Follow http://lauren-harpum.tumblr.com her work is crazy cool!
(And I barely do shout outs ever so it must be decent)
As a graphic designer, I feel I’ve missed the boat.
No matter where I go from here I know that I will never work for a major (or even minor) graphic design agency ever.
It annoys me that to be a success you have to know the right people and be in the right place, and i know no matter what hard work I put in is ever going to change that.
Show us you have worked with big clients.
Well, unfortunately ‘big clients’ don’t want to use a freelancer. They want to use agencies. And to get into a decent agency at my stage of life you have to show you have done work for ‘big clients’.
Well unfortunately I don’t do work for ‘big clients’, I do work for companies that need design, don’t know about design, and can’t afford to be looked upon as ‘small clients’ by ‘big’ agencies.
It makes me feel like I’m not good enough as a designer, and I’m probably not anymore, but it hurts to feel like I’m washed up in an industry I love so much.
Want my advice budding graphic designers?
Those in uni or just leaving?
Move to London, smarm up as many London agency people as you can and get a foothold. You will earn a pittance, and be treated like crap on some occasions, you will be expected to work all hours god sends for little praise or reward, but maybe, just maybe you will be a success in the industry.
I may have missed the boat, but if you want to be a success, please please please take heed of this advice as cynical as it sounds it might just kick start your career.
Sorry dudes, I’ve bottled this up for a while, and just word vomit pursued
(And for those who think I’ve been harsh, this is something kinda close to me and I tell you it makes you reevaluate a lot)
An idea for the HND exhibition - the concept being that it is the invite, poster and booklet for the evening
Example Identities for exhibition
Don’t worry, be happy!
Made and gave these out today to strangers. Was actually a really good feeling.
I could do with one of these
Pacifico is the new Comic Sans.
If I see another ‘Apparel Company’ using it I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.
It’s lazy and not creative.
I promised you a good post! We’ve got an interview with an amazing individual, and an even more amazing illustrator Jordan Debney!
We hope you are going to be just as excited as we were when New Zealander Jordan Debney and his amazingly crazy illustrations crossed our paths! Join us as we discover more about this fantastic illustrator and just actually what a ‘Quadricorn’ actually is…
DL: Tell us about who you are Jordan and what you do?
JD: Well I am a male human being, (self proclaimed) artist from New Zealand (it’s that tiny speck in the lower right hand of a generic map of the world). I have a great love for monsters and all things repulsive, horror movies and ice cream. I attempt to fuse all of those things into visually pleasing pieces of artwork.
DL: Do you remember the first time you felt that design was the career path you wanted to take?
JD: I have always enjoyed drawing as a child. I used to imitate drawings from comics and the collectable ‘Dragon Ball Z’ cards all through primary school and never actually knew I could make a career out of it. Although I always knew I wanted to work with art, I just never knew how. Enough drawing kind of made a career of itself. The more I drew, the better I got, the better I got, the more people started approaching me for artwork for their clothing line and album covers. Consider it a growing entity that can’t stop feeding.A: How would you describe your design style to our readers - and how would you describe your creative process?
JD: I often find myself playing with mixtures of cornflour and water for hours, (you know, how it goes really fluid-like as well as a solid). I observe and concentrate on various parts the mixture as it flows down different shaped objects I find lying around. I do this for visual pleasure, as well as a creative study. I find it fascinating, as I try to share that fascination into my art work. It’s just a matter of making it flow and work well. I like to focus on folds of the flesh and disfigurements of the visual appearance while incorporating things that are usually considered ‘positive’ and bright colors. I usually get mixed reactions from people when they see my art, they don’t know whether to recoil in fright or give it a hug. Probably the only time a vomiting horned monster could ever be considered ‘beautiful’. A screaming monster riding the back of an ice cream is so ironic that it’s comical.DL: Has there been one person who has had a real influence on you, and your art work?
