Mariko Design

How to Get a Job as a Graphic Designer

admin — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:25:35 +0000

Just the other day I received a question on Twitter from Adam at Design4Love:

“Hi.. how are you? Do you have any tips for me how to get into the UK design industry (Other than sending applications to agencies). Thanks!”

Which got me thinking about how difficult it was for me and some of the fellow graphic design students I studied with to get a job in the design industry back in 1999 (yes that long ago!) straight out of design college. I snapped up a job with a Central London design agency in Soho within 2 weeks of leaving college but looking back it wasn’t really the right job for me then. Though just 13 months later I changed positions and worked for a great design agency based in London Bridge and learned a huge amount as well as working on lots of different types of projects as a designer.

Anyway competition was fierce then BUT the amount of graphic design and other design courses available in art colleges and universities up and down the college has grown hugely since then.

So here are a few tips on (like Adam asked) “how to get into the UK Design industry”

The Portfolio:

Having a great design portfolio is a must. To be honest your design portfolio is the most important thing on this list, its what you’ll mainly be judged on. It must be well presented and include at least 6 or more design projects. Think about the kind of work the agency your applying to does and try to tailor your portfolio towards that. For example if they specialise in corporate identity and branding work try to include work of this kind.

Be ready to talk about your design work, what inspired you, why you approached the project in the way you did, even choice of typeface, colours, imagery etc. Show them some of your sketchs and development work, some agencies what to see your scribbles more than the finished work as it shows your design process and how you think!

Before taking your portfolio along to job interviews, make sure you show it to a people (tutors, other design students) talk them through it, get them to ask you questions about your design work and respond with suitable answers. This will get you used to talking people through your portfolio, making you a more prepared for the interview.

Work Experience:

Offer to do some work experience with a design company who’s work you really admire (for free if you have to!), even if its just a week then spend that week wowing them, making the tea, producing great work, take an interest in everything relating to that design company. It is a good way to get your foot in the door but also don’t be too pushy or cocky, you might think your a great designer but remember there is a big difference between design college and the real world!

If the company really like you during your work experience they might offer you a full time job!

Finding Work:

Send your portfolio as a PDF etc to as many design companies (that your interested in) as possible, then after a few days give them a quick call to check they have received it.

Another alternative and one that worked for me is to approach a design recruitment agency. I contacted Major Players (there are many others!) when looking for a new graphic design position. They interviewed me and I took them through my portfolio and skills set, based on this they then contacted me when suitable jobs became available. This worked very well as they got me a new job within 2 weeks.

Dress code:

There isn’t one as such. Wear what your comfortable in but also look like you have made some sort of effort! That said I wouldn’t recommend turning up in a suit! Remember what you wear can be seen as a reflection of yourself and your design style or preferences.

Behaviour:

Be yourself, be calm and open to discussing your work and the work of the design agency. Remember to ask questions about what work they produce and what your role would be. One thing I found useful was to ask if someone could take you around the studio, afterall that is where you’ll be working if you get the job and you need to see what sort of environment you’ll be working in. It also easier to ask questions as you move around and see how they work.

Research:

Remember to do some research on the company that is interviewing you, as they are likely to ask you what made you apply for a job with them, what sort of work do they produce, what awards have they won (if any), why do you want to work for them in particular?

Keep trying:

Above all keep trying and keep looking at ways to improve your portfolio. If you go for an interview and they don’t give you a job, don’t worry, your work just might not be suitable for that particular design agency.

So hope this has helped, good luck!

Rent Prom Dresses Cheap at Closet Elite!

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 05:05:25 +0000

Finally—Rent Prom Dresses at www.closetelite.com !

It is truly astonishing that no business has snatched up this idea before. For decades now, girls have been spending hundreds of dollars on a dress they know they’ll only wear once. Prom is one of those once-in-a-lifetime memories where every girl deserves to dress like a princess and look her best, but is stuck with the dilemma of how much she should spend on a dress she knows she won’t wear again. The solution for their dates has been easy—they rent a tux, return it, and barely dent their wallets. But for girls, prom has always been a big financial burden.

