In response to your questions:
1. What education or training is needed (courses, degrees, licensing, certification)?You can either go for an 2 year Associates Degree or a Bachelor's degree. Art insitutes are fine, but their tuition costs are higher than say a community college so a student loan is necessary. Remember to
never defer your student loan unless you're having financial hardships. the interest will accumulate which means a $2,000 student loan can jump up to $10,000 without knowing.
2. What kind of physical abilities or personality traits are needed to succeed on the job?The only "physical ability" is to be in good health. It can be stressful to work in an ad agency at times, but it's nothing that anyone can overcome. As far as personality traits go, just be yourself and don't get too cocky with your abilities. That's a turn off with clients.
3. What kind of prior experience is absolutely essential? What skills or talents are most essential for effectiveness in this job?Artistic experience, creativity, and a very unique way of thinking is a plus. You would have to learn how to create things from scratch and "not feeling like creating something" has to be ignored unless you don't want to have a paycheck.
4. What are your current job duties and/or responsiblities on a day to day basis?Providing, rough comps (sketches) for client presentation, lots of phone calls, computer work, making prints, meetings & lunch with clients, etc.
5. What are the toughest problems you must deal with?Clients...sometimes some of them have no idea what they really want because they can't make up their mind. Cancellations of projects happen rarely, which can be a downer, but they still have to pay a "cancellation charge" which means I still get paid ^_^
Sometimes getting things mailed out is another hassle on its own so make sure you find a nearby FedEx store.
6. What hours (or shifts) do you work?Being a freelancer, I set my own schedule (5-6 days at 8-10hr shifts). You have to have some form of balance in your life.
7.What is the starting salary range for your field?This can vary with each person and depending on what they do. To put it this way, once you start it's a high ladder to climb, but you'll be
very happy once you get there.
8. What kind of employee benefits do you recieve? (vacation, sick leave, insurance and pension plans, etc.)If you're looking for something with perks, I highly suggest this:
Graphic Artists Guild Medical, Dental, Visual, discounted car rental, discounted shipping, etc. Ad agencies also provide very good medical coverage for its workers.
Setting up a retirement plan is also good to consider.
9. How rapidly is your present career field growing? How would you describe or estimate future prospects?It's growing faster with each day. Las Vegas already has six design agencies with several more in the works. I'm also planning on running one myself in the near future.
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Personal:
1. Did you find it difficult to obtain a job in your field after college?Depends on where you are. The best way is to find an internship to get your foot in the door and go from there. Always remember to "network" and meet new people along the way, just don't "brown nose" your way to success.
2. How long have you been on the job? Do you enjoy it? What are your likes and dislikes about your job?I've been doing this since I graduated form art school in 1996. If I wasn't enjoying it, I wouldn't be helping others in this guild now would I ?
Likes: As a freelancer, I'm my own boss. I don't have to work another pathetic, low paying, 9-5 job ever again. I also get discounts at art stores and special perks with other businesses in this part of town.
Dislikes: I used to have some issues in the past with certain clients and small disasters in the prints and whatnot, but it's nothing that would make me pull my hair out.
3. How did you prepare yourself for this work?Music (via iPod), watch anime, breakfast, good health, and a healthy dose of humor.
4. Describe how you occupy your time during a typical work week.I usually work 8-10 hours a day, five days a week. Sometimes 6 days if I have to ship something out ASAP. Remember to take a quick break to stretch once in a while when you're in front of the computer.
5. How much flexibility does your work place upon you, outside of the ordinary work week? Do you enjoy them?Since I freelance, I set everything on my own so I can do what I want, but I always stick to my repsonsibilites. Most times, I would have a list of things to do or notes on my computer calendar to keep me in track of what I have to do for the meantime. Being organized is extremely necessary.
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Other:
1. Any advice you would like to give to future graphic designers?
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DO NOT EVER think of getting your business card or anything done for a client in Kinko's (unless you're making copies of contracts). They wouldn't know graphics even if they downloaded into the Matrix.
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Portfolios and/ or slides:
If you have updated work, get rid of your old stuff. If you're going to apply for a company as a designer, research the company for a bit and make your samples fit their needs.
Custom portfolios are nice, but not necessary. I do not suggest building a metal portfolio because you may risk scratching up someone's desk. Remember that you may sometimes have to leave it there for the employer to overlook your work.
The most confusing thing with most people is when artist(s) have "commissions" on their art webpages. That's basically like what artist does at an art table at an anime convention...Please remember not to confuse that with a graphic designer. A desinger would have a contract set up with the condition in which the client is able to use their work and a set amount for deposits, payment dates, etc.
**Resumes are the most important because it will either make or break you**
2. Anything else you would like to add ?-You must have an open mind and not be offended by constructive criticism.
-Being diverse is also a plus and don't be afraid or limited to what you can do. expand your horizons.
-Most important of all,
don't give up !
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