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From Illustrator to Font Designer: How I Transitioned to a New Creative Career
Creative Market
July 26, 2021 · 6 min read
- When it’s time for a change
- The resources for transitioning into type design
- How to transition seamlessly
- Ways to find work in your new field
Time for New Beginnings
For Paulo, his specialty change was forced when his old design studio offered up an ultimatum that didn’t suit him. Though, even before that happened, every now and then, he got a gut feeling that said, “things could be better trying something else.” He took that as a sign to move on. As is true while making any important life changes, there are many things to consider when determining if a career transition is the right move. When it comes to financial security, Paulo advises, “you would be wise to guarantee certain work before you embark on a self-employed journey.” He recommends having up to six months of savings in the bank as well. For those of you who may not feel like you have the right technical background or skills that would transfer to a new specialty area, Paulo encourages you not to give up. He emphasizes that skills are not the only important part of the equation, “it’s imperative that you have the skills, [but also an] interest, and passion, because talent appears only when you try something (and succeed!), while skills can be mastered over a period of time.” Being truly passionate and interested in the area you’re hoping to transition to will give you the patience you need to spend time mastering the required skills.
Resources Galore
Becoming a freelancer wasn’t a part of Paulo’s original plan, but it gave him the freedom to explore other fields. During this time, he came across a blog post by Tyler Finck that inspired him to start creating his own typefaces. However, since he spent most of his career as a technical illustrator, Paulo was new to the world of typeface design. With so much to learn and practice, he relied on design resources to catch up. For those who are considering a career in type design, Paulo strongly recommends these helpful books:- Lettering & Type: Creating Letters and Designing Typefaces – Bruce Willen and Nolen Strals
- Designing Type – Karen Cheng
- Shaping Text: Type, Typography and the Reader – Jan Middendorp
- Type Rules!: The Designer’s Guide to Professional Typograph – Ilene Strizver
- The Geometry of Type: The Anatomy of 100 Essential Typefaces – Stephen Coles
- Typology: Type Design from the Victorian Era to the Digital Age – Steven Heller and Louise Fili
- The Elements of Typographic Style – Robert Bringhurst
Smoothing Into the Transition
Depending on your prior work experience, the transition period can be rough. Here are a few ways Paulo made the process easier for himself:- Never stop learning
- Get feedback from the right people
- Make mistakes
Bring on The Clients
As he reflects back on the beginning of his transition into typeface design, Paulo believes the liaisons he had with a number design studios were what enabled him to find work as a newcomer in an unfamiliar field. Because of these old relationships, Paulo says, “I offered my services as a freelancer, taking any projects that were offered, as a way to better my craft in the beginning.” This goes to show how important it is to continuously grow your network and leave a good impression with everyone you meet. With a new specialty, you need to create new work to showcase your skills. Since you may not have much to show at the beginning, Paulo suggests, “build your own website and show off your personality with it.” Most new inquiries Paulo gets actually come through his site in this way. Not only will having a gorgeous website help boost your online presence, it’ll also bring clients straight to you!Keep the Conversation Going!
Are you currently thinking about transitioning into a new career and feeling anxious about the process? Do you have questions about changing careers that we didn’t cover? Leave a comment below, Paulo looks forward to talking with you! Products Seen in This Post:
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Creative Market
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