What level can you say you are as a designer?

[wienerdog]

I have only been a designer for 3 years, but have learned a lot in that time. What level designer can you classify yourself if you know specific skills? I have tested VERY highly on one staffing agency's multi-program test, then fail at another's InDesign test.

[Mickey]

Good question... I say whatever you think you can get away with. There are really no rules when it comes to this topic. It is all just what you feel your capable of and what you can prove to the employer.

[Envision1]

True but dont get carried away with it.
I hate people that are designers but on their resume or out of their mouth because they have a few other hobbies they think they are pros, Like the list of their skills- designer
photographer
web designer
musician
animator
illustrator
3D designer
etc
then you see there work and it sucks

[benjo]

I'm a senior designer, art director and even a creative director when freelancing. So as Mike said, whatever toots your horn but be rational. Don’t tarnish the name of designers for your own personal gain.

[morea]

I am on level 4. :p

[benjo]

As a side note when freelancing I do much more then freelance as project estimates are made contracts drafted and projects managed all through me. So be rational that is all.

[Mickey]

Like I said say whatever you are ready to prove!

[Envision1]

You could state whatever you want to. As benjo stated when freelancing you can have the biggest titles possible, doesnt mean you are. In my freelancing I could say I am a art director, designer, Porduction artist, web designer, writer, creative director, illustrator, etc. I know I am not.

Been in the idustry for about 7 years and I am still learnning software and design principles, and concepts. Just starting to get into senior design if you want to put a lable on it. My fist 1-4 years definatley all a learning experience, and still is. 3,4,5, 6 years or whatever you may know software good, but there is way more to know, otherwise adobe certification would be a breaze and everyone would have it. Software is the easy part, color, concepts, design principles, etc. is the tough part

[benjo]

Envision you are right. Software is the easy part and I honestly think this career has the biggest learning curve and I’m about ¼ of the way around it.

You not only have to learn principles but you have to learn how they create an image and maintain a brand. Branding and marketing are concepts and very important ones at that. Unfortunately the wrong people are at these positions due to the it’s not my job attitude some designers have.

Learn take initiative and follow the rules. Then you can be a Graphic Designer. Learn some more and you can be a senior, etc.

[Patrick Shannon]

What level am I? I'm still stuck on the "Press start to play" screen.

[wienerdog]

Well, I find it odd that 2 different agencies tested me very highly and one thinks I need to retest twice. ?

[Ulysses]

As a designer, I'm stuck in a Secret Bonus Level. There are extra lives and secret weapons here and there, but no clear path to the the Final Level. Hell, I could in fact, be in another game altogether by now ...

[benjo]

Agencies test aren’t really all that credible. I took Aquent’s test but the lady grading me wasn’t a designer so she thought WOW no matter what I did. This happened in NY so how can I give them credit for there test scores. Not only that but I never had an agency get me a good job so I don’t hold them in high esteem.

But as stated knowing the software although great doesn’t make you a good designer.

[paulrandfan]

AIGA has levels by which they evaluate salary expectations. You might check their site. It also can be evaluated by your job title.

[uncle carbunkle]

{help. i'm stuck inside this easter egg.}

[Drorain]

Race: Human
Level 12
Exp: 23042.5 pts Next level: 30000
Title: Called Production Artist, But Really Graphic Designer, but we dont wanna pay you that much
Stats:
Str: 8 (most lifting I do is coffee cup)
Int: 14 (this stat grows in college years...book smarts)
Wis: 6 (also grows with real exp...street smarts)
Dex: 14 (Ability to Conceptualize and Produce)
Agi: 12 (Abitlity to make deadlines)
Con: 14 (Ability to make things look Good)
Cha: 12 (Ability to sell on phone...+2 on sales skill)

Favorite Weapon:
Melee Weapons
Stylus+2 (Adds precision stats, improves chance to hit)
and Xacto Knife (Ability to make comps)

Range Weapons: Stapler+1 (This baby can punch thru 30 sheets of paper and launch deadly staples up to 2 yards)

Special Abilities:
Layout and comping to make things look good
Negative Abilites:
Lacking real world experience...never done blue line or seperations in my life
Having to much time to write this

Occupations: Graphic Designer, Production, and partial illustrator
Worst Enemy: Lack of respect in field that anyone with a computer is a designer...Fighting this problem
__________________________________________________ _____________________
Roll 4d20 Score 44
Result Unhappy but talented designer caught in junk mail type job getting paid dick

[defjoe]

I'm a Jedi Master

[red raw]

Depends what the level system is, as a designer at what I do i'd be about level 8/10... as a designer in terms of approach, organisation and dicipline i'd be about 4/10

As a designer in terms of world quality I'd be about a 2/10, until I get famous. Then the whores of the art world will lick my nads and boost me up to a ten without any real worthyness or effort, that's how the system works... get famous, have less to do and more hype than anything else.

[Keyare]

I'm a level 2 NC Computer generated character. I get killed easily but as soon as you turn around, there I am again!

[morea]

I am a level 6 cat-cleric with soul-sucking capabilities and a staff of undead turning.

>^..^< Caveat Skeletor... may Skeletor beware!

[greyghost]

That's a complex question.
I think as far as ad design, speed of design, quality of work, I'm getting pretty darn close to tops.
But, being on my own, I'm falling into the ancient history track in programs. I still use Quark - I know InDesign, and I would use it more, if I wouldn't have to convert 10,000 ads to InDesign in order to do it. I use Photoshop a lot, but my Illustrator skills haven't matured much in the past 3 years. And I still don't do web, something I've needed to learn for ages now.

[wienerdog]

Hahaha, you guys crack me up. Hey Benjo, when did you test at Aquent? I tested there, and failed twice on InDesign, but aced a couple other agencies. I've heard mixed things from agencies, some people I've met were converted to full time employees, others are perennial temps. :o/

I would consider myself and intermediate designer. I still have a lot to learn, but can keep up with most fast-paced reasonable work environments.

I am a Tetris Master, though. Tremble at my block-stacking skill. A friend of mine I share a commute with is envious of my full-color Tetris on my phone, and my mad skilzzzz are so intimidating!

[benjo]

Back in 2001 or 02. No it was 00 or 01 cause it was before 9/11.

I also was trying to get a job with the Creative Group another famous staffing agency in NY. None of them ever got me anything. I'm shore people get jobs through them I'm just saying my experience was less then stellar.

[Keyare]

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/household/return-of-tetris-shelves-100131.php

[morea]

LOL @ "tremble at my block-stacking skill"

oh, and Keyare, nice rack. :p

[tZ]

I find it quite interesting that you have asked this question.

Personally, i feel there is no level of graphic design. We are all designers and do somethings more so successfull then others.

We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. I find it unfair and unjust to sum up a persons amount of expertise in one number.

I also find it to be irrelvent based on position, expierience or job status.

However, if you would like to articulate via "level" then i feel it is more so via means of self accomplishment and furfillment then anything else.

There is allways more to learn whether you have been in buissness for 1 or 20 years and you can allways create a more sucessfull design then before. Never will one hit the the point of perfection because there isn't one.

There is only the satisfaction of knowing one is designer and strives forth for more so successfull design then previous.

Furthermore, there is no better as mentioned above.

Others may create more successfull designs/representations but, that does not make them better, This just means they can apply designs skills more accuratly/sucessfully for a more convincing design.

[reuber1]

Nevermind.

[jimintn]

I'm still looking for the pancakeing "any" key so that I can continue!