How to Land Your First Design Job?
By Ba Nam Nguyen, a designer with 10 years of experience in branding and packaging (and a cupboard full of coffee to survive those all-nighters)
Nguyen is the Founder of Mockup Asia and Creative Director / Head of Design at Manlab Design Studio, an independent branding studio based in Da Nang, Vietnam.
With over 10 years of experience in branding, packaging, and visual design, Nam is known for his distinctive, unconventional thinking rooted in functionality and real-world usability. His approach blends creativity with clarity, bringing together aesthetics, cultural context, and sustainable values.
I’m writing this with a bit of soul-searching but also hoping to sneak in a smile or two. Landing your first design job is like hunting for the perfect crush: thrilling, nerve-wracking, sometimes a bit awkward, but when you nail it, it feels like the top of the world! With 10 years of grinding in the industry, I want to share some honest, down-to-earth tips with a dash of humor to show you this journey isn’t as scary as it seems. So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s get started!
Finding Your Path in the Design World
Starting out in design, I found myself at a crossroads (or more like a five-way intersection) unsure of which path to take. Branding design? Crafting logos that make people go “wow” in 0.2 seconds? Or Packaging design, where your box could convince someone to buy a jar of cream just because it’s too pretty? Maybe UI design, making apps so smooth they glide like your crush swiping through your stories? And let’s not forget Motion graphic design, where you make everything dance like it’s straight out of a Hollywood flick! Each path has its own magic, but you’ve got to find the one that keeps you up at night—in a good way. Try everything, doodle like crazy, and listen to your heart. Once you find your “true love,” work won’t feel like work anymore—it’s an adventure!
Building a Portfolio to Tell Your Story
Your portfolio isn’t just a pile of pretty pictures—it’s your ticket to showing recruiters who you are, how you think, and how you tackle problems. I’ve seen too many young designers focus on flashy visuals but forget the story behind them. For Branding design, Packaging design, or UI design, a standout portfolio needs Realistic Mockup, Packaging Mockup, or Branding Mockup to make your hard work pop. Since Motion graphic design involves video and is a bit different, today we’ll focus on crafting a killer portfolio for the other fields, with a few cheeky tips to keep you from dozing off as you read on!
The Times I Slipped on Banana Peels (and You Should Avoid)
Back in the day, I thought cramming every project into my portfolio would scream “versatile genius.” Big mistake! Recruiters don’t need 20 mediocre projects—they want 3-5 stellar ones. Once, I sent a massive portfolio thinking it’d impress, but the recruiter skimmed it for five minutes and… yawned. Another blunder? Showing only the final design with zero explanation. Do you think recruiters have mind-reading powers to know how much you struggled? And the worst? Presenting designs on a flat white background, looking like a technical drawing. How’s anyone supposed to imagine your packaging on a store shelf or your logo living in the real world?
How to Make Your Portfolio Unforgettable
To make your portfolio scream “Hire this person!” here’s what I’ve learned after plenty of trial and error.
Pick Projects You’re Crazy About
First, pick 3-5 projects you love so much you’d frame them on your wall. They don’t need to be real client work—personal or school projects are fine, as long as you’ve poured your soul into making them perfect. Choose ones that flex your skills in Branding Mockup or Packaging Mockup, aligning with the field you’re chasing. Even if a client meddled and tweaked the final design (who hasn’t been there?), show your ultimate version, where you got to run wild with creativity.
Tell a Story That Hits the Feels
Each project in your portfolio should be a story that makes people nod in approval. Start by introducing it: what’s this project? A logo for a hipster coffee shop, packaging for a fancy skincare jar, or a super-smooth app interface? Then, set the scene: what problem were you solving? What was the goal? Guide them through your journey—from moodboard to set the vibe, messy sketches on napkins, to iterations and finally the polished Mockup Design. Don’t shy away from sharing struggles—like the time I stayed up until 3 a.m. because a font just wouldn’t cooperate—and how you overcame them. This shows you’re not just making pretty pictures; you’re thinking and problem-solving.
Present Your Designs Like a Rockstar
Arrange your project like a great movie: start with a moodboard to set the mood, then sketches to show your creative thinking, and finally the polished visuals, ideally in a Realistic Mockup or Packaging Mockup. Why are mockups a big deal? A flat design on a white background is like telling a joke no one laughs at—lifeless! A Mockup Template (like a PSD Mockup) brings your work to life, like a water bottle with your label, a business card in someone’s hand, or a phone screen flaunting your UI. It helps recruiters visualize the texture, scale, and real-world feel of your design.
Choose Mockups That Are Pure Gold
Not all mockups are created equal. Go for Realistic Mockup styles, like photo-based ones with human interaction—say, someone holding a bottle with your label. This shows scale and context. Steer clear of overly glossy 3D mockups that look like plastic toys. Each project should have 1-2 mockups with different angles for variety. And don’t sleep on lighting! A Branding Mockup or Packaging Mockup with natural lighting makes your design feel like it’s already out there, ready to hit the shelves.
Package Your Portfolio Like a Pro
Once you’ve got killer projects, make them easy to share. One option is a sleek PDF portfolio, clean and professional. But compress that file size—I once sent a 10MB monster and got the “oh, come on” look from a recruiter. A lightweight file makes you instantly more lovable. Another option? Upload to Behance. It’s not just a platform to show off—it’s easy to update later when you look back and think, “Yikes, why did I design it like that?” and want to fix it.
A Final Word with Some Heart
Building your first portfolio is like writing a love letter to recruiters. Pour your heart into it, show who you are, and let Mockup Design make your work sparkle. With a few carefully crafted Realistic Mockup or Packaging Mockup examples, you’ll have recruiters sitting up and thinking, “This one’s a keeper!” Do it with joy, stay authentic, and here’s to landing your dream design job!