Hello Aspirant...

Here's my quick cheat sheet on setting yourself on the path to calling yourself a designer.

1. Understand the Designer Landscape.
2. Make, Make, Make: Practice Makes Perfect.
3. Think Like a Designer.
4. Talk to Other Designers.
5. Take a Class (in Person)
6. Get to Know People.
7. Run With a Project.
8. Show Your Work.

I hope this inforamtion helps.

Regards.