Visual Communication
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resources :: calendar :: what you need :: jobs + salary calculator :: senior show :: tips "A portfolio is a design problem."
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:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :: pdf :: Get a nice little email-able (try to keep it under 2MB) PDF with your resume as page 1 put together. These things can get emailed and passed around really quickly and spark some interest. Make sure you include some good, short explanations so people know what they are looking at and why. More often than not, people will ask you for this first to get a taste of your work, so have it ready to go. :: AIGA :: If you aren't a member of AIGA, become one, and post your portfolio on there. It's the next best thing to having a web site if you don't. When I graduated I got some good freelance work out of it and a lot of good contacts and feedback on my work :: Portfolio :: there are many schools of thought on this... My suggestion is to not be gimmicky. The work inside your portfolio showcases your creativity, the portfolio is just the holder. It should almost be invisible–clean and well put together however you do it. Make it something that can evolve and change–avoid hard binding a book if possible. You want to be able to change the order of "pages" if needed and let people hold and look closely with ease. This doesn't mean you can't design it (you should design it)–just be ready to explain why. Also, think of what you’ll carry it around in. Again, it’s the whole package, so don’t carry it around in a crappy backpack. :: Portfolio Size :: again, many schools of thought. Most entry-level designers have bigger books. Once you start working, you are generally trying to be stealthy when you go on an interview, so the book becomes something small enough to fit in a purse or bag. (That, at least, has been my experience). The truth is that everything looks great small. Most people want to see detail and typography from a recent grad, so I’d say don’t make it too small, but there isn’t really a need to make it 18x24. And the truth is that huge portfolios are a pain to lug around this city (especially in heels). * Though your portfolio is not necessarily the place for super conceptual ideas, a teaser piece definitely can be and I recommend doing one. This should be something small that you send the top people you are interested in to tell them a little about you, show them your resume and a little taste of your work. In my experience, this has made a big difference and is a great way to separate yourself from the crowd and get an interview. * include your resume somehow * include a cover letter saying that you want to work for them and why. And that you will be getting in touch week of X-X to set up an interview. * include just a few samples (3-4 max) of your work (these can be the same as your PDF) that show a wide range of styles * this is a good place to showcase something more about yourself. For instance, if you are a great writer, tell a story. If you like to letterpress, do some notecards or a poster. If you silkscreen, design a t-shirt...etc. Be creative but, again, be ready to explain why. * make sure your info is on there. name, email, phone number, url. * don't forget to design the packaging, mailing label, etc. Everything is judged! ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 1. Do some research and figure out what kinds of places you are interested in. Big or small, advertising/marketing/or design, in-house, etc. I'd be happy to shed some light on the differences and I'm sure Andrea could do so as well. 2. Once you have a pretty good idea, pick out your top places: I'd say really focus on a top 5 or so–any more can get tricky to keep track of at once. (I personally like to job search in waves of 5. If the first 5 don't pan out, you just get another 5 going). Learn everything you can about them. I suggest google and Crain's chicago business as quick searches (http://chicagobusiness.com/). For larger agencies, you can usually score some articles on Crains. 3. Find out the roster there as best you can: who is in charge of creative recruiting, who will interview you, who you’d work directly with, who the head honcho is, etc. Depending on the place, this could all be the same person or 5 different departments. 4. Send out your stuff. Because those teaser kits are generally like little pieces of gold, I’d send it to the creative director or designer before HR. 5. Give it a week, then call. No response…then give it a few more days and email. Still no response? Give it a week and get in touch again. Be Persistent. Even if they are not hiring, insist that you do even a short interview, or a portfolio drop off. Something that gets you face time. They are getting your messages and emails-they are just swamped with work and probably other portfolios as well. Use good judgment. If it’s a place you are dying to work, send them something cool that they can’t ignore. If that doesn’t work… * try out a creative recruiter: I would recommend Artisan up here (contact Liz Dierbeck liz@artisantalent.com) or Creative Circle (http://www.creativecircle.com) I have a good friend who works at Creative Circle, so let me know if you are interested and I’ll put in a good word. These are mostly good for getting freelance work and don’t have necessarily “high-profile” design jobs, but they will get you some interview practice and you never know… * post your resume on Monster. I know it sounds a little counter-productive but it is actually how I found my current job, crazily enough. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: * PREPARE! Practice talking through your portfolio as many times as possible. Go on lots of interviews-even if you are not interested in the position. The more you practice, the less nervous you will be, the more your personality will show through when it is the real deal. Creative recruiters, friends and teachers are great to start with. (If you are in Chicago, give me a call and I’d be happy to do a practice run with you.) *Be on time (duh, but make sure you are) * take cabs so you aren’t sweaty/windblown/frozen when you get there. If it is far out or in an obscure place, bring mapquest directions with you to show the cabbie in case he/she doesn’t know how to get there. * unless you are interviewing for an in-house position at a law firm or something comparable, there’s no need to wear a suit. You will actually look experienced if you show up in a suit. Show a little funk, but err on the side of professional. You can never go wrong in all black and brightly colored accessories. * make sure you have water nearby during the interview. All that talking can give you a dry throat and it is embarrassing to be all dry throaty and coughing while trying to explain stuff. * be yourself * If you sincerely want the job, ask for it at the end of the interview. Say you really love the company and think you’d be a great fit there and that you’d really like to work there. Ask if there is anything that would prevent you from doing a good job in their opinion. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: * Wait until after you know they’ve received your thank you to get back in touch. If they haven’t contacted you after 3-4 days after getting it, then just call to thank them again and ask if there is anything more you can do to help your chances. * Hiring processes can sometimes take forever, so be patient. Often companies will tell you to let them know if you receive another offer and will ask you what your time frame is. This buys them a little time. * Don’t stop your search until you have received a written offer. Even after a great interview, keep your momentum going until you are officially off the market. You will be less likely to get bummed out when things don’t turn out the way you hope if you already have other things in the works. * Be prepared to search for a few months. They say it takes 1 month for every $10,000 you want to make. * The ball is always in your court. Keep in touch and make phone calls first before emails. It is more personal. Be persistent. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: * make extras, make extras, make extras. Always have extra stuff ready to go. You never know when you’ll make a connection or hear of an awesome job opening and it pays to be ahead of the game. * never keep your portfolio and a bottle of water in the same bag (I learned this lesson the HARD way) In fact, keep nothing in the same bag if possible. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Liska+Associates http://www.liska.com/ I also have interviewed with a lot of other places and can offer insight…
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