Non-Pool
Topic: Graphics - Aimed at Big Dave!

Hey I know you like helping people and I saw that you work with Graphics etc..

Just wondering how you got into what you do 20 years ago?

I understand it is different now with more qualifications available for people wanting to get into the industry. But how would somebody get their work noticed and themselves into a job.

I don't have any qualifications to do with this but I should have within two years. I have done flyers for some clubs around Manchester but that has only been through friends etc.

Where do I find work and how do I know I will be able to do what they expect of me? And what happens when a freelancer can't meet expectations once he has took a job on?

You can see some stuff I knocked up quick here:

http://www.btinternet.com/~gjcollins/portfolio/

It's all fictional and one of them is a ripoff of the Jenn Barretta website but nevermind that.

A friend of mine told me that I should just get a real portfolio together of things like the magazine cover i did on that link and send it to some agencies. But is that the only way to get work in the industry?

Please help Dave!

Kind Regards
Danny

Sorry I've been a while replying to your question but I always like to consider my response to any questions.

Firstly I managed to fall into my job through dumb luck, showing an incredible amount of genuine enthusiasm and a lot of "who you know not what you know" to be brutally honest.

Computers were only just becoming reliable at the time and the manuals were very slim and you didn't need long to learn everything the machine could do because they were so limited.

A maximum of eight colours and 4 typefaces doesn't take a lot of expertise, so I was incredibly lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Unfortunately knowing that doesn't help you much.

What I can tell you is that designers don't become freelance first, they learn their trade in-house and experience lots of different techniques and learn a huge variety of skills.

That is why freelancers are never fazed by whatever is requested because they've worked in-house for so long beforehand, that they are now master of what they do, and rise effortlessly to new challenges... Sounds glib, but it's true!

The stuff you've done is incredibly good and you obviously have a passion for it, and employers love that, and if you can show that enthusiasm you'll find it very easy to get a position somewhere, but you'll find it very difficult/nearly impossible getting well paid work if you attempt to be a freelance before you've paid your dues. Everyone needs to learn to walk before they can run.

When you do your course they should be able to advise you where to apply for positions... Remember to get promoted ever two years or move company and when you feel confident and the time is right, go freelance and work for the same clients for more money.

Be prepared to work bloody hard, it sounds great when I say I painted this matt and worked on that TV programme, but for all the fun stuff there are tens of jobs where in reality I've busted my guts out a lot of the time doing absolutely ridiculous hours.

I do however, still love my job, but then, I've always been a very lucky person.

I hope this helps, and all the best of luck.

The Other thing is ask Design places if you can come in on 'Work experience'. They might only cover your expenses. It usually lasts 2 - 4 weeks. Show your work about, get a list of people to see. When you see them get them to recommend someone to see. A lot of it is about 'who you know not what you know.' (Unlike 9-ball!)

'Work experiene/placement' has two benefits.
1) Its the experience and chance to get some 'real' work produced. (but expect to be given some dodgy stuff to do)
2) You make contacts and it's a name / company to add to your CV.

Good luck

Thanks for that guys.

I have often considered applying for some work experience places.

And yes I really do enjoy doing this and I understand there will be plenty of times where I have to slog my guts out but I can't wait for them times. Because I know I will be part of the industry when it comes to that.

It is quite bizarre though. Since posting this thread I have been approached by what you could call 'big name companies' in the billiards world. Who I will be contacting very shortly.

Would you mind me pm'ing either of you guys if I need some advice?

Thanks
Dan

Danny, feel free to pm. I think Dave knows more than I do - In fact he knows more than anyone!, he's the 'Well of knowledge'. Throw down your bucket of questions and Dave will come up with the answers.'

Bah, what I do is very specialised, a real "niche" market and not particularly transferable to other fields - also I have no formal training either... I just picked it up as I went along.

Told you I was lucky!

Dave you're being modest. I too used to have a job where you just picked things up as you went along...I was a bin man!

Danny all this advice is very well, but you have to remember the hard work involved means your 9-ball will suffer. Why get a decent job when you can be good at 9-Ball?!!

because at the moment I can't even afford to pick up my cue