So I'm thinking of looking for a new job, and graphic designer came to mind...

[ghostsofgiants]

For obvious reasons, I would think. Lots of peoplehave been encouraging me to do so. Problem is, there is only one graphic design job listed in the area that I can find, and it wants "Completion of college/CEGEP/vocational or technical training" which I don't have.

Is it worth my time to even apply?

[datasuspect]

1. do you know anything about prepress?

if you can make files print ready or fix some of the crap that designers send so it can be made ready for print, you can probably find something with a printing house.

otherwise, what about offering your skills directly to potential clients?

just look around at other local companies' websites and find a niche. sometimes it's good to focus on small to medium sized businesses.

most of the small business owners in many areas are veritable technophobes. get a good spiel and network.

[ghostsofgiants]

2. Yeah, I do know about prepress and things of the sort.

Offering my services directly might work as well, I'll look into that, too.

I just wanna get the fuck out of here and maybe do something semi-creative.

[DS1]

3. an online portfolio would be a good, cheap start

[ghostsofgiants]

6. Yeah, I've been "working on that" for a while, haha.

Suppose that's motivation to finish it up, haha.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. DO it!

If nothing else comes of it, you will have some in on how the process works, peoples' names, a place to check in with every so often since they will have your resume on file, and any other input new to you.

Go for it!

You won't know what makes it worth it until you do it. :hi:

[ghostsofgiants]

8. Very true.

Thanks. :)

[Ysabel]

5. yes i think very much worth it...

my dad has a degree in graphic design (he has other degrees as well) he worked all his life at the university of illinois (he's retired now) he encouraged me about 25 years ago to also get a degree in graphic design i ignored him i wished later on that i hadn't ignored him (he can be just a bit pushy and that's why i ignored him / i'm stubborn / very independent) there are many jobs within universities that aren't necessarily advertised my dad moved around several different departments over the years (about 3 times over the course of 30 plus years i don't mean to imply that he was tossed about) anyway the hiring was done often from within...

[ghostsofgiants]

7. Thing is, I don't have any formal graphic design training.

I'm good at it, I just don't have a degree or diploma or anything. (I'm going to university for political science, haha.) I just think design would be a good way to go because I enjoy it and like I said, I'm pretty good at it, haha.

[Ysabel]

9. hmmm perhaps combine the two i think that would be really great... :)

[ghostsofgiants]

10. Haha, I actually have some ideas of the sort.

I just need to wait for my new computer because my current computer probably can't handle animation, and it's an animation project I have in mind.

Should be fun though. It's gonna be a collaboration with a friend of mine.

[Ysabel]

14. oh i just realised i missread your original post...

i thought you were asking if you should get a degree in graphic design (but you meant should you apply for a job) well anyway yes yes yes go for it (!) go for it all hahaha... :D

[ghostsofgiants]

16. Haha, well that makes your original reply less confusing.

:P

[Ysabel]

17. hahaha hey i've been to st. johns...

i just looked at your stuff on deviant too (i love that site) i also love your stuff it's real nice...

:)

[ghostsofgiants]

18. Cool, why were you up here?

And thanks. :) I haven't uploaded anything in ages, I've been too busy splitting my time between this shit job and sleeping, haah.

[Ysabel]

20. it was a looooooong time ago um...

let's see i think it was 1970 or 1971 my grandparents took me up there they always made me wear shoes everywhere (that annoyed me hahaha they also purchased a horrible pair of thongs / flip-flops for me with a big goofy flower on top) i thought st. johns was real pretty i was allowed to go barefoot on a beach along the coast tho where we camped...

- you're welcome it all looks great... :)

[ghostsofgiants]

21. Haha, I see.

Sounds like a pretty fun memory. :)

[Ysabel]

23. yep they were fun grandparents...

- nice talking with you and good luck / see ya later... :)

[rucky]

11. The Pentagon is looking for Photoshoppers. n/t

[ghostsofgiants]

13. Pfftt, move to Canada's pants? Fuck that.

[Chan790]

12. I know quite a few people in this field (some advice)...

Many large companies have need of and hire graphic design people, but don't advertise outside of normal company channels. Starbucks, for example, employs a few hundred graphic designers and is constantly hiring...but doesn't advertise outside the company website. Ever. McDonald's employs over 1,000 and doesn't advertise openings at-all. Aetna (an global-insurance company) only advertises on their own website or at campus-recruiting-fairs at art schools.

Try the NPO sites...again the problem is silo-effect...they only advertise within the NPO community. I found 15 open positions local (to me) for artists in that sector in a very-perfunctory search. Most had been open for months due to lack-of-applicants.

If you're talking about computer-graphic-art as opposed to hard-copy art...most of the people I know in that specific sub-field work from home or online...many are hundreds or thousands of miles from their employer even.

The point I guess is...expand your search, the jobs are always there if you have talent; which you do. Jobs outpace professional-quality artists (and nobody knows it...it makes me wish I had talent.)

Oh...and yes, apply anyways...that is used often as a screen to weed out the people with no talent who think they can do the work anyways. Almost always, a link to your portfolio (or sample images in hard-copy) will get you past that point if you have the talent they're looking for. Art is one of the few fields where talent always trumps academic-qualification.

[ghostsofgiants]

15. Thanks for that.

Sounds like worthwhile advice. :D

[datasuspect]

19. that's really good advice

[graywarrior]

22. I know someone who works for Disney

She lives in VT and never leaves her house. Go here for their listings.

http://jobsearch.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=jobsearch&cdn=careers&tm=11&gps=311_367_1020_562&f=21&su=p504.1.336.ip_&tt=11&bt=1&bts=1&zu=https%3A//disney.recruitmax.com//main/careerportal/default.cfm%3FszCareerPortalID%3D150%26szUniqueCareerPortalID%3Dd806a3ad-06f5-4622-b614-74475b752e8e

[Ysabel]

24. well of all things (coincidence) i should add to this / was just about to go do something else...

my grandfather (mentioned above in this thread) worked for disney he was an architect he worked on the design of cinderella's castle...

- later...

:hi: