Many young designers complain that they’d be much better and feel more prepared if they had some experience, but have trouble getting any work or an internship to help build their portfolio and resume. I know from my own experience that an internship or agency experience isn’t necessary. With enough self-motivation anyone can build a high quality, professional portfolio and at the very least add freelance for some job experience to their resume. Below are a few tips to make this happen, all of which I’ve personally used.

1. Start

It’s a simple tip, but it’s the most essential and difficult step to take. Becoming better begins at just getting off your ass. Stop waiting for something to fall into your lap, stop waiting for a school to teach you something, stop waiting to magically become a good designer and just start.

2. Continually improve your skill with practice

The key to building a great portfolio begins at having the skill to design great pieces. Just like a sport, practice makes you better. The next few steps will outline what to practice, but it’s important to remember that it’s an ongoing process. There’s no reason a designer should sit around waiting for client work to come in, always practice your skill.

3. Read up on the fundamentals

Understanding simple concepts like the rule of thirds, repetition, and utilization of negative space within design are the building blocks of all great work. Google is an invaluable resource in finding quick, free information. Visiting your local library never hurt, either.

4. Read tutorials

There are tutorials online for just about everything you want to learn. Web sites like psdtuts.com offer articles from great designers in several areas. Understanding how to better use your tools and learning new tricks will greatly improve your ability.

5. Follow and interact with great designers

Find a few designers whose work you love and try to imitate their style to improve upon your own. This isn’t to say you should directly copy anyone’s work, but taking influence is an important step in getting better. Analyze their work and attempt to figure out why they’re successful, what elements make them stand out; and then how you can reach that point. Simply contact professionals and ask for tips, the community is generally friendly and willing to help.

6. Receive critiques

Ask for feedback from designers and non-designers alike. It’s important to have an idea what people outside the community think about your work, considering these are the people you primarily design for. Asking for feedback from other designers is an invaluable resource in improving your work, too. A good way to get an honest critique from a non-designer is to ask a person what they think of a design rather than directly ask for a critique. To ask for a critique often triggers a person to give negative feedback even if there’s nothing negative to say.

7. Visit design blogs and Web sites

Web sites like sixrevisions.com, smashingmagazine.com, and ilovetypography.com have great articles, tutorials, and resources for designers. This not only helps your skill, but keeps you up-to-date on trends within the industry.

8. Design for imaginary clients

If your portfolio is lacking in a certain area or you simply can’t find a client to design for, just make one up. It’s better to have a real client, conceptual work is better than nothing. Rather than filling your portfolio with pretty designs you put together, formulate a company name and give yourself a brief. Make sure the client you make up compliments your portfolio. If all of your current work is primarily clean and simple, design something for a fictional children’s store or record label.

9. Do pro-bono work for local businesses

Your portfolio may not be built up enough to get paid work initially, so offer your services for free to a local store or non-profit organization. Act as though you’re being paid and be as professional as possible; if they’re happy with your services they may tell others about you or come to you for future work.

10. Design for yourself

Sometimes a break from designing for others is refreshing and necessary for improvement. Make art, have fun, design as though there are no limits. Potential employers like to see your personality in your portfolio, it’s the icing on top.

Above all else, like anything in life, you need enough self-motivation to do it. If you want it enough and truly care, then you can without ever having to leave your house.