Expert: LizaL - 5/10/2006

Question
Dear Respected Sir,

I wanted a question ?

Yes I become a Graphic Designer

I have completed Graphic Design Course (PHOTOSHOP , CORELDRAW, QUARKXPRESS , PAGEMAKER. ILLUSTRATOR) and now I wanted to make my career in Advertising Agency or Publication.

Please suggested me ,

I am totally fresher so please tell me how can do the entry in  Advertising Agency or Publication.

and how improve skills and think professionally.

Give me some importent tips about designing.

Answer
Hi Neetu,

Congratulations on completing your courses!

What I would suggest to you is to get as much hands-on experience as possible, and since you're just starting out, don't worry if your first job isn't the one you think you'll want for a lifetime. In other words, don't be afraid to take an entry-level position and work your way up. The important thing in working in the graphic design field is to learn all you can about your new job -- and get as much experience as you can. Technology is changing all the time, especially in advertising, and you need to keep aware of these changes. This also means staying abreast of all the changes in software. You've taken some good classes in some good software packages, so make sure you stay on top of all the upgrades.

If you took your course(s) at a school or college, speak to your instructor or a guidance counselor and see if your school offers a cooperative learning program. In a co-op program, you would work at an entry-level job -- such as working at a newspaper, a print shop, ad agency, etc. -- and learn the work firsthand, as a temporary employee. It might not pay much, but it would be well worth the experience.

Having a career objective is very important. If you're just starting out, it might not be immediately clear to you exactly what you want to do -- that is, you might want to be an illustrator, rather than a magazine designer. But you might not know this right away, so that's why it's good to work at some sort of entry-level job where you might do a variety of things, rather than work in just one software package, for instance. It's always good to get as much exposure to different facets of the field, so you can narrow things down for your career goals.

I've always advised my students to try and get a job at a newspaper, for their first job. Working as a graphic artist at a newspaper is usually always a busy job, and you'll get used to working on a deadline in a hurry -- which is a big part of being a graphic designer.

Whether or not you'd qualify for a co-op job through a school, one of the most important things you should do is put together a good portfolio. You should have either 35mm slides (made from photographs of your work) or good, printed copies of your work that you can take to an interview. Make this your strongest work, and put your best pieces in the front. I encourage students to have both printed copies of their work to show an employer, in person, and slides to send to ads they're responding to.

You'll also need to write a complete resume. List your skills and experience, and also your career objective.

Also write a cover letter. If you don't have a lot of experience, you can say so, in the cover letter, and also indicate your intent and willingness to learn.

Search your local newspaper's classified ads for companies listing jobs you think you qualify for, and would like. Send your resume and cover letter to these places.

You can also go to places online for job listings such as Monster.com:
http://www.monster.com/

Most of all, don't be afraid to start small, and work your way up. It can take years to be an accomplished designer, and lots of hard work.

You ask for some important tips about designing -- well, everything I've said could qualify as a good tip in getting a job. If you want a more specific answer, please post back -- I'm not sure what you mean by "important tips!" I've taught graphic design for years, and can help you if you're looking for a specific answer. But there is no one perfect "tip." Being a designer takes, I think, an inherent eye for design, as well as a willingness to work very hard and learn as much as you can from those who are more experienced, and keep on learning.

Best of luck to you,

Lisa