26 replies to this topic

[sheree&the-gt]

I need a bit of help!

Just wondered if we've got any designer on here who have worked up through work, rather than uni. Just need some advice really!

PM me / post here

[Amy]

My Mum and brother-in-law are both graphic designers, and I'm sorry to say it, but you generally lose out to people with Uni degrees.

Mum can't get any work at all now, as she's not completely up to date on computer aided design, thats after 30 years experince in the trade. To quote some work you've probably all seen - She drew hundreds of 'exploded views' of engines for Haynes, including some minis!

Mark found it really tough getting back into a job after only one year out abroad..... He has 10 years experience in extremely high places and all the qualifications he could get. He has now found work with a small design agency locally, but London wouldn't take him back as they get students pouring out of Uni every day looking for work...


Having said that, I know that Matt (The Matt) on here has worked his way up in a graphics based job, having started without the qualifications he would normally have needed.... drop him a PM if he doesn't see this thread

[sheree&the-gt]

thanks for the advice Amy .... we'll see how I go. I've got a couple fo career avenues I'd like to do, but they're all in the first steps at present!

[sherly]

I'm in a design based job - product designer/design engineer rather than graphic design and I managed to get to where I am without going to Uni. I didn't take a particularly conventional route though - I had a few lucky breaks and on occasion was in the right place at the right time.

I completed an apprenticeship at Lotus Engineering and was one of 8 apprentices earmarked for a design apprenticeship (i.e. ending up in the design office rather than as a technician). I completed the apprenticeship, spent 3 years in the powertrain design office until getting made redundant.

Whilst looking for jobs I came across a small product design consultancy in Essex who were after an additional member for their team and I got the job!

I think I got lucky really as it seems to be quite difficult to get into the industry - the majority of design consultancies seem to be no bigger than 3 or 4 people (whether this is the case for graphic design I'm not sure) so there never seems to be a large turnover of people. We certainly get a lot of CV's through our door from graduates asking for jobs or students asking for work experience.

As to whether you should go to Uni - It's a difficult one to call. I've seen CVs from people who have been to uni and they look great but they have no experience, I've seen some which are really poor and I've seen some fantastic CVs from people who have worked up through their jobs and they have developed some amazing skills.

Mart

[sheree&the-gt]

i'm sure i've seen a few more of you lot on here with graphics experience!

[mini_lover]

Hiya

I hesitated to reply as I thought you only wanted to hear from people who got into the business without going Uni/College.

I left school with a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do as a job and I knew it had to involve creativity. Anyway I ended up going to College to do a ND in Graphic Design which I really enjoyed and so the natural progression from this was onto a Uni course, which I graduated from in Summer 2006 (BA (hons) Graphic Design)

Since then I have had two jobs within Graphic Design, the first being, my foot in the door job at a Digital printing and graphic design company in Blackburn and as of Januray 2008 I work in Manchester as a Graphic Designer for a well established printing (and design) company which I really enjoy. The company is constantly expanding and evolving so hopefully can only go on to bigger and better things.

I think people get slightly confused between Graphic Design and Artworking. Graphic Design is about thoughts and concepts and basically having good ideas, its not nesseccarly about how well you can use mac programs (though this obv is needed for the job) Artworking is more 'making things look pretty' without any reasoning or thought process.

So I guess it depends on what you want to do really. From my experience I think companies do like Graphic Design Graduates as generally speaking, they are fresh out of Uni and raring to go, so from the companies point of view, they get fresh idea's and enthusiam for a smaller price tag than a senior designer. If you can use your mac programs literally inside out and want to be an Artworker, then id say that was easier to get into without qualifications.

Only my opinion, others may disagree Hope it helps

Jo

xx

Edit: spelling

Edited by mini_lover, 11 March 2008 - 12:47 PM.

[roofless]

Graphic designers more so than most design roles really do need to have solid porfolio of work, not only privately held but also active work - stuff you have managed to sell commercially.

You could work your way up through a firm but I cant help feel that 3 years at uni would get further up the ladder. You could also freelance during those 3 years to get a more commercially aware portfolio, and earn a few bob.

[BJst416]

Regardless of what path you choose to develop your career as a graphic designer, NEVER EVER CONSIDER NOT FINISHING SCHOOL.

And as roofless said, you can freelance while your going to school and this will build up your portfolio.
I paid for uni freelancing (and bartending) and it worked out perfectly.

One more thing, always try to keep up to date with technology, i can't tell you how many of the people i went to school with decided to play the "i got my title so i don't need to learn anything else" and you see them now turning down jobs because the can't do what the client wants.

Now let that creativity flow

[sheree&the-gt]

yeah I know. I couldn't stay on as I moved house, and had to live on my own so I had to get a full time job. Its just a case of getting back into it now...

[analogue_radio]

I'm still a young'en!

Currently doing a BTEC National Diploma at Leicester College, I'm only 17 .
I'll finish this course next year and then hopefully I'll move onto a HND in Graphic Design, possibly University after that.

[minimarco]

at the place i work, i see a lot of design portfolios and resumes.

university degrees mean nothing really. but it would mean something if its an all out art school and they teach nothing else. but we hate artsy fartsy people.
all that don't matter as long as you have a good portfolio.
i have friends who got a job with no experience, and no college mumbo jumbo but only with a good portfolio
and we've threw away resumes with 4 year art school degrees because they have crappy work

a lot of times people thinks art school is the easier route than going through "proper" university maths and sciences (im not saying you are by the way)
and they slack off and end up with a half assed final project and portfolio....we don't hire those

then there are talentless (its a bit mean, but thats how it is) but eager and hardworking people with solid portfolios
and we do keep in touch with those and hire a few

and the talented bunch who gets it easy and lands their jobs with a blogspot page.

oh and schools... a lot of times they hire teachers who work in the industry and have big names to attract students, but they don't know how to teach at all. so choosing a school is important.
i think its better to pay more for a specialized art school than a public university too because they have specific contacts and stuff.

so yea.... good portfolio and you MUST be a hard worker..must..must..must

Edited by minimarco, 11 March 2008 - 10:01 PM.

[Wippet]

Hi I do Artwork and a bit but not so much graphic design for a print company for about 2 years.
We work on Macs using Adobe Creative suit and Quark.

I left college and straight into work. I got a job as an artworker which is preparing jobs for press which I would recommend as it gives you a good grounding in the industry and covers all the basics. Also it lets you know what the limits of print are as its no good designing something that looks wonderful on screen but wont print well.

Thats print anyway you may want to do web design.
Any questions fire away!

Edited by Wippet, 11 March 2008 - 11:12 PM.

[sheree&the-gt]

well I work in telesales for my local newspaper so I know a bit about the industry. We'll see.

I know, MUST, MUST, MUST

I have to say all your advice has been very helpful!

[tomkidd]

Im a graphic designer and my Creative Director worked his way up from doing ads in the back of newspapers, now he owns his own company.
I really dont think qualifications matter at all in the design world. If your portfolio is good enough then thats all that matters.
I havent got a degree.

I work here by the way http://www.wash-design.co.uk

[analogue_radio]

Some really nice work on there Tom!

This is the company my Dad works for,
http://www.checklandkindleysides.com/
He isn't a designer unfortunately Just the Head Accountant, they've designed for Boots, Bentley, Levis, Thomas Cook, Thornton and so many more, think there is a list on there somewhere..

My work experience there was really amazing, I spent a week on my own mini-project and learnt so many things, have you considered work experience?