I am a formally qualified graphic designer.....with a good few years in design and advertising, from little shops to the biggies, later years in mutlimedia...but recently re-trained to teach design and tech at high school.
Good points about the industry:
It changes often, you get to be creative and explore ideas, then point things out to yer mates - oh I did that.
Bad points: Dog eat dog, never any time for the job, always on the back foot (clients never know what they want, but definately know what they don't want). Long hours and people are not always 'valued'.
In recent years there are so many private colleges knocking out 'designers' that competition is fierce for the newbie, and so wages have gotten a bit ordinary compaired to 20 years ago, but the demands are higher.
You will need to use Apple and PC with some skill, and defiantely know how to make artwork right to print using DTP apps. That seems pretty manditory now, then there's the folio of work and your personality.
My advice...the industry is dod eat dog and full of people that blag their way into it as much as those with talent do, you need a bit of both to do well, people skills is important, know when to hold em, know when to fold em as the song says.
Don't be intimidated, after going through big to small places - they all go from one near disaster to the next - they are not perfect. Having good management is the key, and often the 'manager' is the owner and an ex-designer - these people are real hard to please, as no matter what you do, you won't do it like them - these places I think are the hardest to work for, usually under 10 people places, good to cur yer teeth, but I would'nt stick around for years.
Breaking in is never easy, as getting off the C.V. pile is that hard thing, so try and have something you send in that get's noticed in some way - even if you just glue on a kit-kat to your CV. I've advertised for junior jobs on Seek and had 200+ replies in a couple of days.....that is the hardest part....getting the interview.
As we know, advertising is not always 'honest'. They make the ordinary seem desirable - or so they say - so you have to play the game to break in. A little 'creativity' with the gods honest truth might get you off the CV pile.
It's a good career if you're into it, but it's also long hours and often lots of pressure to meet deadlines - the suits and clients have no idea how long stuff really takes a lot of the time, so when you're up against it, they will still blame you if it's not 100% right, so you need to be able to say 'no' at times, which can be hard to the boss.....
To break in, try smaller, local printers. They don't have the most 'wow' jobs, but if you are cheap, then it's good experience to learn how things work without the pressure. Then work on yer folio - even if most of it is completely made up and you didn't do it commercially....even ripping off layouts and other ads can work. Make it look slick - and make it A3! A2 folios shout 'student'. Tell 'em you did the made up stuff overseas or something - that will make you look worldly wise....lol....No one checks....
Art Director is the better gig, then they give you graphic designers to dump work on, as art directors spend their time 'thinking', scribbling and going to photo shoots - great gig. The graphic designer is the one that turns that idea into a reality, and for my mind are often under-rated, and under paid.
But you need 2-5 years in the trenches before you get an AD gig usually, then it starts to pay off. I'd also suggest that you get into AWARD school (
www.awardonline.com) - get in there if you can - it's a pet breeding ground of the big agencies - if it says you did AWARD school an agency will take more notice than a DEGREE!. Check out sites like Australian In Front and take part in the projects, you'll meet other people online....most of the good jobs in advertising and design are 'in the know'.
Hope I aint put you off, I have a great time doing it, but now I'm heading to 40, I'm too old to run with the kids, and have my own kids to bring up, and just don't have the time to put into the schmoooze that goes with design. Lots of booze, lattes and pub lunches to attend, with periodic pushing of a mouse and looking out the window.....lol....no seriously it's a good job....but can be a bitch to break into....just keep plugging away at it, and if after you get the job, start looking for a better one as soon as you get the feeling the 'leader' is not as smart as he/she made out at the interview. They sell themselves as much as you will!
Good luck!!!!!
