and explain why you’re interested in volunteering with them.

Be clear about what you can offer, your availability, and any specific areas you’d like to work in (e.g., social media graphics, brochures, event posters).

This part was easy for me as I have been a Foster carer for D2DR since May last year.  Over the last 10 months have been a part of a community which is driven, dedicated and generous towards each other and the dogs.  It was a natural progression to want to help and serve where I could.

 

Be Professional and Communicative

Treat your volunteer work as you would a paid job. Maintain professionalism, meet deadlines, and communicate effectively with your contacts in the organization.

Request feedback on your work to learn and improve.

I provided mock-ups of the shirts which was a good way to tick this box.  After all both my and D2DR’s logo will go on the back of the shirts so they had to be good.

 

Document Your Work and Experience

Keep records of the projects you work on, including before-and-after examples if you’re redesigning something.

Ask for testimonials or recommendations from the organizations you volunteer for. This will be valuable for your portfolio and future job applications.

 

Network

Attend industry events, workshops, and seminars to meet other graphic designers and professionals from the not-for-profit sector. Networking can lead to more volunteer opportunities and even job offers.

 

Reflect and Iterate

Periodically review your experiences and the work you’ve done. Consider what you’ve learned, what you enjoyed, and what you want to do next.

Adjust your approach as needed to continue growing and moving towards your career goals.

 

Transition to Paid Opportunities

As you build your portfolio and gain experience, start looking for freelance opportunities or part-time jobs in graphic design. Use the network you’ve built and the experience you’ve gained through volunteering to find paid roles.

Volunteering your graphic design skills for not-for-profit organizations is a powerful way to make a difference while developing your career. It provides a platform for learning, networking, and portfolio building, which are crucial steps toward becoming a successful graphic designer.

Get out there and lend a helping hand and at the same time show the world what you can do.