JD: There have been many people that have influenced my artwork, as well have experiences. I didn’t want to be one of those alcohol driven people that don’t end up doing anything with their life. I want to succeed and be able to say I haven’t wasted my limited time on this earth. So I went with the one thing I knew I could do, and that was drawing. I look up to and admire the people I consider most creative. Trent Reznor for his music, Zack Snyder for his movies, James Jean and Alex Pardee for their art. I can always know that whatever happens, I will always have the things that these people do most creatively to keep me going. Seeing creativity fuels my creativity, and I have an unlimited source of it.
DL: What has been your favourite piece of art you have worked on so far, what makes it your favorite?
JD: That would have to be my ‘Quadricorn’ piece. (Shown at the top) What could be more awesome than a four horned horse with pincer hooves engulfed in gravity defying fluid?!
DL: If there was one person from the creative world you could sit down with and have a chat with who would it be?
JD: Firstly it would have to be Alex Pardee. Secondly, it would be more of a food fight, dressed as original gangsters, with marshmallow shoes and Chewbacca masks. During the violent toss of the pizza we would be telling a horror story that would make Rob Zombie’s head explode.
DL: Have you ever been asked to do a piece of work that you turned down? If you did - how did you approach this to the prospective client?
JD: A few weeks ago I got asked to commission a shirt design that infuriated me. They asked for me to design them a shirt with a specific character from a specific artist. I responded suggesting that they ask the ACTUAL artist to design the shirt instead. Artists should be approached because they like their style and their art, not to imitate another artists style or characters.
DL: With the current climate in the world, how has this affected the art and illustration industry in New Zealand?
JD: The art industry in New Zealand is very small in comparison to other art industries, everyone seems to ‘know of’ everyone. Using the internet as a tool to get your art seen is very achievable, but that can only go so far when you live in such an isolated country as New Zealand. The ‘word of mouth’ usually doesn’t even leave the shores of New Zealand, so being spotted for exhibitions in other countries best contemporary galleries and magazines is limited to ‘accidentally’ being stumbled across over the internet or books, and not to mention even more pressure to make a decent impression. Haha, I hope this answer is relative to what you were asking. (It was aha! .DL)
DL: What advice would you give to other art and design students about how to develop their own creative style?
JD: I’d suggest you first find your artistic medium and start from there. Each day just draw and draw and draw, you don’t even have to show anybody. Surround yourself with your favorite inspirations and artists you admire most. A style will eventually develop and your instinct will take it from there.
DL: Finally, do you think that creative talent is being lost due to the lack of ‘obvious’ opportunities on offer to designers?
JD: Yes indeed, and have discovered that it is very difficult to get your name into the art world, it will often require you to do work for free. You have to physically shove it into people’s faces and to do so making an impression that will be remembered. I’ve known of people with a huge amount of talent to just give up and do something that’s “easier”. So yes I do believe that talent is being lost and unseen. It’s just a matter of not giving up before the opportunities are available for you.
I hope this was a great insight into the mind of a brilliant up and coming illustrator - and as an owner of a couple of fantastic pieces of work by Jordan I can honestly say that until you see his painted work or illustrations in the flesh you cannot honestly believe how fantastically detailed they are! (as i’m writing this i’m drawn to the huge Mars Attacks print framed and adorning my wall right now!)Hopefully we will have lots more up and coming designers being interviewed here to give you all a bit of a break from just my voice!!
…and i’m still banging through the questions so if I haven’t answered yet I will!!Hope you enjoyed the show!
J.Find more out about Jordan at www.eyerupture.com
Perhaps the best label/bottle design combination ever
So, how do you design a decent logo?
Here are a few tips that will hopefully give you a heads up on some good (and maybe obvious) points to consider when starting out designing a logo.
- I’ve seen this before… You should design a logo to suit the needs of the project or client. Don’t fall back onto a logo you’ve designed before - the logo and branding of a company go hand in hand, your responsibility as a designer is to create something memorable and unique for your client!
- What is it…? Every logo should convey a message to the viewer. If potential consumers know or understand nothing about your client after looking at the logo, you have failed as a good designer (sorry).
- WHY IS MY LOGO ALL PIXELLATED?! Your logo needs to be scalable so put down Photoshop, use the right tools for the job - Illustrator is pretty much the program you need to be using - never use Flash to design a logo (or Microsoft Word….)
