From Law to Design
In 2020, in the midst of the global pandemic, I graduated with a law degree. Until then, I had been interning in labor law, handling contracts, court cases, and structured legal work.
However, in April 2020, my internship contract ended, leaving me unemployed and uncertain about my next step. With limited job opportunities, I decided to explore something new—graphic design. What initially started as a simple side hustle creating logos gradually evolved into a full-time career as a freelance designer.
From Legal Documents to Creative Projects
Switching from law to design may seem like a drastic career change. Surprisingly, my legal background helped me develop skills that translated well into design, such as:
✔ Strategic Thinking – Problem-solving and structured decision-making.
✔ Attention to Detail – Essential for branding and UX/UI design.
✔ Communication Skills – Useful for client interactions and project management.
At first, I had to teach myself everything about design—from Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to Figma and UX/UI principles. To improve my skills, I spent hours watching tutorials, studying branding techniques, and practicing by creating logos for small businesses.
The Challenges of a Career Shift
Changing careers was far from easy. Some of the biggest challenges I faced included:
Learning from scratch – Mastering design software and principles.
Building a portfolio – Creating projects to showcase my skills.
Finding my first clients – Networking and positioning myself as a designer.
If you’re thinking about a career change to design, I highly recommend exploring free courses from platforms like Udemy and Domestika.
Lessons Learned & Advice
1️⃣ Your past career is not wasted.
My legal background gave me analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, which now help me create strategic design solutions for brands.
2️⃣ Self-learning is powerful.
The design industry evolves constantly, and staying updated with new trends and tools is crucial.
3️⃣ Passion fuels consistency.
The more I worked on real projects, the more confident I became. Passion keeps you motivated through challenges.
Final Thoughts: Take the Leap!
Losing my legal internship felt like a setback, but it turned out to be the push I needed to find my true passion. If you’re considering a career change, remember:
Your skills are transferable.
Self-learning is key.
The best way to start is simply by doing!