Sandstorm Student Center: FAQs
from Students
Life
as a Designer | Design Skills | Finding
a Design Job | Design
Careers | Education
DESIGN CAREERS
- I
would like to make a career change to graphic design.
What is the best way of doing this?
- Do
you know of any periodicals or web sites that list
ad agencies in the cities?
- I
am looking to change careers and am wondering what
kind of background, education, and training companies
such as yours look for in a candidate for employment?
- What
are the steps in a creative department from junior
graphic designer to the creative director?
1. I would like to make a
career change to graphic design. What is the best way
of doing
this?
Making a career change is always a challenge.
My best recommendation to start would be to make sure you
know the following software programs: Photoshop, Illustrator
and Quark (or InDesign - very similar to Quark). These
are the basic tools that every graphic designer needs to
have in their tool box.
Your next step would be to build a portfolio. A great
way to start is to offer to do pro-bono work (which
means free)
for local charities or non-profits that could really
use the help. Most non-profits have tons of print work
available
such as invitations, brochures, direct mail, etc. In
return for your design work, request a few of the final
printed
samples for your portfolio. This is real world work,
and is perfectly acceptable to put in a portfolio.
(plus it
makes you look good too - for a good cause).
On your resume, I would suggest highlighting skills from
your job that could apply to a graphic designer such
as project management, time management, multi-tasking
abilities,
detail oriented, etc.
Lastly, when switching careers, you may have to start
at the bottom as a junior designer. This is the hardest
part,
especially if you have worked for a couple of years
and are used to a nice salary. But in the end, if
you love
what you do, you'll be happier in the long run! <
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2. Do you know of any periodicals
or web sites that list ad agencies in the cities?
In the Midwest, the leading resource for
the creative community is definitely The Creative Directory.
The Creative Directory lists over 5,000 creative
services in the form of a book, and better yet, offers
their directory on their website at http://www.creativedir.com/. You
may also want to check out: http://www.creativepro.com/
<
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3. I am looking to change
careers and am wondering what kind of background, education,
and
training companies such as
yours
look for
in a candidate for employment?
I can't speak for all design firms, but we look
at the individual's portfolio first. If it doesn't exemplify a basic
understanding of design principles and *wow* us, then we don't pursue
any further than that. We need to see potential in the new designer.
If the portfolio is wow-worthy, then their depth of experience
comes next. (and I'm not talking about design experience) I mean
work experience,
have they worked in healthcare, insurance, retail, etc. Anything
that might match a client we already have or an industry we are
trying to get into. We also like to see if they have any project
management
or people management skills. Anything that would be relevant in
a small business. Most design firms are smaller firms, and private,
so the type of person we look for is different than what a corporate
giant would go after.
If the portfolio is good, they have some good experience, then
we look at education. Do they value education? Did they exceed
in school?
We like over-achievers. Notice we didn't mention
software skills. Why? It's assumed you have to have them for
graphic design now, no exceptions. <
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4. What are the steps in a
creative department from junior graphic designer to the
creative director?
Here are the basic career steps:
Junior Designer
Senior Designer
Associate Art Director
Art Director
Senior Art Director
Associate Creative Director
Creative Director
Senior Creative Director
However, this largely depends on the company you work for.
Some companies have more, and many have less. It is determined based on the
overall structure of the organization. <
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