But has anyone told you the truth?

Design is a competitive field. The job market is slow. If you get a call for an interview, you passed the first test. Your resume and portfolio were good enough to make the first cut. But, they won’t get you the job.

You’re just one among many: many impressive resumes, many creative portfolios, many eager designers. Tons of talent – all after the same position.

So, how do you stand out?

Personality

It doesn’t matter how big or small a firm is. Every office has it’s own environment, it’s own pulse, it’s own character. Every piece in each distinct company puzzle has to work together.

More often than not, a company will hire the individual that “clicks” with the vibe of the office over another who may have a better portfolio or a more impressive resume.

The hard truth?

There isn’t really anything you can do about it. You are who you are. You will interview with some companies where you just don’t fit in. Maybe you’re more or less outgoing than they are, maybe you work better individually when the company operates in teams or groups, maybe you just don’t have the same sense of humor. Maybe you’re in a different place in your lives.

I remember one interview where the interviewer was bragging to me about their Monday-Wednesday-Friday after-work martini parties. He was so excited, like it was this great selling point. All I could think was, why would I want to stay late after work three days a week just to drink? I wasn’t 21 anymore. It just wasn’t a good fit for me.

You will probably know it as soon as they do – this just isn’t the place for me.

And you know what?

That’s a GOOD thing. It’s not fun working with a bunch of people who you don’t “get” you – who don’t make sense. Nobody wants to go to countless interviews – but just keep in mind – in order for you to land in the right place, you’re going to have to try a few times.

Don’t get discouraged. Don’t give up. And DON’T pretend to be someone you’re not. Eventually the real you will come out, and you will have just wasted time that could have been spent interviewing with firms that may have liked you for you. There is a good fit for you somewhere. It’s worth the wait.

Skill

Of course, your personality doesn’t mean anything if you can’t do the work.

Any company seriously interviewing for a position will put you to the test before they commit to hiring you. Web designers will be expected to design a few pages on the fly, art directors may be asked to come up with a campaign idea, print designers may be asked to set up files for press. I’ve been asked to take spelling tests, proofreading tests, math tests and personality tests. Be ready for anything! Take these tests seriously.

They are looking to make sure:

• You actually possess the skills you listed on your resume
• You actually have the talent to do the work you showed in your portfolio
• You can do work in a timely manner
• You do things the right way (CMKY separations, writing your own code, etc.)
• You can handle the pressure of a real timeline and project restrictions
• You can follow instructions and take direction
• You have the right attitude while you work

Once upon a time, I had a part in interviewing candidates for an open design position. We had narrowed it down to two designers. One had a better portfolio, but we tested them both. In the end, candidate #2 won the job – even though #1 had the edge going in. They performed equally on the test – they both did very well and created solid web pages, coded from scratch. But candidate #2 had a great attitude. He came and took the test in the evening, after he had put in a late day at his current job. He didn’t complain, he jumped right into the work, and he even cracked a couple of jokes. That’s the kind of attitude you want to work with every day. It was his combination of personality and skill that got him the job – and years later, we know we made the right decision. He is a stellar designer, and still one of my favorite co-workers.

You’re ready to hit the pavement — to do what it takes to get your first design job. You know the basics: proofread your resume, put together a killer portfolio, and sell yourself to each firm individually. That’s what gets you in the door.

But, don’t forget to brush up on your skills, and cross your fingers — because it’s going to be a combination of skill and personality that lands you your first design job.

Good Luck!

The Senior Media Strategist at the Usman Group was generous enough to answer these questions for the Creative Opera readers:

1. What types of design positions do you have in your company?

We are a hybrid of creative here. Our crew is a careful collective of creative strategists, designers, writers and thinkers (bordering on obsessive compulsive). We form like Voltron to do our best and make it lean and mean like the A-Team.

2. What are the minimum requirements for an entry-level position with your company?

We are very selective yet welcoming in our approach to new minds on our team. We seek those individuals who have a creative spark in their work and their confidence. We want someone who brings something new to the table, whether it be personality, strategic designs, or a different approach to looking at and seeing things.

3. Does an applicant have to have a college degree to apply for a job with your company, or do you hire self-taught creatives?

I do believe a college degree is important but not necessary. There is something about being self-taught that showcases determination and diligence that we welcome. If you have the chops to create compelling work, have a solid focus, and compose yourself in a genuine manner, we want to talk to you.

4. What kind of position would an entry-level designer be able to have with your company? What types of responsibilities would they have?

