Work experience!

[Kai16]

Hi everyone =) this is my first proper thread lol...well basically i'm in year 12 at the moment studying AS art and photography but I would really like to do graphic design at uni. I've decided to try and get some design work experience this summer for maybe 1 week but I was wondering whats the best way to do this? I've come up with a kind of letter template but I read somewhere that I should maybe present it in a different way? And also would any design agency allow me to get experience there as i've never done graphics before? My school's going to offer Graphics AS next year, which i'm going to do but atm i haven't really got much experience of the programs or anything so i'm kinda confused about what to do xD thanks for reading this lol and any advice would be really appreciated! =)

[bigdave]

Hi there,

When I was 16 I got 2 weeks work experience with a small local print company. I spent the whole time making cups of tea and collating magazines. While I didnt learn anything directly related to Graphic Design, it gave me an insight to the print process and helped me forge some extremely useful industry links.

I think your best bet is just to find small companies in your area and pop in for a face to face.

[Kai16]

Thanks for replying bigdave =)
Wow i hope i dont have to spend most of the time making tea =/ although thats quite likely =p but yeah it would be good to just get a feel of what its like in the industry and the kind of environment =) thanks again, i will probably go to each agency directly and check =)

[Katedesign]

I think a job in a local small printers is a great way to get experience. You will get to see print machinery, customers files, finishing processes (like binding, folding, creasing, numbering etc) handle paper, they might have digital, they will make plates - loads of things. Find a small format printers B3 - small firm - you might do filing and tea making but you will be able to talk and watch and learn.

[bigdave]

Where abouts do you live? there may be a forum member who can either offer you a weeks placement or has a contact in your area who can help you get a foot in the door.

[Kai16]

Thanks katedesign, i'll have a look around for some printers as well then =D it would be awesome to see how everything works in there

bigdave - I live in the Central Hertfordshire area near to Hatfield =) It would be quite useful if anyone has any contacts around there haha =D

[bigdave]

Ill have an ask about on other forum Im a member of, see if wee can drum summet up for you.

[SparkCreative]

I personally wouldn't bother. At your age and experience you won't learn a great deal, as someone else said, they'll just get you making tea. For a busy company, having someone in of school age is really hard because they know so little you have to devote a lot of time to them and nobody has that kind of time.

And before you go and do graphic design, I strongly suggest you do a foundation course. You might decide product design, or photography, or interior design, or theatre design, or illustration, or film making are more up your street. And you'll have an excellent time too.

Don't be in such a hurry, have some fun!

[Chris247]

I personally wouldn't bother. At your age and experience you won't learn a great deal, as someone else said, they'll just get you making tea. For a busy company, having someone in of school age is really hard because they know so little you have to devote a lot of time to them and nobody has that kind of time.

And before you go and do graphic design, I strongly suggest you do a foundation course. You might decide product design, or photography, or interior design, or theatre design, or illustration, or film making are more up your street. And you'll have an excellent time too.

Don't be in such a hurry, have some fun!

I don't agree, do your work experience, try all companies you can, internship/work experience can easily turn into your first freelance projects.
It's a great way to learn office live and looks great on a CV.
If you try doing work experience you'll soon notice if it's something you want to always do or not.

[Kai16]

bigdave - Thankyou so much! =D It would be awesome if you could but don't worry about it if you don't have time or anything =)

SparkCreative - Thanks for your opinion =) I see what you mean, but at the same time I guess I would just like to see what the environments like at the same time. Also, if I had work experience on my CV then wouldn't I have a better chance with uni's because it shows that i'm quite dedicated and have at least tried to get some experience before? But yeah I am definitely going to be applying for foundations first just in case I change my mind lol xD
Lol but with regards to your last comment about having some fun - art is fun for me =p i'm a bit enthusiastic haha xD Most of my friends are revising atm but i've finished exams so nothing to do for a few weeks!

Chris247 - Thanks for your comment! Yeah as you said, I think if had experience then i'd have a better idea of what its like in the industry and it would look good on my CV =)