Having a quick tidy of my desktop, i came across this article I wrote for my university newspaper, focussing around finding work in creative/design industries (in particular communication design), I thought it might be interesting to stick up on here -
"Finding a job whilst at university can be hard enough but the thought of finding a job after university has most of us breaking down in un-controllable tears - with no clear-cut choice of career ahead of anyone looking to work in design, never mind a definitive route to getting there, what can anyone do with a degree that is now less valuable than it was a generation ago? The Guardian recently published statistics demonstrating just how challenging it can be to get work; In the first year after graduation in 2009, design studies (varying from product design to illustration) graduates had one of the higher rates of graduation-to-employment in a field directly transferable from their degree at 35.4%.
That was last year though, that’s been and gone and things don’t appear to be getting any easier. I asked graphic designer Alan Ward of Manchester based Axis Graphic Design about his experience finding employment after graduating;
“I had the summer off and then got a freelance job working for The Design Works in Reading - before the summer holidays I'd shown them along with a few other companies local to Newport [Where he graduated as a Graphic Design BA] my portfolio, those were the days when it was a little easier to get jobs, in fact I was offered a job at each interview in Wales but I turned them down and loaned my portfolio to The Design Works so a partner of the company could also see my work.”
Alan began working freelance for The Design Works on what he describes as “a brilliant apprenticeship”. This experience later turned out to be invaluable as he goes on to explain,
“When I moved to Manchester I set up as a sole trader and based my business model on The Design Works, we became a Ltd company as we grew in turnover. We built up a client base by word of mouth and reputation in the arts field to where we are today.”
“It’s not what you know…” is an upsettingly recurring phrase when looking for work in the creative industries. The idea of “reputation” is a theme Ben Blackall, a Manchester based Photographer touched upon when I spoke to him,
“I’ve tried advertising and leaving business cards/flyers at events etc but I don’t think it’s ever really paid off. I’ve asked existing clients if they have any contacts that they think are worth pursuing and at least then you aren’t cold-calling, you can mention a mutual acquaintance and that’s a big help.”
When I spoke to him, Alan had mentioned a similar idea
“Advertising has never really worked for us, its all about networking at gallery openings, staying in contact with artists and developing long term relationships.”
Once you’ve found an opportunity for work though, you need a strong portfolio to support you. Ben told me “I offered to work for expenses only when I first started out in order to gain experience and to demonstrate what I could do. It was a good way of meeting the people who were commissioning photography and it meant that I was able to get work printed which I could then show to prospective clients. Nobody wants to be the first person to hire a photographer so they feel reassured by seeing a portfolio of work commissioned by others.”
Alan’s closing words to me echoed Ben’s idea of an employer having confidence in your ability, “It is currently a very difficult time for new graduates, we get dozens of C.Vs and enquiries every month, some so unfocused that they won't get read properly or replied to. Whenever you apply to a company it is essential you are completely clear as to why [you have chosen] that organisation, know about their work, refer to specific projects and then really impress with a dedicated PDF portfolio tailored to them. Check grammar and spelling carefully, if there are lots of typos in the application we would not consider you even if the work looked great.”
Talking to Alan and Ben showed that there isn’t a set formula for finding creative work and that it really is up to you. Having the best portfolio you can is obvious but the ability to network with employers or clients, follow up leads and go the extra mile to find work seems key and a real skill worth developing."
Axis Graphic Design
Ben Blackall
Huddersfield Student
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