When you join our team, you become a part of a network of trust and teamwork. While tasks and responsibilities may waiver, we’re a team and move forward with projects in a timely manner.

Some roles an entry-level designer may have would consist of:

Client research – study heat-mapping, analysis of current website to find out what’s working and what’s not

Competitor research – what can we do differently to push this client to the top of their brand expertise?

Layout comprehensive wireframes – bringing findings down to the basic bare routes to drive forward design

Keyword Analysis – what are the best words to organically make this site visible in search engines?

Design Brainstorming – combining color, communication, imagery?

5. What are the top 5 things you look for in a potential design hire?

1. A thought process – show me how you think

2. Uniqueness – show me what you can bring to the table that I don’t already have

3. Confidence – walk proudly and speak concisely

4. Passion – don’t do this for the paycheck or you’ll be miserable

5. Drive – be self-motivated and have a sense of determination to meet deadlines in a timely manner. We don’t micromanage – we take your word and expect the best. Be aware of deadlines, be oganized and ready.

6. What expectations do you have for a design portfolio? How would an ideal portfolio be presented?

Creatively. Have pieces that showcase your skills, that show your thought process, and that have clear and strategic messaging. Then present them proudly. If it’s a face-to-face meeting, speak confidently in your designs. If you’re crafting a personal website to house your work, make it crisp and clean. Share your thought process and/or challenges turned solutions.

7. Do you expect to see a printed portfolio anymore? Is an online portfolio enough?

With print becoming obsolete many think web is all there is and that’s not true. There is something still personable with an organized and put together printed portfolio that shows what you’re all about.

8. What are the top 3 things a potential hire can do to get an interview when they are responding to an ad for a job opening? What are you looking for as you’re sifting through responses?

I look for a creative personality and being genuine in your responses. Show that you’ve done some research — if we’ve landed a new client, congratulate us, if you’ve come across a Microsite we created, share your thoughts on our direction. Be involved — but not creepy stalker-like.

9. What is the most common desirable quality or skill that you find missing from most applicants?

In our field of work, the face-to-face communication can be distant and hidden behind a computer screen. Come out of your shell and share who you are. Your work is fantastic — but do you have an approachable personality that I want to surround myself with?

10. What advice do you have for those new to the design industry, or those thinking of entering the design industry?

Don’t be cocky — it’s an ugly quality. Rather present yourself with an approachable confident demeanor and just create mind boggling strategic s%#t.

I would like to thank the Usman Group for these extremely helpful pieces of advice. I hope that all of you looking for a new design position will find this information useful, and will use this advice to your advantage in your next interview.

A note from Creative Opera: Please do not contact the featured companies in Advice from the Real World posts unless they are actively hiring (open positions have been posted on their website or on a job site). Those who participate are being extremely generous with their time, and have agreed to be interviewed in order to help better the careers of our readers. Please do not bombard them with calls or emails. Thank you!

Do you have design- or career-related questions or topics that you would like to see covered in future Advice from the Real World posts? Please post them in the comments area below. I’ll include the best questions in my next round of interviews!

Are you a design professional with advice that you would like to share with the Creative Opera readers? Please email Creative Opera with some information about your company or profession and an overview of the type of information that you would like to share. I will do my best to respond to everyone in a timely manner, and will work with the chosen companies to create a custom Advice from the Real World post to feature your company and your advice to the design community.

Myth #9: Graphic Designers Fix Computers

I’m not sure what it is, but there is a mass confusion about the limitless knowledge of graphic designers. Apparently because I work on a computer all day, I also know how to take one apart and build it from scratch. I know how to set up networks, load memory, rid computers of viruses, and use any and all programs — no matter if they are design-related or not.

Graphic designers are DESIGNERS. We are not IT specialists. We are not members of the Geek Squad. And we are not software developers or sales associates at your local computer store. Please stop calling us for help with your computers.

Myth #10: Designers Prefer Trades to Cash

I don’t know why, but it seems that the Barter System is alive and well in the world of graphic design. What is it about the services we provide as designers that so few people think we deserve to be paid in cash? Everyone wants to make a trade! If you design my website, I’ll make you a pie. If you create posters for our event, we’ll give you a free ticket to attend.

Designers don’t do what we do for fun. This is our job! We design websites and posters so that we can buy food and electricity. We take cash, and checks, and credit cards, and paypal payments. Not pies. Would you pay your hairstylist, doctor, or mechanic in pies? No? Then, please give designers the same respect and hire them only when you have the budget to pay with real money.

