I need guidance!

[007XX]

Hi all!

I don't usually ask for help, be it in real life or on here...but in this instance, I really need to speak to as many people as I can to get as many varied opinions as possible.

Are there any graphic designers on Kb I could speak to, or anyone knowing someone working as or teaching / hiring graphic designers that I could get feedback from?

Reason being: I am one of them accursed "Jack of all trades, master of none", who have made it by for the last 13 or so by ways of the gift of the gab...

Thing is: I am sick and tired of doing something I don't love because it pays the bills...

Now... I have above average artistic capabilities, am reasonnably handy and confident with computers (all self taught), but only have an overseas education, and I don't know where to start looking as I am aware there are many categories answering to Graphic design.

Please help, I really just want to make my son proud and be able to have a job that gives me a bit of satisfaction while affording me to spoil my boy and husband a bit...

Thanks in advance for any PM, or contacts / advice.

Cheers,

V

[nodrog]

what area of graphic design do you want to get into? technically what i do could be classed as some sort of graphic design, and its farkin boring, then again i have been doing it for 10+ years.

[007XX]

yes, you and I have already touched upon the subject of your job, but I didn't think it could enter in the category of graphic design.

I was more thinking along the lines of pamphlets making, digital design...

Then again, as stated before, I am rather keen to know more so keep the ideas coming :niceone:

Cad design I have had a little to do with and it was ok, but not as creative as I could have wished for.

[nodrog]

Cad design I have had a little to do with and it was ok, but not as creative as I could have wished for.

you should see some of the wanky 3D pictures people ask for, (FFS they are only kitchens people), you can get really creative, like the time i managed to stuff a koala into a jar on a shelf for a really annoying aussie women, she didnt really have a sense of humour, lucky my old boss did.

[jrandom]

You know, you could consider working in prepress / layout at a printing company. Fascinating work, and quite good pay, since the EPMU has all such operations in this country firmly in its iron grip.

I could get you a lunch date with an industry veteran if you're keen to learn more.

[Joni]

I am currently busy recruiting a Graphic Designer for my employer... I have been doing interviews, reference checks and been in long discussions on what is needed this week, so it’s very fresh in my mind.

PM me if you need help. i.e. what is needed, difference between agency/studio work and pre-press for printers etc...

[007XX]

you should see some of the wanky 3D pictures people ask for, (FFS they are only kitchens people), you can get really creative, like the time i managed to stuff a koala into a jar on a shelf for a really annoying aussie women, she didnt really have a sense of humour, lucky my old boss did.

:laugh: Then I guess I'll just have to come and have a look at your job at some stage and make up my mind based on that...cheers, buddy!


You know, you could consider working in prepress / layout at a printing company. Fascinating work, and quite good pay, since the EPMU has all such operations in this country firmly in its iron grip.

I could get you a lunch date with an industry veteran if you're keen to learn more.

I have had some contact with that when I was selling printing a couple of years ago...this is the type of area that I'd be interested in knowing more about, so yes please re: veteran interview :D


I am currently busy recruiting a Graphic Designer for my employer... I have been doing interviews, reference checks and been in long discussions on what is needed this week, so it’s very fresh in my mind.

PM me if you need help. i.e. what is needed, difference between agency/studio work and pre-press for printers etc...

That'd be awesome...I'll do a list of questions before bugging you with a PM...Thanks Joni.

[007XX]

Bump...and no, it don't mean I'm up the duff :p

[slick]

Your options...
1. If you are a creative genius, go straight to a big agency and sell yourself.

2. A more realistic approach might be to do some training, get in the door somewhere as a junior and build up some expereince.

3. Get some practical training in software and pre-press and go self employed, if you have a wide network of friends, can be a good way to get work.

You need to know indesign and photoshop inside out. Most places use Macs, and you need to know how to supply files to print. Agencies are looking for experience backed up with a portfolio of great work, actual qualifications are a bonus. Magazines will take juniors but don't expect to get rich. Self employed can be great but you spend less time designing and more time on the phone and doing paperwork.

Hope this helps let me know if you have more specific questions. I have been in the industry for 20 years, started in the UK with 4 years at art college, now in an Auckland agency.

[007XX]

Your options...
1. If you are a creative genius, go straight to a big agency and sell yourself.

However compelling the idea, I shall resist...My momma taught me modesty, and a deep seated sense of reality:laugh:



2. A more realistic approach might be to do some training, get in the door somewhere as a junior and build up some expereince.

That was the way I was intending on going, with a goal of achieving option 3 after say 5 years of experience maybe...


3. Get some practical training in software and pre-press and go self employed, if you have a wide network of friends, can be a good way to get work.

I have some knowledge already about pre press work, as I worked as a sales rep for a printer/publisher...but I would by no means say that it would be enough to get me going by myself staright away.


You need to know indesign and photoshop inside out. Most places use Macs, and you need to know how to supply files to print. Agencies are looking for experience backed up with a portfolio of great work, actual qualifications are a bonus. Magazines will take juniors but don't expect to get rich. Self employed can be great but you spend less time designing and more time on the phone and doing paperwork.

I was told about indesign and Photoshop...Also about Adobe Creative Suite... I am currently checking out courses and Uni options, but it is confusing knowing which is actually the best to go for, especially when the options are not cheap. What really concerns me is not getting the right qualifications, and having to compete in a market flooded with 20 year olds with degrees coming out of their noses...Am I correct in being worried about this in your opinion?


Hope this helps let me know if you have more specific questions. I have been in the industry for 20 years, started in the UK with 4 years at art college, now in an Auckland agency.

That would be awesome, I'd really appreciate it....I will make sure to get in touch as soon as I've made a bit more ground work on the various courses and maybe bounce some ideas off you...

