Are my qualifications/experience enough?

Hi Faizan

If you want to attain a degree, that's fine, although qualifications are not the most important thing.

When you are looking for a position, or offering freelance help, gear your approach to human nature. Business owners are less interested in what you have achieved than what you can do for them.

Be subtle but gear your approach along those lines. In reality, if you sit in front of someone and tell them you have a degree, or two degrees, they are just going to think, well, that's OK. If they truly believe you are going to put bread on their table as well as yours, much more interesting.

SurreyWeb, post: 7940 a écrit : Hi Faizan

If you want to attain a degree, that's fine, although qualifications are not the most important thing.

When you are looking for a position, or offering freelance help, gear your approach to human nature. Business owners are less interested in what you have achieved than what you can do for them.

Be subtle but gear your approach along those lines. In reality, if you sit in front of someone and tell them you have a degree, or two degrees, they are just going to think, well, that's OK. If they truly believe you are going to put bread on their table as well as yours, much more interesting.

Hey SW, thanks! No, I cannot afford to get a degree as of now but I do aim to have one in a couple of years time when I can actually afford it on my own.

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be more careful with how I word my cover letters next time.

Do you think that it's better to look for an in-house job or start approaching SMEs that do not have web sites (or have unprofessional graphics)?

Hi Faizan

The safe option of course is to find a job, although they are often not that safe nowadays. If you want to control your own life and eventually be more secure, then work for yourself. Just bear in mind that building a business takes time and can be hard work, even when you are well set up, you will probably put in more hours than you would for an employer.

Your suggestion about approaching small businesses is very good. Knocking on doors may be old fashioned but still works. So many people seem to have become reliant on their own website as the only source of business.

Never any harm in talking to any business owner, so go out and do that. A good learning curve as well, you will get used to the questions and after a while walking out of the door thinking "Why did I say that!" you improve your selling skills. The core selling skill is actually simple, honesty. Business owners are people and they appreciate that, quite often sense that without realising, or the opposite of course.

No harm in trying different tacks at the same time. Put together a list of 100 local small businesses you feel would genuinely benefit from your help, then write each one a personal letter. Phone up and ask for the owners/main directors name and research their business a little. Don't run their business down, whatever you think, be positive but explain how you could help in specific areas and what that will achieve for them. If you don't hear from them, follow up a week or so later with a phone call.

Just keep on going, then you get a client, then a few more. You do a great job for them and they recommend your services to their friends. There aren't too many overnight millionaires, building your business is about patience and persistence. This doesn't suit everyone but if you do succeed, you will feel far happier than succeeding for someone else.

Thank you SW. Your advice is really very helpful and I will definitely benefit from it.

In my opionion its not about what letters you have its all about the portfolio you would have the letters if you are a good designer..i think your best bet would to freelance as i dont believe you are industry standard just yet.

Hi Faizan!

I agree. In my experience I don't think graphic design companies are that bothered by qualifications when it boils down to it. Aslong as you have good experience in the relevant software (photoshop, illustrator etc etc), backed by a strong portfolio that's what appeals to them more than anything.

Alot of jobs ads will say 'must have degree in graphic design or equivalent' but try not to let that put you off applying for them...you never know if you don't try!

I gained a first class degree in Advertising and while alot of companies were impressed, just as many dismissed it...at the end of the day it's down to your ideas, talent and how hard you work. A degree is just a piece of paper! Honestly, don't let it bother you. Stick at working on your portfolio and writing to places to get experience.

Good luck with everything!

Jo 🙂

In (my full time job 9-5) our studio we always go for designers who have a got a degree - 2.1, 2.2, whatever - it just gives a broader view of their portfolio. Some studios do - some don't. At my previous job a few years back i was handling the candidates for the interviews for my position (i was leaving) and going through the cvs sent in the ones who had degrees certainly stood out far more than those who didn't.

If you can do a degree - go for it. If you can't actual job experience is always a bonus.

Is a Degree Enough

Read this months computer arts magazine because this subject is reviewed

I know designers who have degrees in graphic design and they are very average at best. I also know a few creative directors (one of whom is working at one of the world's largest advertising agencies) who didn't even go to college.

Experience will always count more than a certificate or letters after your name. College or University is a completely idealistic and unrealistic environment where you are given free reign to design whatever you like. Unfortunately, in the real world, most clients won't want to have a CMYK, plus 3 spot colour job, with fancy die cutting etc.

You either have a sensitivity towards graphic design or you don't.

Put it this way - The Kooks studied at a music college on how to become a successful indie band. Paul McCartney couldn't even read music…

It is about experience and what you can offer. Looking at your portfolio you should place yourself as a web designer more than a graphics/artworker as you do not have any commercial print work. ie brochures, advertising, brand identity etc. So I would suggest you to get some commercial work in there. Make it up if you have to.

Right now if I were you I would look for both full time and freelance work. You might get freelance work that should tide you over while looking for your perfect full time job. :)

Nice site by the way 😃