Where do I begin?

ellieb1990

ellieb1990

New Member
I left uni two years ago with a degree in graphic design. I took some time out to work full time instead of going straight into design. I regret this. I've recently had an interview for a designer role which I got turned down for. I was wondering if there's anyway of getting into the business. How do I get experience or do I keep applying for jobs until I get one?

I'm currently refreshing my HTML/CSS knowledge and learning PHP/Java. I was looking at going down the web designer/developer route.

Please help!
 
Hi Elllie

I also left uni 2 years ago, went straight into full time work (pulling pints) whilst trying to find a graphic design job, its really hard to get your first job. I tried off and on for about a year, and got a job about a year later. My design skills also suffered during this time, so keep designing whilst looking, do some personal projects you always wanted to do. How is your portfolio looking? Look up all the design agencies in your area and keep a look out for job postings or contact them directly. But don't be be put off by this one rejection :)

Knowing HTML and CSS is a great extra asset to sell yourself, I have done web design in the past but always work alongside a web developer to get the site live, having just a basic understanding of how a website is structured and works saves a lot of time for the developer. So it's a great idea to learn these skills.
 
Do some placements and get to know people in the industry who can introduce you to other people. You're far more likely to get hired off the back of a placement than just a cold interview at a studio, especially since you have a 2 year 'gap' in your work experience.
 
Thank you. I'm going to look at getting a placement somewhere near me and in the meantime do some side projects to get my portfolio up to date. Only done one brief for a company since leaving so it's not enough.
 
Paul Murray said:
Do some placements and get to know people in the industry who can introduce you to other people. You're far more likely to get hired off the back of a placement than just a cold interview at a studio, especially since you have a 2 year 'gap' in your work experience.
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I'm having a similar problem... As I've just had a kidney transplant and want to get back into the world of employment... But I've never actually had a graphic design job before. I've only done freelance work here and there and most of my work has been unpaid favours to charities and mates. What is the best way to go about getting a placement? Just email design companies asking them if they have any placements available and link them to my portfolio? Or is there somewhere that companies advertise looking for placement staff?
 
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To be honest as someone from an agency who has been involved in recruiting experience is important and so is having skills, I suggest email some agencies and ask to do a months worth of work experience/internship at least and also make sure you have a good portfolio of projects with a nice mixture of highly creative work and more business focussed type of stuff like leaflets or website design work etc. Another really important thing to look at is brushing up on knowledge of fonts, from our experience they can make or break a design so having a good understanding of the right typography is very attractive in this Graphic designer role.

I would also suggest upskilling and adding to your repertoire, skills such as copy writing or some SEO/PPC knowledge. As a manager i know what i always value is having strategic depth in my team.

I hope that helps.
 
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