- I have a gold membership on Stockphoto… Steer clear from anything expected. Remember, your logo should be memorable for the customer. By adding cliché, clip-art images, your logo will look unprofessional and be quickly thrown on the rubbish tip.
- What is it? Some designers complicate their logos by adding lots of detail, too many words, taglines, colours etc. Keep it simple. You’ll be more memorable - think Nike.
- I found the filters on Photoshop - I couldn’t decide which to use…so I used all of them! For the most part, you should avoid excessive bevels, shadows, textures, filters. This will allow your logo to be used across many mediums - not to mention won’t be rubbish.
- Typography Issues. There are a number of common mistakes that are frequently made when designing a logo. Consider some below:
- The Spacing. Fonts are built a certain way for a reason. Excessive spacing between letters or very narrow spacing can really affect the readers interpretation of words (or cause confusion)
- Predictable Fonts. Helvetica is a brilliant font - but don’t use it for everything. Research new fonts, design your own! Just try to use something that isn’t predictable or the default.
- Crazy Fonts. Don’t use fonts like Party Let or Papyrus or Jokerman to create your logo. Try using simple, professional, legible fonts.
- Don’t use Comic Sans. Period.
- Ultra-thin fonts. Many extremely lightweight fonts may look nice on the computer screen but they may be difficult to use when trying to print on paper, screen on fabric, or embroider. Lightwieght fonts are also hard to read from far distances.
- Too many fonts. Try to stick to one font-style (maximum of two) in your logo design. This rule is especially true when you are doing JUST the logo design and not any of the other design work.
- What do you think? Excessive input from your client, his Mom, the secretary, your dad, your postman, the guy who sweeps the road outside your house and anyone else who will give you the time of day is well, excessive. Keep the design pure and clean by only involving those who absolutely need to be involved in the design process.
- Unable to be used in grayscale. One important thing to remember about logos is that they frequently will be used in strictly grayscale circumstances. (Faxes, copies, one-color prints) Make your logo as powerful in both color and black & white.
- Non-scalable. This is one of the most common tips around for creating logos. Make sure your client can scale their logo. Most logos should be usable in anything from a giant billboard to a tiny web icon.
- Not made for all mediums. People often design logos without taking into consideration their future use. Be sure to deign your logos with the intent that they can be used on the internet, in print, on a street sign, embroidered on a backpack, and screen printed on a t-shirt.
- Look at MY design. Don’t design a logo with the goal in mind that it will make your portfolio look great. The first, and most important, goal of any logo design should be to help your client reach their target audience more effectively.
- Too abstract. While an abstract logo can be very professional-looking for a company, what does it really say to the customer? “We weren’t really sure how to visually represent what we do or how you will benefit from our services, so here’s a square with a swoosh”.
- Copy Cat Logo. BE ORIGINAL.
- Bad combination of colors. Try to match the colors to your target audience, think about using complementary colours - neon green and red is never going to be a good look - be sensitive to the clients wishes, but design with consideration.
- Sketch it out first. Don’t just jump on a Mac - research and sketch out some ideas first - not many good logos are born out of an instant jump on the Mac session!!
I hope this helps you all out a little bit! And remember if you need any other advice please just drop me a message here at DesignLecturer!
I’m a lazy bugger – what can I do to be a grade A designer?
Do your homework.
There is no question that when studying any design related course, what you put in is what you get out. It’s not rocket science, but it really does turn out that the students who work the hardest and commit themselves the most end up with the best stuff!
Uni is expensive.
Arrive on time. Stay late.
Universities now are really expensive, so make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Arrive on time and prepared. Stay after class and ask questions; find out about more than just what the class covered. WORK A LOT.
As lecturers, we work for you.
Teachers have an annoying habit of setting up to make you feel like they’re in charge. The reality is that lecturers, administrators, librarians etc are all there in the first place because you decided to attend. And they really do work for you. So be clear about what you want and need, and team up with other students to make sure that those desires are communicated to the people in power. Use the library; ask for help. Make us work for you.
