Comments on: What is it Like to be a Recently Qualified Designer?

By: paul.

paul. — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 02:08:25 +0000

I am majoring in Graphic Design and Web Design and I will be graduating in May (2008). One of my main concerns is that I am attending a liberal arts college, therefore I have taken much fewer design courses than someone who attended an art or design school. I worry that I may be behind others entering the field at the same time.

By: LaurenMarie - Creative Curio

LaurenMarie - Creative Curio — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 22:02:19 +0000

Hey wow, it’s great this post is still being read! And since I wrote this article, I’ve gained even more experience! I recently started working for a large real estate firm and our budget is much bigger than my former employer’s (we did almost everything in house on a B&W printer), which I feel allows me more creative freedom. I’m working on a piece right now that will have a foil stamped cover. I’m excited to see how it turns out! Thanks for stopping by to say hi Rebecca, and I hope to see you over at Creative Curio, too

And thanks to you, too, Tara, for the reminder to Rebecca and the opportunity to write for you and the GDB readers. I’m working on that case study thing you asked for, too, I just need to scan my sketches! I’ve written it all out though… hope to get around to it soon and maybe have 1 or 2 more in the works that I’ll do a write-up for

By: Tara: Freelance Designer

Tara: Freelance Designer — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:18:50 +0000

Hi Rebecca, Glad you are enjoying the site, and thanks for the link. Don't forget to check out Lauren's site at Creative Curio (who wrote this article)

By: Rebecca Taylor

Rebecca Taylor — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:09:31 +0000

Hello. Just wanted to say I’ve found this post really useful, along with a lot of the rest of your site – a great resource! This article is particularly interesting because I’ve recently written one along similar lines – looking at university graduates and how prepared they are for the real world of design work. I graduated a few years ago, and am now working in the industry and its interesting to compare other peoples’ experiences along with my own, as well as comparing my attitude as a graduate compared to now! If anyone’s interested in reading it my article is on the Deckchair UK website blog (pingback above!). Thanks again for a great site!

By: Design on the mind » Blog Archive » Graduating into the Real World

Design on the mind » Blog Archive » Graduating into the Real World — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 10:45:38 +0000

[...] interesting articles: Design Skills to Pay the Bills – Computer Arts Magazine What is it like to be a recently qualified designer? Graphic Design Blog Diplomacy in Design – Computer Arts [...]

By: Thomas Fjordside

Thomas Fjordside — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:08:06 +0000

Mark: If you want to get in with your situation I would advise you to use and expand your network. When I started out, I made sure to tell everyone about what I did. You’ll be surprised how many of your friends and family know somebody who is thinking about getting some graphic design done. I have even got contacted by people who were friends with people I talked to for about 10 mins at a party. The most powerful tool you have is yourself and your network.

By: Mark S

Mark S — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:46:26 +0000

Thanks for the quick reply!

Funnily enough, the first thing I did after posting was do a quick search for local part-time courses. No immediate results, but I’ll keep looking

By: Tara: Freelance Designer

Tara: Freelance Designer — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:31:52 +0000

Hi Mark have you though about doing a part time Graphic design Course? I know Aaron at Milienzo.com did a part time course in New Media Design and now has a job in the industry.

By: Mark S

Mark S — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 14:24:18 +0000

I’m in a frustrating position at the moment. I’m trying to break into graphic design but lack either of the two most necessary ingredients – a degree or experience.

I love designing and I’m determined to get into the industry, it’s the only career I can really see myself enjoying.

To bring this back on topic a little bit, I guess I’d say what scares me most as a newbie is my level of ability when stacked up against others my age (23).

I’ve read the other comments about confidence and not comparing your work to others, still I often can’t help but think I just won’t measure up.

Does anyone know of anyone succeeding from such a cold start (self taught, no degree, no professional experience)? If so…how? lol

Many Thanks.
Great article with some truly helpful comments!

-Mark

By: LaurenMarie - Creative Curio

LaurenMarie - Creative Curio — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:59:37 +0000

That’s a great idea, Josh. No one has suggested that yet (maybe pun intended? hehe)