Welcome Aboard!


In honor of your membership you are here by given a stack of waffles!





When you get settled please read this as well as these very important threads. They will give you all the info you need on how the forum runs, the rules and regs, and give you some background info on our long running, inside jokes

Here is something you should read specifically so you are better informed about spec work:

http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/fo...23&postcount=7

This market is totally saturated. People with 4 year degrees and 10 years of experience aren't finding work.
If at all possible, if you arw in such a jam that you have to change careers, you might want to reconsider your direction. Love of art is only a small part of graphic design. It isn't about Your Art. It's about communication and marketing.

As for that blank page feeling, don't sit in front of the computer and stare at it.
Walk away, sit elsewhere and sketch on paper for a while. At first just put down anything on that paper so it isn't blank. Then just keep doodling while keeping your mind semi-focused on what your project is about.

@ Red Kittie Kat

I agree with all those posts , believe me , i do think spec work disvalue the designer himself but im in a situation where i really have to hang myself on that branch , hopefully not for long ofc , i would preffer to win half the normal price of a project than to work on something unaware that we will actually be payed in the end , so i really am against it , but right now its my only option , im between the wall and the sword.

@ PrintDriver

I do realize of the overflowing of designers in the business and i see it everywhere on the web , but on my mind (naive maybe) i think there is plenty of work aswell , on all the areas , been web or app or print..
About the dont wander arround i do follow those steps when for example i am trying to do a logo , i always go do something else and as soon i have an idea i go note it down and so on , for for a print job for example , i put all the text into a blank page (so i know the body text i am holding) and when that step is down , its like i shut myself out and i have basic thinkings only and then i start thinking "i cant do this.." or "omg this looks like a kindergarden design" or "will someone really want this?" , its really like a fight with myself , i think im too judgmental and perfectionist even tho i am so so new at this , so my wish of do perfect makes me do poorly.

Welcome.

@ KitchWitch

Thanks mate

Welcome to the forum Da Silva Design.

@ jivehaze

Thanks

I ask for freelancers on GD to please share their stories of how they began , maybe their experiences can help out who is coming out of the egg still.

Also , is there any "groups" of designers that give shelter to such new comers by providing small projects or whatnot for a small comission of the job ? As if they were mentors, new ones would not only have a projects to start on and getting some earnings while the "mentors" would have a big assist and also getting their big cut , is there such thing ?

Thank you

Hi Da_Silva_Design!

Are you meaning an internship? There are internships out there. If you go down that track, be selective for who you intern for. Make sure the senior/mentor is someone you want to be working under.

Personally, I wouldn't give jobs to someone just starting out for a commission. Work is fairly scarce out there as it is. If I were to outsource anything to a freelancer or a contractor I would need someone that is 100% reliable and knows their stuff. A killer portfolio and real work experience would be mandatory. Can't risk losing a client due to inexperience of a freelancer or contractor. I'm sure even brokers or agencies would feel the same.

Hi Buda, i didnt meant a real outsource where all the work goes for the outsourcer and most of the earnings aswell , i mean more of an assistance on their jobs , even if just for a start up on it for example printing jobs, logo ideas and so on , thats why i meant a small comission , i know those 100% outsources most money goes to them , thats why designers only do it as last resort (mostly to dont lose the client if its a deadline close an they are too busy to acomplish) , but no , i mean more of a help to some people that would look forwards to help newcomer and in the end the work done by it would be payed accordingly of course , payment good or bad would depend on the skill/end product he delivers to the "mentor" , but yeah about outsourcing i already knew about , about what im saying maybe there isnt even such thing , i think im on my own.. ^^

What you're describing is out there. The printer I used to work for knew a few local freelancers and would send them jobs when the work got overwhelming. You're going to need a good portfolio before you try something like that though.

@ VDM

Ahh , a portfolio is something i dont even have yet , need to start saving up my jobs and maybe attempt my luck in those places somewhere in the future , thanks