§ Do NOT make a themed portfolio or include pet projects such as drawing or photos, RATHER build these skills into a design
§ If you call a studio
o Say, “I’d like to show you my portfolio.” Or “My professor said that I should show you my portfolio.”
o Not: “Do you have any job openings?”
§ Learn how to work quickly
§ Learn program shortcuts
§ Summer is a dead time for the graphic design industry
o Work should pick up around September and be consistent until May
§ Companies usually hire you initially for your type-setting skills
o Make sure your portfolio is free of orphans & widows and doesn’t overuse hyphens
o We want them to know that we will fix mistakes and not make them clean up after us
o The more sooner you are good at type-setting, the sooner you will get to do real design work
§ If you see a job you really want, be persistent & network
§ If you quit designing, you WILL lose your skill – KEEP IT UP.
§ Some places you will fit in, others you won’t. Find someplace where you fit in.
§ Don’t stay in the same place for too long – you will find more success with diverse opportunities.
§ If you want to eventually start your own business, you should begin building clientele on the side as you work for someone else.
§ Contracts
o He has never seen contracts work
o Get half of the payment up front
o Agree to only do three rounds of changes
o No redesigns without extra payment
§ Learn about printing
o Mistakes are very expensive
o Learn from others whenever you have the chance
o Working on your own will cost you a lot.
