Trying to Market Myself: Tips?

[LuvataciousSkull]

Hey everyone. I'm trying to get a new job in the graphic design field and decided that along with just posting my resume on Craigslist.org, I should post some new images:





Thoughts, comments, and crits welcomed, accepted, and needed.

[Calloway]

Show a little skin.


Oh the ads?

Yeah, this is more up my alley

The fonts...something rubs me the wrong way about them and I am not feeling the background on the first page.

There is nothing that grabs me about these ads, in fact I'd be more apt to ignore them. The second one is way too chaotic. Eyes go all over that page.

Hope that helps.

[LuvataciousSkull]

Thanks. I just need some advice on improving them, then. I'm trying to keep them fairly simple, but still interesting....

[Calloway]

try a shape them on simple white background.

like circles, or squares or triangles.

that font would look great as black on white.

[Kody]

CraigsList? Seriously?

I'd strongly suggest sending resumes to advertising agencies and design studios with a cover letter requesting a portfolio review. Maybe try to find info on the local advertising clubs in your area, specifically AIGA and AAF and get to those meetings to meet some people in the creative industry.

I can pretty much guarantee you Art Directors and Senior Designers are not on CraigsList looking for designers.

[Calloway]

Originally Posted by Kody

CraigsList? Seriously?

I'd strongly suggest sending resumes to advertising agencies and design studios with a cover letter requesting a portfolio review. Maybe try to find info on the local advertising clubs in your area, specifically AIGA and AAF and get to those meetings to meet some people in the creative industry.

I can pretty much guarantee you Art Directors and Senior Designers are not on CraigsList looking for designers.

um....

[LuvataciousSkull]

Originally Posted by Kody

CraigsList? Seriously?

I'd strongly suggest sending resumes to advertising agencies and design studios with a cover letter requesting a portfolio review. Maybe try to find info on the local advertising clubs in your area, specifically AIGA and AAF and get to those meetings to meet some people in the creative industry.

I can pretty much guarantee you Art Directors and Senior Designers are not on CraigsList looking for designers.

You would be amazed how many art directors are looking on Craigslist. That Miskeen Originals job I almost got was through there. Plus, the problem now is that I can't exactly wait a few weeks or months for a new job, I need something to happen now. That root normally takes forever and your lucky if they're hiring.

[LuvataciousSkull]

OK, concept #3:

[Kody]

Originally Posted by LuvataciousSkull

You would be amazed how many art directors are looking on Craigslist. That Miskeen Originals job I almost got was through there. Plus, the problem now is that I can't exactly wait a few weeks or months for a new job, I need something to happen now. That root normally takes forever and your lucky if they're hiring.

Well sure, it's possible to get lucky on CraigsList, MySpace or any of the online job hunting sites like Monster, etc. But I'd say those are probably a last resort considering the advertising and design communities are incredibly social and are far more likely to pull talent from their network of peers than randomly online.

You may be considered from a CraigsList resume, but only AFTER they've looked at any and all resumes they've received or recent portfolio reviews they've done, then they'll look to their peer group and their professional network community, and eventually, online job hunting sites. So sure, you can be considered, but at the very end of the food chain.

[Calloway]

Kody I think you maybe thinking long term job and he's thinking freelance. Bands always look for a person to design their cd for instance but not a lifetime commitment.


Design 3 looks well enough but it reminds me of a bumper sticker.

[LuvataciousSkull]

That seems to be the way it was with Miskeen. I think I applied to it in December and didn't hear back until about 2 weeks ago. I've also had people wait a good 2 - 4 weeks to even get back to me, if ever, after responding to an ad.

The problem is trying to even get a chance to break in anywhere. I had an in with one of the companies you mentioned, but that was 4 years ago and wound up falling through.

[Kody]

Originally Posted by LilGreenMan

Kody I think you maybe thinking long term job and he's thinking freelance. Bands always look for a person to design their cd for instance but not a lifetime commitment.

Sure, freelance is a whole different deal.

But to me, "I'm trying to get a new job in the graphic design field" doesn't mean freelance, that means employment in the field.

As for the promo work, I's suggest showing a more diversified range rather than just the grungy flyer stuff. Show a couple of logos, some brochures, etc. Drop the text way down and really focus on the work, that's what people care about. More sample work, less (or smaller) text.

And it looks like you're using Title Caps on all the text, so "Displays" would need to be capitalized in the first image.

[LuvataciousSkull]

Nail on the head, Kody, I need a full-time job in design now. If I spend anymore time in retail, I'm liable to go insane. I've gotten a few freelance clients, but I need something secure now.

Here's Ad #4:

[L Jamal]

"Designers" is spelled wrong in the most recent one.
To me these all say, "I'm a freelancer looking for a gig" not hire me for a full time gig.

I would say put together a solid portfolio of various designs and hit up local ad agencies.

[Kody]

Originally Posted by LuvataciousSkull

Nail on the head, Kody, I need a full-time job in design now. If I spend anymore time in retail, I'm liable to go insane. I've gotten a few freelance clients, but I need something secure now.

Here's Ad #4:

If you are in fact looking for full time agency or studio work, I think you've really got to rework your portfolio. You don't have nearly enough professional level design work to be considered by an agency or studio. Some of the illustration stuff is interesting, but for the most part the design work is trendy and has a "student work" look to it. Some of it looks a lot rougher and older than the rest, so dump that stuff completely or rework it. Focus on showing 12 to 20 solid design pieces and drop everything else. You should have at least 4 or 5 great logos, and a variety of other print and web work like newspaper ads, posters, packaging, etc. On the websites, I'd really suggest dropping the browser shell and just show the page.

The trick is to stick with design fundamentals instead of "style." They're going to want to see clean logos, solid color theory, professional typography (no grunge fonts), top notch alignment, etc.

And I'd also suggest completely splitting your illustration work from your design work. An agency is going to be far less interested in your illustrations and it could just be distracting .They're going to want to know that you can design a great black and white newspaper ad and an interesting brochure for a small business. That's the sort of stuff they do everyday, so they want to know you can handle it.

And believe me, it's far tougher to create a great design for a boring client than it is to create a great design for an interesting client. So show them that you can.