Foreword:
- "The rate of speed at which the practice moves is cyclonic. All you have to do is look around to see that the world of design involves media that were inconceivable when grandmas were starting their careers."
- "digital" is now an umbrella term for graphic, information, interaction, and interface design
- it's no longer good enough just to know the basics: specialization is tenfold
Glossary:
- Job Divisions
- graphic designers are everywhere
- and do everything unless your company is big enough to specialize
- indie studios may not get to specialize but some do
- Job Titles
- because even independent firms have a totem pole
- manager level at the top has directors and strategists
- creative/design level is full of senior designers and art directors
- support level has junior designers and assistant directors
- entry level a la interns and junior junior designers
- New Jobs
- the number of graphic jobs in the digital age has just exploded
- studio vs. freelance: do you work in a team or fly solo?
- Job Seeking
- social media means you're expected to speak Twitter-ese as well as have a spiffy portfolio
- but on the flipside you can find clients/employers through say LinkedIn
- be aware of your web presence
- digital portfolios are no longer just nifty, they're standard
- The Optimum Portfolio
- limit of 15 maximum examples
- entry level is mostly class assignments and a few magazine covers
- junior/senior level is much more polished, less school based, and most importantly contains your absolute best
Additional Reading
- First Impressions
- professionalism is important even in private emails with clients
- DO NOT GO OVERBOARD with cutesy sayings or flourishes, THESE WILL GET YOU IGNORED
- don't assume. just don't.