Develop your presentation skills.
Talking a good game will only get you so far – you need to ensure you have the substance behind you to back up your mouth! No matter how good a designer you are, without a certain level of presentation skills, nobody will ever know. Practice public speaking, prepare, and take any opportunity you can whilst in uni to practice speaking to large (and small) groups! There is no underestimating the harm to your future career that bad presentation skills can cause – no one likes ‘ums’ and ‘erms…’ and ‘it’s nice’.
Read.
Anything.
…except Nuts.
This is the single best way to be and stay connected with the outside world. A talented designer with nothing to say isn’t much use to anyone, and there’s nothing more dangerous than an ignorant mass producer. If you live in a country that has a good newspaper, read it. If you don’t, find a good magazine (not Nuts…), or read countless ones on the web for free. Read blogs – whatever you need to get ahead!!
Don’t work alone.
I know you know that design is a collaborative effort, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t practice getting along with others while you’re still in the studio. But that’s not the real benefit of doing design work with others: It’s more fun. If you don’t already know this, then you haven’t done design work with others.
Take almost any job.
There is absolutely no replacement for the real thing, and practical experience in any design related field is more than you already have. So don’t spend six months after you graduate looking for the perfect job. And, certainly, don’t wait until you graduate to look for your first design job. You should be doing everything in your power to get some practical training onto your résumé and into your brain and hands before you graduate. That means helping out somewhere once a week, or bagging that summer internship. Do anything design-related. You’ll be respected more by future employers, and have some skills by the time you get out.
Jumping on the Brand Wagon!
So, every potential designer gets to that dreaded point where we have to take on that difficult client. You know the one I mean, bad tempered, foul mouthed, indecisive, the worlds biggest critic, never happy…..
Yes, that shitty client called yourself!
You could have a client list of all the most indecisive people in the world, and yet still we are our own worst enemy when it comes to branding ourselves. Most designers need an identity when dealing with freelance work, or even to utilise in your portfolio or website. It gives you a more professional look and a good brand can tell creative agencies or PR agency just how well they can sell your services to clients.
I went for years without facing up to the fact that I needed a brand. I eventually needed one quickly for some potential freelance work, and I just went bowling in and came out six hours later with about half a dozen A3 sheets of scribbles and ideas and going WHY DID I START THIS?!
Eventually at the end of it all, it was my playing around with type rather than fiddling about with some sort of icon or monogram which I was trying to do. I over thought the situation, and forgot what I hold dearest in design, typography and simplicity. (Although one can argue that i’m quite a simple person anyway so it represents me incredibly well!)
So this all begs the question - what do I need to consider when i’m jumping on the ‘brand’ wagon?
It is the hardest project for any designer or illustrator to design their own brand identity, but it really is an essential element for any successful designer. It isn’t an ego trip, it isn’t something that makes you an instant celebrity, but rather a method that you can present your professional self to other professionals.
Don’t rush it, and garner as many opinions as your fragile designer ego can take, it is better to hear something is right or wrong before you go and have it splashed across business cards or the web, and hopefully your brand will give you pride and propulsion to expand your clientele.
Then what?
Ok,
There are two essential things to have as a new designer looking for work:
Many designers are using Behance.net these days, and it is a really good way to show off their work. I would really reccommend setting up your Behance account with some of your work on - it gets a whole load of traffic, and you never know when a firm may come accross your work. However, there are thousands upon thousands of designers on there and it can be better to showcase your work by having your own unique website.
If you aren’t good with web development tools, don’t go for something too flashy and all singing and dancing - most designers can get to grips with basic HTML (and if you don’t i’m sure you will have at least one friend who maybe able to help!) just let your work stand out and be the highlight!
Just look at my website, i’m no web wizard, but it’s easy to navigate, shows off what I do well, and has a sprinkling of interesting elements.
My first website I was dead proud of, but I heard from a second hand source a potential client had said “it looks nice, but it isn’t that interesting..” this made me re-think my website into what it is today - a simple bit of javascripting really made the design more interesting and other non-designers seem to appreciate little things like this; I mean, I’m not trying to impress other designers, i’m trying to entice potential freelance clients - as soon as you remember this designing becomes a lot easier!
