How to become a Graphic Designer?

Question

I am in school right now (senior) to get a BA in graphic design. I have started on my portfolio, currently I only have my class work and a few freelance designs. Should I focus on one particular thing (i.e. logo design, or magazine spreads) that I'm good at, or many different things to show my versatility? Also what else should I do to build my portfolio, should I redo class assignments with different subjects/fake companies or look for poorly designed things in the media and create solutions to these?

Answer 1

Your portfolio should reflect the area of Graphic Design you wish to work, or specialize in, with a smaller emphasis on versatility.

Doing work on your own has the pitfall of you being the designer and the client. You need an outside party to challenge our work, and push your talents. Design things for real people, if possible. Friends, local small businesses, for free, in exchange for goods, whatever. Then when you sit down for that interview, you can have a case study of what the client wanted, how you initially approached it, and then where it actually ended up.