Now a company called Closet Elite (www.closetelite.com) rents prom dresses for around $50—even less than the rental price of a lot of tuxes. The entire store is online—like Netflix for dresses! Choose a dress, get is shipped to your door, and ship it back. They carry brand names, the latest styles, and a great variety. They even have insurance policies on the dresses so that you don’t have to be petrified of ruining your dress all night!

Not only is Closet Elite the first company to do prom dress rentals, but they actually rent cocktail and holiday dresses too. Basically any time you have a wedding, special event, or even a hot date, you can rent a designer dress. They carry latest-season dresses from designers like Versace, Betsey Johnson, Dolce and Gabbana, Chloe, Bebe and more. And at seriously affordable prices! You can’t afford not to check this out….Carrie Bradshaw would have a heart attack if she knew about this!

www.closetelite.com

Seven Designer Kids’ Clothes Your Girl Cannot Be Without

admin — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 01:23:01 +0000

Are you scratching your head for what fashion items to buy the most important little girl in the world? When it comes to children clothes for girls, there is so much to choose from. Of course you should always consider her personality and attitude when choosing designer kids’ clothes for her, but there are a few pieces that no fashionista, no matter her age, can be without!

Respectable denims, such as the Joes Jeans Dark Wash Rockstar Jeans, are must-have items in any girl wardrobe. This season you should choose a darker cut to combine with floral prints on her top, or bright block colors of her 1980’s inspired, cool girl clothes. For the little lady who loves to sparkle a bit more, choose the Aristabrat London Dark Indigo Denim Jeans – accented with 382 gem-like blue zircon crystals and gold embroideries, designer kids clothes like these are luxury treats for any princess.

Versatile dresses, like the Misha Lulu Herringbone Dress or the Kaos Recycled Lucky Charms Long Sleeve Babydoll Dress are great examples of playful kids dresses that can work for a casual outing with the family, as well as for more glamorous birthday parties – it is all in how you accessorize (like every smart girl knows).

Comfy hoodie sweatshirts, from a quality label should always be in a comfortable set of basic necessities for a girl. The soft Little Lovelies Couture Purple Velour Baby Doll Hoodie Sweatshirt (also available in other colors) is a cozy option, while the Christian Audigier Kids Charcoal Pink Madonna Hoodie will make her look and feel like a celebrity wherever she goes. The comfy hoodie is a must when shopping for designer kids clothes for her, any season – not just this one.

Leggings are another piece of clothing she will need for her dresses, her long shirts and t-shirts – and anything else really. Choose a stylish yet soft pair that will work with a variety of outfits, such as the Crib Rock Couture Black Calf Length Clam Diggers or any pair of leggings from Misha Lulu, Moppit or Ooh La La.

Cool t-shirts to go with her denims or with her leggings are a must for her wardrobe. Go through designer kids clothes collections such as Christian Audigier Kids, Misha Lulu and Kids Ink and you will find playful, fashionable t-shirts that she can be herself in any day.

Hip baby or girl shoes, depending on her age of course, will pull her outfit together in a stylish way. For the really young girl, a pair of Heathers Treasure Box Pink High Top Sneakers are excellent for causal days while some fun Heelarious Sophie Pink Satin Infant High Heels complement cool baby clothes really well. The slightly older girl should consider some of the really cute sandals – they’ll make a real impression when combined with edgier designer kids clothes this spring!

Accessories and hats complete any unique baby clothes or children clothes outfit. Consider how some sparkling, luxurious accessories can turn any casual outfit into runway worthy, trendy baby clothes – for example, the glittering Aristabrat Guardian Angel Swarovski Crystal Pacifier can make her relaxed-fit sweats or denims look a million dollars. Or, pair some of her more over-the-top items with a pair of Moppit Pink Polka Dot Footless Tights and achieve that cozy, kid-friendly look and feel.

When in search for these crucial designer kids’ clothes items, browse children’s boutiques that specialize in the kind of hip, trendy baby couture your girl deserves. For example, children fashion gurus R&S Avenue is a must-stop destination – from denims to pacifiers, they are unbeatable when it comes to princess wardrobes!