Other designers might like to show off how wonderful they are with beautiful Flash based websites, but if your client has to download the latest Flash player to view it, or is technically savvy and owns an iphone or an ipad (or even both!) they are going to be able to look at your site either! Remember you are designing for yourself first, then others.
One thing these days some designers completely forget about is having a physical portfolio. The majority of the time having an online portfolio will be sufficient, but having a physical one to does no harm - and a lot of interviews for creative positions will expect you to bring along a physical portfolio.
When making a physical portfolio, make sure it is a good format, diverse content and presented well. If you can see that an image is pixellated then chances are a creative director will too!
Spend a little time and money to put together a clean and easy to understand portfolio - and remember, you are probably going to be judged on your weakest piece!
Self promotion is key to your eventual success!
You are a creative person, you have spent a lot of time widening your experience and design style, and most likely in the last year of your degree you will spend a bit of time looking at self promotion.
Creating yourself a brand or an identity (like my Jamesydesign brand) it will enable you to guide your self promotion effectively.
What you do for self promotion is really upto your creative avenue - if you are a typographer, utilising this skill in either your portfolio or promotional material you can send a creative firm will really help you stand out.
Like all designers, creative firms really like nice things they can keep! I have stacks of packaging, postcards, zines, cut-out and keeps, toys, 3D glasses the list goes on - we are all creative magpies looking for the next shiny thing to catch our eye - in this case use it to your advantage and get yourself noticed!
Use social media to your advantage!
We all know the tales of how Facebook has ruined people’s careers with one set of drunken photos being added, and many people are scared to utilised social media sometimes when promoting themselves. I see social media as THE outstanding method to get positive attention, to both yourself and your work.
Twitter is one of the most fantastic social platforms a designer can have. Things can go viral fast, you can direct your tweets towards people, you can follow design firms and designers you both admire and have aspirations to work with. Mention them in tweets, but DO NOT twitter stalk them, ever. Directing one or two tweets here and there is great, but if you constantly direct tweets to them you run the risk of seeming really desperate. Tweet fellow student designers and build up a network of people, the last three major freelance projects I have undertaken have came from the result of people following my twitter account and seeing my work through that. (just remember if you are using twitter in this way, try to remember not to post things derogatory about companies etc - it’s a world of pain and can see you frozen out of a community quickly!)
Making friends with design companies
Be proactive; find local companies that you think you would like to work with and that you think you can offer something positive to. If it is a larger company, it is probably best to phone them up first, and most likely you will speak to either a junior designer, or the receptionist. At this point is where I recall something my grandparents always taught me - treat EVERYONE in a business like you would the most important person you could talk to. I have seen people lose job opportunities just by being rude to the receptionist - they remember these things, they are the ones who will report back to the creative director, AND they have better memories than elephants - they will remember you being rude and on the flipside, very polite.
If you fail to talk to anyone higher up in the company hierarchy, then politely ask for their personal email and send your details through that means instead.
When you do have that email address, and you go to send an email out, make sure that you have researched the company and you know what projects they have worked on - be complimentary but not over the top! Explain in the email why you would be such an asset to their company, make the email personal to each company, and attach a small example of your work, whether it be a consise portfolio, or just something fun that shows how creative you are.
Visit some design companies
Whilst completing your degree, chances are there will be lots of design companies coming to speak to you, or giving you advice, or even helping out with interview practice.
This is always an opportunity to find out more and to present yourself as someone who is enthusiastic and interested in what they do, and how you can learn off them. Ask them about the possibility of doing some unpaid work experience, it is all about getting your foot in the door!
Most design companies will look for people to come in and experience what they do this way, just keep trying, but don’t ever hound a poor design company and beat them down into giving you a days placement!
Most designers when they get their foot in the door like this it possibly will lead them further, if not with this company another - once companies can see you are being proactive in getting experience of real world design, then they are usually more interested in talking to you!
And finally….
