Hello everyone!
Well it's been about 3 months since I last blogged... Oops! But I do have a reason. You see, I've been a very busy bee! I updated my online portfolio and started up this blog, then started working full time at the Welsh Assembly Government as a contracted Junior Web Designer. I know, I still can't believe it myself! And what an experience it's been. I've designed a Twibbon which was a big success, and I've been working on a project that includes a redesign and build of an outdated existing website. It's been very exciting and I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I feel like my design skills have blossomed by the day! And my CSS skills seem to have improved! All I need now is to sit down and learn CSS3 and HTML5... and PHP... I'll have to substitute TV shows and relaxing for learing and advancing I think!
On a serious note, my contract will unfortunately be ending on March 31st. So I'm out looking for another position to help me advance even more as a designer. Any junior graphic designer and web designer out there knows how difficult this is at the moment. Nowhere seems to be hiring! And if they are, I can guarantee I'll need to battle through 100s of applicants to be chosen. But that's the world we live in at the moment, and I'm doing my best to be the best designer that I can be so that I can advance and be noticed. So I've been updating and adjusting my portfolio (http://www.rebecca-lloyd.co.uk), which I still haven't completely finished, but I'm getting there. Please let me know what you think! Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Other than working and improving my website, I haven't much more to report on the design front. If you know someone who needs design work doing, send them my way. I'm looking to do some jobs on the side.
And I will be making more of an effort to blog from now on. I don't want to disappoint my readers! Hehe!
Until next time everyone, have fun!!
I would like to start a career in graphic design. Specifically, greeting card design. But I don't know where to get started. Help?
ReplyDeleteHi freelance graphic design! Well it can be a lengthy journey. Have you been to university or college to study graphic design or a similar course? It's not necessarily necessary if you haven't - I've found that people are more interested in my portfolio than my education. Out of 4 interviews I've had in the last year, only one enquired about my degree.
ReplyDeleteYou must have a strong portfolio to sell yourself and your skills to employers and if you're going freelance, to your potential clients. Have a range of different projects in there which show off your best work and your talent - some corporate pieces, more personal pieces, small projects, larger projects and so on.
A well designed CV will help you stand out from other designers when applying for jobs, and wel thought out content. Only include past experience of design and thedesign industry. Include work experience where you have examples of your using your initiative and maybe creativeness in other jobs if you don't have much to beef it out. Take a look on google for examples of graphic designers' CVs to see what I mean. Unusual CVs (different materials, added materials etc), and CVs that have great use of layout and type helps to show that you know what you are doing and that you have put thought into even just a CV. Maybe even look into the companies you may be applying to and make the CV/application personal to them.
Think of what makes you different and unique as a designer too - what is your unique selling point? Highlight this, and use it to stand out from the rest. Work experience is also very valuable. Get in touch with as many companies as you can who specialise in what you're interested in, and ask if it would be possible to have unpaid work experience with them. One day a week, a whole week or even just one single day will help you to see what working in the industry you're interested in is really like. It will also teach you a lot that you can't be taught in university and college. It will look great on your CV too.
It's a long but rewarding road. Just keep applying, keep designing, build up your portfolio and you'll get there eventually. And be patient. It's a difficult industry to break into with all the talent that emerges every year. This time particularly is difficult thanks to the recession, the lack of jobs and the amount of graduating designers. So give it time. It'll be worth the wait.
Good luck!