Would you be disappointed if I ended my blog?
I have pangs every now and then that it’s almost the end of the road with it
Anon asked: I was warned after graduating that I would hate my first job entering the design industry. I was hoping it wouldn’t be true! but alas, it is. I don’t have the opportunity to design anything and even if I did we design strictly sportswear which isn’t my niche. Now, I realize I should obviously quit my job and find a new one but I am constantly applying for new jobs and getting nothing back. I know I’m not a shit designer. Any suggestions on applying for jobs?
This is unfortunately an all too common statement that lots of people undertaking their first design job end up making. You are already at the bottom of the ladder, and you don’t want to be looking up at the bottom rung!
Your first design job is primarily there for you to make mistakes and learn. Even though the original poster states that they aren’t designing anything, there could be other opportunities within the same firm that perhaps you aren’t noticing. For everytime you see design going on around you learn from it, ask questions, make other people aware and remind them that you too are a creative person with lots of ideas. Also, don’t ever look at a subject that you’re designing for as ‘not your niche’ - use it as a way of learning to add that to your repatoire! In my first design position I was going from designing something for a television company, to an information sheet for a sewage cleaning company, to a newsletter for a solicitors - guess which one I wish I solely worked on?
Starting work in the design industry is all about paying your dues unfortunately, and you generally have to wade through the crap to get to the pot of gold!
With regards to looking for a new job, put it on hold for a little while - use the opprtunities where you are (no matter how small) to help you get some enthusiasm back, also try to do some little ‘just-for-you’ projects that help you drive your creativity. Don’t ever quit your job without another waiting - it is much easier to find work, when you are in work!
Take stock of what you are sending to other companies. Is it a CV? Is it a portfolio? Is it just an ‘I want to work with you guys because I hate my current job’? (I have done that and it is surprising how easily you can communicate that in applications without realising!)
You have to give companies a really good reason as to why they should hire you - what do you bring to the table and how can you improve their company?
When you are applying to other creative agencies send them something to get excited about!
Things to be excited by:
Things that don’t get people excited:
(ok i’m just playing devil’s advocate here, but if you really want to grab the companies attention you may need to put a lot of work into what you are sending them, and speculate to accumulate! If you need to spend a bit of money on printing to make it look good - well do it! You are doing it for your future!)
Another thing is ascertain is whether you actually have the skills and experience they want or require. I have seen fresh graduates apply for senior designer posts, which inevitably (unless you have Ferris Bueller style charm) they get no response, or turned down from and then they get sulky because no one is giving them a job. Do your research about a firm, reference their work, and say what you are going to bring to their company! Also, get someone you know in the industry to look over your applications and portfolio - ask them for constructive criticism, this could be a friend, a colleague your mum - whoever! Sometimes you just don’t notice something glaringly obvious that perhaps isn’t the best idea to be in your portfolio (mine was the abundance of design relating to a sex shop rebrand……)
Unfortunately there are many more unemployed designers than design jobs out there at the moment, but there is hope - just keep plugging away and sooner rather than later you will get a break somewhere down the line.
Hope this was all of some help for everyone in this situation - it happens to us all so good luck in all your future endeavors!
at Ampersand we want to celebrate his life, he made such an impact on the creative community, and a lot of his decisions have shaped the way we carry out many of our creative pursuits day to day.
we have one question alone that we will feature in our tribute;
What did Steve Jobs mean to you?
Drop your answer here in my ask box,
or here via email, which will allow you a bit more space to write
just add your name & website/twitter if you so wish.
Please get involved, and we are also working out a way to perhaps be able to support cancer research in tribute.
‘What does creativity mean to you?’
Same as before:
REMEMBER TO INCLUDE…..
Your website/blog/portfolio address
Your Twitter
Your Name
A photo of yourself!
Please get involved - to see the answers to last months question, ‘what is the best thing about print?’ just click!
A bit like the print feature in issue 2 we are going to have a feature which answers YOUR design/creative questions by a professional!
So if there is something you have always wanted to ask about anything creative, drop it in the submission section at the website www.ampersand-magazine.com along with a photo (optional) and your website/twitter so you can get yourself out there!
so don’t be shy, get involved!!
Anonymous asked: how can i stop gay harrasment?
Take no notice of it.
If people want to harass you for being gay it shows that they have the issue and prey on the fact that it bothers you. If you are in fact gay, stand up to them and be proud of who you are, once you show it doesn’t bother you and they can’t get to you with it, they’ll soon get tired.
I’m not gay myself, but I do have a fair few gay friends and the they are so comfortable with being gay, the people (of usual low intelligence) who used to harass them, and tease them and make their lives awful just lose interest and move on - don’t ever let someone make you feel bad for being yourself.
As daft as it sounds, I think the way Glee is showing gay relationships and the issues around them is really making more gay guys and girls a hell of a lot more confident in their sexual orientation.
Unfortunately, there will always be ignorant people in the world, and we just have to do the best to get on with it and educate their tiny little minds.
My favourite logo ideas that i have created as part of the redesign of West Midlands Safari Park for my final major project at college.
I AM TORN BETWEEN THEM ARGGGGH!!!
What are everyone elses opinions?
I really like the one on the left because it’s like a rising sun you’d see in films set in Africa etc, but the one on the right is really fun and reflects the fun nature of going to the safari park….
and if you were wondering what the existing logo is here you go
Anonymous asked: What would you say a 'beautiful' person is? x
A beautiful person is one that has both inner and out beauty. Someone who cares and will strive to help others and be there for those who need it most. The type of person that picks you up when you’re down, who convinces you to be happy when its the last thing you feel, who makes you realise that life is worth living.
A beautiful person will never agree they are, its part of their beauty, as is the fact you can tell them everyday, that they are beautiful, and they will always be embarrassed to the fact. They are warm and funny and when you look into their eyes you can see the amazing, fulfillment they bring to others, how they put others first and how they disregard their feelings to make someone else happy.
A beautiful persons eyes sparkle. Sparkle with wonderment at the things that they have seen, and the desire to see more. Their smile, is both with their mouth and their eyes, interlinked to show that each is genuine.
A beautiful person will look after themselves, and present themselves in a way they are happy and confident with, never changing for someone else, being who they are.
A beautiful person has a hunger for passion and love, to feel these emotions with another, but not afraid to allow themselves to appear vulnerable. To take each one of these things and put them together, I think you have found what I would say a ‘beautiful’ person is.
Right, I need glasses, I have been told I have weirdly functioning eyes (not just weird eyes lol) before I go get my ray-bans I need a pair that I can get whilst I save up a bit, its down to this style but now i’m like eek which colour?
inspirationmoodboard asked: would you rather love and not be loved back, or be loved but never love?
Love and not be loved back, I couldn’t bear never feeling in love
sansele-deactivated20111126-dea asked: would you rather have love as well as hurt or no pain and hurting and no love?
Definitely love and hurt, without the hurt you don’t wouldn’t know what love was.
sansele-deactivated20111126-dea asked: would you rather be blind or deaf?
hmmm, deaf I think - It would devastate me to be blind, there is so much beauty in the world i’m still yet to see