There are many more avenues that you can take to help get you ahead in the industry, but I think that one of the best things that you can learn quite quickly is that just because your tutor tell you that you are an amazing designer and you keep getting firsts in all of your work, it does not make you the best candidate for a design job. Creative companies thrive on a good, positive and most importantly creative and hard working atmosphere, and if you come into their world as the ‘big-I-am’ most likely you will be leaving before you’ve even made your first round of coffees for everyone!
Be humble, be pro-active, don’t try and be something you aren’t - design companies want designers that will help raise their profile and earn them money, not persistent headaches!
Be actively pursuing all of these things throughout your design course, get work experience whenever you can, and build up these networks over a good amount of time - do not expect to try and do all this networking at your final show!
Chances are you will have had too many sleepless nights and glasses of wine to make any coherent sense! Utilise all of your time throughout your course to gain the best and most rounded experience and never ever give up, because it is usually when all looks lost that the best thing will come along!
Again I hope all this helps in someway to someone!
The post is photo reply enabled too - so show us your designs!!!
For more design articles and advice follow us here at Design Lecturer to get an insight and any advice you may need!
So you are coming to the end of your design course?
Want to get a creative job?
Well there are a few things that you will need to concern yourself with to start getting ready now, because a job is very unlikely just to land in your lap! It’s a difficult world out there and lots of other designers competing for the same jobs you are - not just graduates, but other established designers too!
But fear not, with a good portfolio and CV (resumé for my American readers) there is hope for designers of all standings.
So here is a run down of the essential things you should be doing over the next couple of months!
Checklist:
This is because not every agency you may work for will require a creative CV - also bear in mind sometimes you may have to go through external agencies to get positions, they generally ask for a standard CV so it’s good to have one ready! (plus, if finding that perfect design job is taking too long, most regular companies will not be impressed with that Neville Brody-esque excellently produced CV - they just want to know you are skilled, experienced and mostly that you are not a serial killer…)
How to write your CV:
a. You don’t necessarily have to put in the words “Curriculum Vitae” or “CV”. It’s already understood that it’s a CV. Also, it saves space.
b. Your full name should be the heading, followed by your job title.
c. Avoid putting your photograph. The same applies for date of birth and gender. According to UK laws, this is to prevent age and sex discrimination.
d. Make sure your contact details are visible. Include your website, email, phone number and address so that it’s easier for the potential employer to contact you. If you are quite conscious about your privacy, at least include the postcode and city in where you live, so that potential employees will know where you are based.
e. Objectives must be written in third party format.
eg:
Wrong
“I am a competent graphic designer who is flexible. I can work within tight deadlines…”
Correct
“A flexible and competent graphic designer who is able to work within tight deadlines…”
Keep your objectives to a minimum of 30 words.
f. Skills should be put first rather than your education, followed by the next important information in line. Because you will have to impress your potential employer in the first few seconds, make sure you sort the information according to priority, as stated in the list above.
Categorise your skills according to the following: Advanced / Intermediate / Basic
This will give potential employers a clear gauge on where you stand.
g. Okay, so you’ve worked as a cashier in MacDonalds, and a sales assistant in a clothing shop….but how is that relevant to the graphic design job you are applying for? If it’s not relevant, remove it.
If you had experience working in a design agency, it’ll be good to give a short description of what you did. Highlight your key skills in here.
h. Include the clients whom you’ve worked with under the category ‘Clients’. Not only does it enhance your work experience, it shows your professionalism. If you’ve none, just leave the category out.
i. If you’ve won awards or you had your artworks exhibited, list them in the category of ‘Achievements’.
j. Make sure your latest education qualification is on top, followed by the earlier ones. The same applies for achievements and work experience.
k. This may look like one of the easiest to fill, and the most neglected, but it’s actually one of the trickiest. Interests allow employers know a bit more about you. If surfing the internet is your hobby, chances are you are put in a more negative picture because it gives the impression that you may surf the net and not work! Avoid the terms ‘clubbing’ or ‘socialising’ as this may give employers the connotation that you ‘play around’.
