summary This course offers the structure and means to develop and create a comprehensive and dynamic portfolio preparing you to enter the professional field of design. Materials to be designed include a resume, cover letter and business card; print, web and pdf based portfolios; etc. Additionally, you will learn how to select, photograph, and write about projects within the context of a portfolio presentation. Topics relating to the current job field, interviewing etiquette, and what to expect at the job will be discussed throughout the course.
Studio Blue, design intern, then full time, boutique design firm Tyson Foods, in house designer for corporate communications Speculate and Make, owner of freelance business NC State University, graduate student and teaching assistant Kent State University, Assistant Professor Kansas City Art Institute, Assistant Professor University of Arkansas, Assistant Professor Ongoing: Freelance jobs, writing about design, researching, speaking at conferences, etc.
12 years professional experience 7 years as a student 6 years as a design educator at 3 different schools job hunter in Chicago, Fayetteville, Kansas City, Raleigh & Cleveland portfolio reviewer as an educator, an AIGA board member, and at Studio Blue. 3 portfolios (online + 2 pdf versions)
Before you can begin your job search, you need to understand 1. yourself: your motivations, strengths, and weaknesses 2. your work: its nature, style, and variety 3. the job market: corporations, design offices, and the wide variety of other businesses that employ graphic designers
step 1: do your research and make a list what you need: studio lists, goals step 2: apply for a job OR contact a studio for an interview, not a job what you need: letter, resume, work samples/pdf Portfolio, PDF Packet step 3: interview (in person or by phone or by video chat) what you need: physical or online portfolio, or both, leave behind, business card step 4: follow-up what you need: thank you card/postcard/email
browse the internet meet people, talk to people request portfolio reviews even if there is not a position stay connected to peers and professors join AIGA and other professional organizations attend local events recruitment agency
Boutique Design Studio / Independent Studio (ex: DOXA) Marketing / Advertising Agency (ex: MARS) In-House Studio -Package Design (ex: Procter & Gamble) -Museums/galleries (ex: Crystal Bridges) -Retail Corporations (ex: Walmart) -Architecture Firms (ex: Marlon Blackwell) -Publishing House (ex: University Press)
Digital Design Multimedia Design Type Design Film Title Design Television Graphics Exhibit Design Signage Design Package Design Environmental Design Design Planning Publication Systems Educational Design Magazine Design Illustration Identity Design Systems Design Corporate Communication Nonprofit Design Information Design Design Entrepreneur Corporate Executive Professor of Design
Job titles and descriptions vary in our field based on the type of agency it might be. Read about the various descriptions to get a general idea of what you might be interested in at this point in your career and what you might like to work towards. Before an interview, review a specific job description so that you can understand exactly how that organization defines the role.
entry level designer An entry-level designer is one-to-two years out of school and requires mentoring in all aspects of design conception and implementation.
junior designer Usually employed straight from college and will generally be considered junior for up to two years. Junior Designers will lay out pages, draw logos, redraw logos, do text corrections.
designer / junior art director Usually already has a professional portfolio, probably has mainly worked on parts of larger campaigns and a few smaller projects of their own, able to take design briefs and implement them, but will still be overseen by a Senior Designer or Art Director.
senior designer Generally 3 5 years experience, ideally be adept at taking briefs and may have more client liaison experience. Each project is not seen in isolation, but part of a campaign.
art director An Art Director in a graphic design agency fulfills a very different role to that of one in an advertising agency, which can deals predominantly with advising photographers, graphic designers, programmers, writers, rather than making things.
creative director Often come from a marketing background, involved in meetings, more concerned with higher level issues of branding and marketing and would have a lot more direct contact with the client.
print production artist A print production artist has a working understanding of layout, type and color and is able to take instructions from a designer and create a complete layout, working proficiently in InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. Responsibilities also include producing final files that image properly to film.
print production manager The print production manager is responsible for managing the process (bids, scheduling, production and delivery) of producing publications, from concept through production, including photography, separations, 4-color press work and digital production. Print production managers are strong project managers, managing multiple jobs simultaneously. In some cases, proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop is desirable in this role.
copywriter A copywriter is able to write, edit and proof promotional or publicity copy for print or electronic publications. At higher levels, copywriters are often responsible for strategic and conceptual development of messages and stories.
web designer A web designer determines and develops the look and feel for sites and is responsible for site navigation design and visual execution.
web developer (front end/interface systems) A front-end developer uses HTML/JavaScript/ASP/ ColdFusion and other tools to develop static and dynamic web pages.
web programmer/developer (back end systems) A back end programmer works with web server systems and web databases, develops web queries to databases and programs web applications.
web producer, senior producer, executive producer A web producer organizes web development teams and ensures adherence to budget, schedule and design of website development.
content developer A content developer is also known as a web writer or editor. He or she is responsible for the production and repurposing of text/graphic/audio content on sites.
other search terms graphic artist, pre-press specialist, information architect, digital artist, desktop publishing, visual communications, multimedia specialist
what are the essential qualities needed to be a graphic designer? cultural awareness communication skills integrity
cultural awareness...they have to have general knowledge. I hate people who don t read. I hate people who don t cook, or don t know anything about music. I couldn t work with anyone who only goes to McDonalds. I want people who know movies, who know music, who read books. As you know, not all graphic designers are multi-dimensional. They don t read, they don t do anything else, and I couldn t work with those people. I need team people who have general knowledge because that s what we do... Erik Spiekermann s response to what he looked for in a designer
cultural awareness be interesting be interested in the world absorb everything
communication skills You have to listen very carefully to what the client wants and be careful not to approach the project with a preconceived idea of what the client wants and be careful not to approach the project with a preconceived idea of what it should look like. In my own experience, too often I approached a design job wanting to use a certain font or a particular typographic mannerism, simply because it s what I felt comfortable with at the time. But that wasn t always what the client wanted. Rudy VanderLans
communication skills listen have a point of view talk about your work...without showing it
integrity...when I started out, I was so keen to please my clients and employers that I avoided having any opinions and told they only what I thought they wanted to hear. In other words, I demonstrated the morals of the marketplace and consequently was treated like a commodity: my services were bought at a bargain-basement prices and my opinions rarely valued. Adrian Shaughnessy
integrity your work has to display integrity you must also have integrity in the way you handle the creative work of others show that you have a love for design aside from wanting to make $$
goals and lists
goals Goals are broad, generalized statements about what is to be achieved. Think of them as a target to be reached or hit. They set a vision or a priority. Objectives are statements about how the goal will be achieved. You have objectives for the course. Now you need some goals! What is your goal for the course? What is your goal for your first design job? (short term) What is your goal for yourself as a designer? (long term)
lists find 5 studios with jobs posted find 5 studios with no jobs currently posted, this will be your studio wish list (these should be both wish and real lists) include type of studio and links to their website and job description, include mailing address and name/email of a contact person or dept.
let s begin!