As it isn't an exact science, companies looking to hire a designer will primarily judge your design skills by looking at your previous works. Starting as a graphic designer, for example, can be very tough. Not only is this method a great way of keeping yourself engaged, as it can otherwise get boring quite quickly, it also has several benefits that are especially useful to aspiring designers and artists.
Ultimately, one of the best ways to get better at your craft, whether you are an illustrator, a designer, or a writer, is to use a method of learning called learning-by-doing.
Most experienced designers, illustrators, and artists will tell you that learning more about specific topics in your field is also very important, but only to a certain extent. If you work in any creative field, you've likely already realized the importance of practice.