[MSTRS]

what area of graphic design do you want to get into? technically what i do could be classed as some sort of graphic design, and its farkin boring, then again i have been doing it for 10+ years.

Tagging doesn't count, bro....

[Skunk]

After 22+ years in prepress you don't want my opinion...

[nodrog]

Tagging doesn't count, bro....

it must do, WINZ are paying me

[007XX]

Tagging doesn't count, bro....

:shifty: I bet I could prove you wrong...

[jrandom]

After 22+ years in prepress you don't want my opinion...

Arrgh! A live specimen!

:crazy:

[EJK]

Aa7 on KB is a graphic designer... I think...

I met him a few times on AWNR. Flick him a PM :)

[007XX]

Seriously guys...another question I have is:

Are the graphic design jobs available in proportion to the uni freshies?

I am not exactly a teenager anymore, and I would hate to be refused a job (:shit: would be a first for me too) because I am without experience and too old?

And for those who ask, my birthday is on the 29th this month, and I'll turn 32... :p

[Ocean1]

Cad design I have had a little to do with and it was ok, but not as creative as I could have wished for.

What were you using? There's some crossover between some 3d CAD ap's and graphic arty farty crap, and the link's getting stronger with the likes of Weta pushing some boundaries.

Wee looky here:

http://www.3dcafe.com/asp/default.asp

[007XX]

What were you using? There's some crossover between some 3d CAD ap's and graphic arty farty crap, and the link's getting stronger with the likes of Weta pushing some boundaries.

Wee looky here:

http://www.3dcafe.com/asp/default.asp

Nothing quite as advanced as this I'm afraid...I used to work for a kitchen manufacturing company, and designed kitchens on Cabinet Vision and Quisine...It was ok, but it was a little limited in the applications...beign an avid learner, I just hoovered the little that they wanted to teach us of it...

I guess this is why I am looking at my options at the moment...Trying to find a job that makes use of my artistic abilities and my natural aptitude with computers...

I realise that Graphic design is a very broad term, hence the fact that I would love to be able to speak to someone who could tell me all about it.

[Big Dave]

Good agency/publishing house jobs are hard to come by - because they are good jobs.

But you don't actually need a job to do the work - I like freelancing too.

It's a game where you can set yourself up in business relatively easily.

Note that Pre-press work is to creativity what a seamstress is to the ballet.

[Big Dave]

For a junior position at an Art House you need basic

Indesign
Photoshop
Illustrator
Acrobat
Mac OS and how to move files around and manage them.

The CAD thing is handy, not much more.

If you can use dreamweaver and flash that works in favour too.

Setting up templates for MS Office apps are handy skills too.

[007XX]

Good agency/publishing house jobs are hard to come by - because they are good jobs.

But you don't actually need a job to do the work - I like freelancing too.

It's a game where you can set yourself up in business relatively easily.

Note that Pre-press work is to creativity what a seamstress is to the ballet.

Ok that makes sense...I wouldn't go freelance without work experience though...would be too easy to fuck it up and quickly get a bad name.

Do you think studying at Uni or any other "grown up classes" for Photshop or in design would be enough?

Edit: just read your second post...sorry!

[Ocean1]

Note that Pre-press work is to creativity what a seamstress is to the ballet.

Unnecessary window dressing?

[slick]

Adobe.com make 'creative suite' (CS) which is a collection of software including Photoshop and InDesign.

Not convinced by software courses, they tend to be too 'generic' and try to cover everything for everyone which is impossible. Your money would be better spent on...

If you are serious you are going to have to buy CS2 or 3 and preferably a Mac (G5 or Intel iMac - some on Trademe), then you should work through the supplied tutorials and set yourself some pretend projects. Software ain't cheap and they are a bit too clever at anti piracy stuff now, reckon on $3k-ish. Cheap option would be to buy CS2 for PC.

Supplying files to print has got a lot simpler over the years and most printers have 'artwork guidelines' they will supply you.

Try getting some real jobs from friendly contacts at 'mates rates' to get the experience, even if they never go to print, build a portfolio as you go and take it from there.

From applicants we get there are a lot of 'newbies' around who we can't even look at, you've got to have experience, don't care about qualifications it's much more important that you can demonstrate you can turn good work around fast and supply to print with no probs...

[Big Dave]

Unnecessary window dressing?

Dour work in the back room with little glamour - but the show don't go on without them.

[007XX]

Adobe.com make 'creative suite' (CS) which is a collection of software including Photoshop and InDesign.

Not convinced by software courses, they tend to be too 'generic' and try to cover everything for everyone which is impossible. Your money would be better spent on...

If you are serious you are going to have to buy CS2 or 3 and preferably a Mac (G5 or Intel iMac - some on Trademe), then you should work through the supplied tutorials and set yourself some pretend projects. Software ain't cheap and they are a bit too clever at anti piracy stuff now, reckon on $3k-ish. Cheap option would be to buy CS2 for PC.

Supplying files to print has got a lot simpler over the years and most printers have 'artwork guidelines' they will supply you.

Try getting some real jobs from friendly contacts at 'mates rates' to get the experience, even if they never go to print, build a portfolio as you go and take it from there.

From applicants we get there are a lot of 'newbies' around who we can't even look at, you've got to have experience, don't care about qualifications it's much more important that you can demonstrate you can turn good work around fast and supply to print with no probs...

Interesting...I'll give it some serious thought, as I hadn't seen this scenario as an option.
Thank you...i like the no BS approach you have in your explanation.

[Big Dave]

If you extremely lucky you get to do some of the coolest gigs...

[007XX]

If you extremely lucky you get to do some of the coolest gigs...

Hmmmm...I knew that...you lucky bugger (although a little voice tells me luck had bugger all to do with it). Say Hi to Michael E. for me please.