New panel webinar series provides emerging designers with real world advice

The RGD is excited the launch Real World Skills for Creatives, a four-part panel webinar series designed specifically for emerging designers navigating today’s evolving creative landscape.

Running through October and November 2025, this unique initiative features industry professionals participating in honest, practical conversations about building successful design careers.

Breaking Down Barriers to Career Success

The design industry can feel like an impenetrable maze for newcomers, with unwritten rules, unclear pathways and rapidly evolving expectations. This series addresses that challenge by providing access to experienced professionals across three distinct career paths:

• In-house design
• Solo practice
• Agency life

Each session will feature candid discussions where participants can ask questions and receive insights from professionals who’ve navigated similar challenges. Sessions are structured to maximize interaction and practical learning.

Four Sessions, Four Career Perspectives

Friday, October 17 – Going In-House

Explore the world of internal design. Panelists will demystify the hiring process, share strategies for standing out in competitive job markets and discuss the unique challenges and opportunities of working within a single organization. The session will also highlight how AI is reshaping in-house design workflows and how newcomers can leverage these tools effectively.

Friday, October 24 – Flying Solo

Shift focus to independent practice with Flying Solo. This session explores the realities of freelance design, from setting rates and building client pipelines to managing difficult feedback and scope creep. Solo designers will share hard-won wisdom on marketing themselves, maintaining work-life balance and building sustainable businesses while preserving creative integrity.

Friday, October 31 – Agency Life

Agency Life brings together Creative Directors and agency leaders to provide insider perspectives on agency culture, hiring practices and opportunities for advancement. Participants will learn what distinguishes strong candidates in agency environments, how to expand their value beyond design skills and whether specialization is essential for long-term growth.

Friday, November 7 – The Career Mixer

Conclude the series with a conversation bringing together professionals from in-house, freelance and agency backgrounds. This final session will tackle universal design career challenges, with a focus on personal branding, building authentic credibility and developing portfolios that truly showcase emerging designers’ potential.

These webinars will be moderated by Education Committee Member Mairin Deery RGD.

Why now?

The timing of this series reflects significant shifts in the design industry, particularly the integration of AI tools and evolving client expectations. Each session will address how these changes affect different career paths and provide actionable strategies for maintaining relevance in a competitive marketplace.

Format & Schedule

• When: Fridays at 9:00 p.m. PST / 12:00 p.m. EST
• Format: Panel series webinar with structured prompts and extensive Q&A
• Access: Designed for emerging designers across multiple time zones

This series represents RGD's continued commitment to supporting emerging design professionals through education, networking and mentorship opportunities. By creating direct access to industry veterans across multiple career paths, Real World Skills for Creatives fills a critical need in professional design education.