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Tips for budding design superstars! 19
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Part one - I think we all forget what its like starting out as a fresh-faced junior in that scary and intimidating busy design studio. Here’s some of the tips that helped me push on.
College / University
First off, you’re in education learning the trade. The best thing about studying is the amount of independent learning you do. You can gather a style for yourself. Your own mark that will separate yourself from the rest. Ask yourself this, “am I ready to unleash my powers on the world just yet?”. Maybe your style could do with some more tweaking and refining, Maybe your tutor is an invaluable resource and your learning so much....If so you’re in the right place...for now.
But If you think that you’re ready to jump headfirst into the design industry, Great! What’s that I hear you say? You won’t be able to find a job without a degree? Trust me, It doesn’t matter how old you are or what qualification you have If your portfolio is good enough then so are you. There are jobs out there, just waiting for you. We at Flame are looking for a junior designer and Summer Interns as I speak.
Finding a job
So you have honed your skills, have a respectable portfolio and have curved your sleeping pattern back into shape. What to do now?
- Sort your CV/Resume out, PDF’s a nice format.
- Get your portfolio online, if your a web designer make sure your code validates and it displays nicely in the main browsers on a mac and PC.
- Search the job listing boards, here are some that list jobs for the north-west of england. The Serif, thedrum
- Research the local agencies, the best in the region. Ring them up and ask for the email address for the person who’s in charge of the job openings.
Send your CV and explain a little about yourself and what you can offer. Sending in a basket of cakes always goes down a treat and will at least get the person in charge to read your email twice-over.
Hopefully you will have some interviews lined up now, if not don’t give up. Keep going, its all about pushing on. Getting yourself into the office is the most important thing you can do. The idea is to be creative, and communicate your creativeness to your potential boss. Do this and you’ll soon be working in a exciting and rewarding studio.
Soon I’ll talk about asking for help making mistakes, asking for a pay-rise, being a active voice in creative meetings and other various tips which I haven’t come up with yet.
19 comments - Don't be shy, add a comment
says...
Thanks for the comment Doug,
Thanks for putting my site in your flickr feed to!!
Comment post on 04/09 at 09:28 PM
Phil Thompson says...
Thanks for the great information Ian.
I know when I started I did exactly the same thing (except I went to uni first) and I sent out emails/mailshots to all the agencies in and around Manchester.
Unfortunately, very few of them got back but then again, I never sent in a basket of cakes with my letters!
Comment post on 05/16 at 07:51 AM
says...
Thanks Ian for a great post. Some good tips in there. I’m beginning this process at the moment. Just finished my second year of uni (1 more left) and hoping to get a job and gain some experience during my final year.
Looking forward to reading more.
Comment post on 06/04 at 11:06 AM
Nathan Beck says...
This is a fantastic and very true post. I’ve recently started working with Ian at Flame Digital, an amazing opportunity I’m very lucky to have been given.
But I’m only 18 and I don’t have a single qualification in web or graphic design. I’m mainly self-taught and have simply spent many evenings and weekends over the past 2 years trying to cram in as much as web design knowledge as possible.
It just goes to show that qualifications aren’t everything. That dedication, perseverance, a good portfolio and a pinch of luck can go a long way.
Now my real education begins…
Comment post on 06/26 at 04:02 PM
Nick - Graphic and Web Designer in Sydney says...
When I started in design there were no courses in the web, it was still a new thing. After spending ages teaching myself how to build websites by reverse engineering sites, I got a job in web design based on my determination to do webdesign rather than print design. And I am still at the coal face beacuse most of the stuff I need to learn just isn’t being taught, or worse, it is trying to recode and redesign things for the new technologies. Hello iPhones!
Learning never stops, because if you stop on the web, you will be left behind rather fast.
Experience in a studio will give you access to talented people doing what you yourself want to do, and that is worth MUCH more than sitting at a desk trying to get a lecturer to tell you how to do a particular thing you need to know to finish something off.
Comment post on 11/12 at 05:45 AM
ecommerce web design says...
Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer! I will bookmark your blog. Also would like to thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work
Comment post on 11/26 at 07:20 AM
Portland Oregon Website Design says...
Hey. Stunning article man! Thanks for sharing it.
Comment post on 01/20 at 01:37 PM
uk education consultants says...
Lucrative and informative post. Best wishes. Keep it up
Comment post on 01/27 at 04:58 PM
Web Design says...
I agree that sometimes a great portfolio is better than a college diploma. Clients are after those who have the skills and by showing them your sample work, you are greatly marketing yourself.
Comment post on 02/04 at 06:44 PM
working from home says...
I don’t have much of work experience,but have qualifications. Due to not having much of work experience I am have trouble in finding job. Please advice me what should I do.
Comment post on 02/10 at 12:18 PM
flat pack manchester says...
I need to learn just isn’t being taught, or worse, it is trying to recode and redesign things for the new technologies. Hello iPhones!
Comment post on 02/22 at 06:49 AM
stock charting software says...
I will bookmark your blog. Also would like to thank you for sharing. Keep up the good work
Comment post on 02/22 at 11:25 AM
Web Design says...
A great portfolio is definitely better than a qualification. Its one thing knowing how to do something, another actually doing it, and to a high standard.
Comment post on 02/24 at 09:13 AM
living room furniture says...
I am still at the coal face beacuse most of the stuff I need to learn just isn’t being taught, or worse, it is trying to recode and redesign things for the new technologies.
Comment post on 02/25 at 05:30 AM
Internet Marketing Training says...
Nice information given before us. As a budding web designer, I will take this guideline very seriously and implement the same as given.
Comment post on 02/25 at 10:34 AM
currency software says...
I am have trouble in finding job. Please advice me what should I do.
Comment post on 03/06 at 06:07 AM
says...
Thanks for a wonderfully written and informative post. The examples really bring the concepts to life.
computer repair
Comment post on 03/07 at 07:15 PM
Lovely you found my blog. I’m a design and build creative from the glorious Manchester. Lets talk design! keep in the loop and add the site to your rss reader.
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Experience versus University
University isn’t for everyone. Though harder, you can still forge a career in the design industry without a degree but you need bucket-loads of drive. Published Web Designer Magazine May 2008
Doug Avery says...
Nice write-up, I’ll be waiting for the next post in this series. One issue I ran into with my own education is the woeful lack of instruction on the web in college...I had to learn this stuff in bits and pieces from colleagues after graduation, and it took far longer than it should’ve. Do you have any tips for soon-to-be grads who want to enter the huge, daunting field of web design?
Comment post on 04/08 at 09:43 PM