Unless you are working for a tour agency, ‘travelling’ may be something you want to speak less about as it makes certain employers think that you may want to take more leave (or swan off to Thailand for 6 months!) Include interests that would not otherwise jeopardise your image.
4.Use bullet points -
It makes reading a lot quicker and easier. Remember, employers scan, not read!
5. Be honest - Common sense really, but if you choose to go down the dark route, it will show, and you’ll soon be discovered.
6.References
- Be sure to prepare at least 2 references (if you’ve got no work experience, include your tutors’ references) in advance, as some employers will request them. While you do not necessarily need to include that in your CV, it is essential that you put a phrase at the bottom: “References available upon request”
7. Use appropriate mediums
- CVs are to be saved in pdf format, not doc.(except for a few exceptions) or jpeg. Make sure that the file is saved for web viewing (you can do this in InDesign > File > Adobe PDF Presets > Smallest FIle Size), so that it is small and does not clog up the inbox.
Moving onto looking at your preparation for interviews and portfolios:
For example;
• Facebook, blogs, Twitter, websites, flyers, business cards, instagram, Youtube
• How much do business cards cost to be printed? Research and printscreen and include.
• How much do flyers cost to be printed? Research and printscreen and include.
• How much does web hosting and a domain name cost?
Design your own identity to use within your promotional material:
Research;
• Logo
• Business Card design
• Letterhead design
• Invoice design
• Social Media pages
• Websites
Produce;
• Logo
• Business Card design
• Letterhead design
• Invoice design
• Social Media pages
SOCIAL MEDIA FAUX PAS
Don’t put unprofessional photos, comments, opinions etc onto your social media pages - it’s the first and fastest way to lose credibility and makes yourself look daft to potential employers. More and more employers are also heading straight to Facebook and Twitter to check potential employees out - so if there’s a photo of you drinking beer out of your mates bum crack as you profile picture, don’t be surprised if you don’t get that callback!
If necessary have a professional site, and a personal one - make sure that your privacy settings are set to high on Facebook - it can solve a lot of issues!
Portfolio:
Right, before starting your portfolio I suggest you read my post:
“9 Ways to Make your Portfolio Suck…”
You should produce a creative portfolio that is appropriate to your chosen path eg:
• Printed
• Personal Website
• On-line etc
as this is the big one that can get your foot in the door!
The images at the top of the post are from the book Flaunt by Underconsideration an essential book for any prospective designer - plus you can get it instantly via purchasing the ebook directly from their site!
Some other useful tips to consider are;
Show your best work, in a sequence that makes sense. Make sure your resume is flawless, and has excellent typography. Keep it simple.
Marc English
Do good ideas and execute them well. Do not spend an extraordinary amount of time mulling over the size and the form of the portfolio itself.
Stefan Sagmeister
In web portfolios, I rarely gravitate toward the fancy stuff . I look for functionality, simplicity, beauty, and restraint. Make the site thoughtful.
Hillman Curtis
Avoid having to over-explain your work to the viewer. Walk into a review, or interview, prepared with the best work possible. Let the work speak for itself.
Carin Goldberg
It strikes us that the digital form of the portfolio has now taken on paramount importance. We’re much happier clicking through a straightforward PDF of greatest hits than having to waste time hearing about someone’s issues with their typography tutor or how they passed their cycling proficiency test. By pre-vetting electronically, it speeds things up massively.
Michael Johnson
Don’t include work just because it’s real. The fact that something was actually printed and used doesn’t make it more valuable.
Petter Ringbom
The work should be current—ideally from the past year. It’s not a retrospective of your time in school, or proof of all of the classes you attended. It’s good to think of the collection of work in the portfolio as evidence of your skills and conceptual abilities.
Petrula Vrontikis
Make sure that your craft is tight and clean. Pick a device that comfortably holds your work—be it a leather-bound box or a fur-covered suitcase—and reflects the type of work you hope to do. It makes a big difference, since it is usually resting on a table, in plain sight.
John Foster
I hope this helps in some way to kick starting your design career - again anymore advice you may need just drop me a line here at Designlecturer!
