With so many graphic design blogs, job aggregators, recruiters, and job boards, how do you analyze all the information? There is definitely an information overload, so it is best to have a simple guide to move forward.
The creative industry is fast-moving, and so are jobs, so your focus can be crucial in finding the best fit for your skills. Each of these five points below should be used regardless of other methods used.
With so many blogs, job collectors, media recruiters, and job boards, how can you analyze all the information? There is definitely an information overload, so it’s best to follow a simple guide to move forward.
The graphic design industry is moving fast, and also jobs, and your focus can be crucial in finding the best fit for your skills. Each of these five points below should be used regardless of other methods used.
1) Go to the specialty or what is called a niche job board or a new media job board.
Why do you ask? It’s all about recruiters and HR when they need someone specifically for graphic design. They know that they will have a better chance of reaching the most targeted market segment. You can also connect with others in your industry and find additional resources.
2) Update your resume and adapt it. Include training and certifications.
This cannot be stressed enough. To get a graphic design job, you have to stand out from the crowd, plain and simple. Make sure your resume is up to date from the last 10 years, and the most imperative is that your previous web design graphics works fully show what you accomplished and not just what you did. How did you help the company in your previous positions?
Tailor your resume to work because graphic artist jobs involve a lot of creativity, and that will be an area that employers will pay a lot of attention to. It is not a one-size-fits-all resume. Show your skills!
3) Stay up-to-date with job-related news and associated technology.
This is very important. You need to keep track of which companies you are hiring for and for what reasons. Did they win a contract or land a great client? You will be able to use your custom resume (mentioned in # 2) to address these issues.
Technology within the design industry is always changing. You must know which are the latest applications for your role. For example, ask yourself how it is used for online advertising, marketing, web design, games, or digital movies.
4) Pay close attention to the job description.
You should never just show up for a bunch of jobs without fully reading the content, especially for a graphic web design job. There are specific needs that companies seek.
5) Have a portfolio!
As a graphic designer, you must have something for your potential employer to see visually. Set up a site or have PDF files ready to send. That includes any consulting work you’ve done, big or small.
As you can see, these five tips are easy to follow and should be used. Will everyone do it? Of course not, but it will definitely give you an advantage over someone who is not.
It’s just a basic strategy to target graphic design work
There is a lot you can learn from schools when it comes to the career you choose, even if you have a talent that surpasses the best of them. It’s not that talent that will get you through, it’s the way you use that talent that really matters, and this is what you’ll learn in school.
Now, if you are a little older and looking to start a career in graphic design, you will need to do a few things. The first thing you will have to do is decide whether or not you have time to take a course. Most people find that they cannot find time to go to class, and this is because most work during the day.
If you work during the day, you don’t need to worry because there are still ways to get the education you want and need, and it is through learning at home, which is called distance learning.
What does a graphic designer do?
Any professional in this fieldwork with images and text to create visually aesthetic elements and works. They create logos, brochures, website banners, sliders, and advertisements, etc. They work with images, paintings, photographs, and digital media to use photo and image editing software and create designs.
Not only do they make great creations, but they also make their creations speak to people in a special way. They are capable of creating graphics that send a message, both vocal and subtle, as needed.
Some job opportunities
Whatever message you are trying to send to the world, I am sure you will agree that the visual perception of a message is always greater and the impact more lasting. In that sense, this is a growing industry, and experts are in high demand.
You can find these professionals working in a graphic design company or with advertising agencies or other media companies such as magazines, publishers, websites, newspapers, museums, restaurants, or even consumer goods companies.
While an agency or company may expect you to work on multiple projects for different clients, internal employees of other companies and businesses will generally create charts for internal consumption.
And then there’s the freelance or self-employment route. Freelancers work for themselves and have the freedom to choose what work they want to do. However, they also have to do their own marketing and get their own customers. Therefore, this route can be arduous and the road long. However, once you get enough credentials, your ability to get repeat customers and referrals increases.
The money
Salaries vary. Graphics experts earn vastly different salaries based on a number of factors. The most talented and experienced professionals make the most money. Your software expertise, clean work, the aesthetic appeal of your creations, a dynamic portfolio, understanding of fonts and calligraphy, and the more subtle and nuanced differences between online and print design are what make the difference. While the title is not important for freelance work, originality and creativity are. However, for suitable employment, companies may consider some graduate degree as one of the eligibility criteria.
