Getting a Job in Design, whatever it takes HEEEEEEELP

[Stickwood1]

Hi People, I've been using Photoshop and Illustrator for quite a while now and am confident with both bits of software.

I have applied for a few jobs in the industry but so far been unsuccesful.

Can anybody suggest what I should do to get going, I do a few small things in my own time, like flyers and Photo Montages for people and I really do seem to know it better than some of those in the industry......without meaning to sound clever.

I don't have qualifications but have taught myself well from books and hours of practice.

Thanks

[snypa]

i'd start by learning some page layout software like indesign, quark or pagemaker
study color theory, learn how to group information, readpath, typography, PREPRESS!

hope this doesn't sound harsh, but it takes much more than technical skill with illustrator/photoshop to get into this. i know quite a few people who studied design for years in school and still have no job. stick around this forum and you'll learn a lot, though

...spending a dime, while earning a nickel

[Stickwood1]

Could you explain a little more what you mean by PREPRESS and readpath

Thanks for your advice though

[snypa]

prepress is printing issues. learn the difference between spot and process color... to start. as important as this topic is, there are some jobs that don't require prepress knowledge, though. but the good ones do!

readpath is directing the eye to move through the doc in a certain way. designs are ineffective when there is no start/finish

...spending a dime, while earning a nickel

[Stickwood1]

Oh I get you now re: read path, yeah I understand where you are coming from, very similar to Photography in that respect.

Thanks

[defjoe]

As good as you think you might be... by what you have told us you know about 5% of what it takes to be successful in this industry. i'm not being an @ss, i'm just giving it to you straight up. you have a long way to go. i suggest starting at the bottom, try to get an internship at a printhouse or similar and learn pre-press and printing and on your off time study up on InDesign, quark, Freehand, etc.

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'

[Stickwood1]

It amazes me how some people get the job to start with, some pieces are riddled with spelling mistakes and just cheap ideas such as Ellipses on everything, for logos especially, but then I suppose there is only a specified time per job.............seems to me a lot only do the job as they have the knowledge of the software but have no imagination to tie in with that software whatsoever, sad, very sad

[defjoe]

Depends on the place... but I'm taking it that you want to work for a respectable place. not just some mom and pop shop. Which is good to learn at but you make no real money at tthese places nor can you get far career wise. But big firms will not allow mistakes like that.

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'

Ellipses? I love an ellipse. What is wrong with using them on everything or better yet with swoosh logos.

[snypa]

...with comic sans!

...spending a dime, while earning a nickel

... and a gradient fill, oh and don't forget the drop shadow on that body text!

[snypa]

if you're interested in prepress, the Print Publishing Guide from Adobe is a good book
for design, chcek out Graphic Design Basics by Amy E. Arnston

...spending a dime, while earning a nickel

[Rocketpig]

snypa said...
...with comic sans!

Don't forget the grey drop shadow!

If I was any less productive right now, I'd be comatose.