From graduate to junior designer
That time of year is again approaching when a new batch of graduates begin to look for that elusive first job in the design industry. This time last year, it was my friends and I preparing to leave University. Since then I have been fortunate enough to find a good job. This article I hope gives advice and encouragement to those students who want to make the transition from graduate to junior designer from someone who has just experienced this.
It may take time to get that first job, so I think it is really important to seek out freelance work in the mean time. This can help you improve your portfolio, give you experience of taking a job from the brief through to print, but most importantly keeps you active with your design work.
If you have not already done work experience, then get placements organised. This gives you first hand experience of the running of a design business and allows you to make contacts. All this keeps you fresh and motivated with your work.
Two of the most important factors of you getting a job are your CV and portfolio. CVs are very easy to get wrong. From my experience everyone has a differing opinion on the design approach of a CV, some want something clean and professional, others like to see something different and off the wall. In my opinion CVs should be treated as information design, but this does not mean it has to be boring or predictable. Your portfolio has to be strong. Be confident about your work. If you find yourself apologising for pieces of work, then this should tell you that it is not yet good enough to be representing your abilities.
Send work to design agencies. We get things sent to our office all of the time and we really do look and pass things around. Something I would have done in hindsight would be to have an online portfolio which allows you to send out a teasing and engaging piece of work that inspires and encourages designers to look on your website.
I believe one thing is key for young designers to get that first job and that is your motivation. I think the best piece of advice is to take every opportunity that comes your way, never turn down a chance to show somebody your work. I met my current employer at a portfolio clinic organised by the Cardiff Design Festival. It was an opportunity for third year students to meet Creative Directors and get feedback on our work. This was open to my class of about forty students. Out of the forty, only about eight of us went and for me it paid off as a few months later I was working as a result of taking that opportunity. If you have good motivation and put together a great portfolio of work, take opportunities or make opportunities, sooner or later someone will see that you have something to give in the design industry.
Steve Leard
Junior Designer, Black Sheep