Myth #11: Designers Love to Haggle

Let’s get one more money myth out of the way. It has become a popular belief that purchasing a website is like purchasing a car. Potential clients ask, how much is this going to cost? We ask them questions, get an idea of what they want, put together an estimate, and send it over. And what comes back? Not a simple “Let’s do it” or “Sorry, that’s out of my price range,” but a counter-offer! What?!?!

This myth has become so out of hand, that I’m about ready to change my system. Instead of telling a potential client how much it will cost to do what they want, I need to start asking them what their budget is — and then telling them what they can get for that price. That may give me a break from this myth — and save me and my potential clients a lot of time.

Myth #12: There is a quick-fix Filter or Plugin for almost every Situation

Surprisingly, this is one myth that I hear from both designers and non-designers. I’ve had both students and professionals ask me how to achieve a certain look or build a specific functionality, and as I’m describing the steps they interrupt with, “Isn’t there an easier way?” Isn’t there a magic button I can push to give my website the grunge look? Isn’t there a special setting that will turn my psd into a working website with no work on my part?

Non-designers are equally guilty of this myth. I get a lot of, “Why is that taking so long?” and “This should be a quick change (or a quick project),” because obviously if I have Photoshop, I have a magic genie to finish every job in a flash.

Design takes time. And a lot of hard work, concentration, and attention to detail. Yes, there are some filters to give you a basic look. But, if you want to push any treatment to a professional level, there will be serious work involved. And, yes, there are some plugins that are a major benefit in web design — but they still usually have to be customized for the project at hand. The truth is, if you see something, and are impressed by it, somebody put a lot of time and work into it. No magic involved.

Myth #13: Drawing with a Mouse is Easier than Drawing with a Pencil

You may be surprised by this one. It sounds like a myth, right? But I hear it all of the time from students: “I don’t know how to draw. But it’s okay, I’m going to work on a computer.” What makes people think that it’s easier to draw with a mouse? Chances are, if you can’t draw with a pencil, your skills aren’t going to improve when you start drawing with a mouse. Please, all of you aspiring designers, get a pencil and a sketchbook you love, and practice drawing. Those skills are going to help you tremendously when you have to switch over to creating art with a mouse.

Myth #14: Designers don’t need General Education Classes

There are so many students in design school loving their design courses, and barely scraping by in their math, English, and history classes — rolling their eyes, sketching during lectures, and ignoring their instructors. Why? Because somewhere along the line, the unfortunate and untrue news has spread that general education courses are unnecessary for designers. Not only are they necessary, they could make or break your career.

How is it that students expect to successfully create an 8-panel roll-fold brochure, or a complex tradeshow booth without math? And, if you ever expect to own your own business, those math skills are going to come in handy when you have to do your own estimates, billing and taxes.

Writing and grammar skills may be the most underrated of the general education classes. I can’t imagine that any designer will manage to get through his or her career without doing at least a little copywriting, and without doing a whole lot of proofing. And, how will you ever make a convincing sales pitch or present a concept to a client without the skills you’ll acquire in speech class?

Even the classes that seem completely out of the realm of design — science, history, and social study classes — will be vital to your career. As a designer, you have to be a chameleon — creating a website for the finance industry one day, and working on a brochure for the construction industry the next. EVERY one of those classes is going to be helpful to you in your career. Please don’t take them for granted.

Myth #15: Designers are Mind Readers

Occasionally people have a hard time communicating their thoughts. And, that’s okay. But, it does make the job of the designer very difficult. Sometimes impossible. “I want a logo, but I don’t know what I want. I’ll know it when I see it.” So, you want me to just keep creating logos until you find one you like? How many years do you expect this to take?

Designers aren’t mind readers. We don’t know you hate the color yellow or that clouds give you nightmares. I believe it is our job, as designers, to ask as many questions as we can. But it is hard to cover everything, and sometimes you (the client) aren’t very good at describing what you want. THIS is why most designers will do more than one composition design. I personally do two out of the box, and then use the feedback from those to work on a third that will hopefully be a home run. All we ask as designers, though, is that you be a little patient if we don’t create a perfect layout or logo on the first try — we aren’t mind readers. We just try to be.

Myth #16: Design is so Easy that Anyone can Learn it in a One-Hour Session & We Would LOVE to Teach You!

This myth is the one that bothers me the most. I went to college for four years (and have quite a bit of debt to show for it), and worked two —sometimes three — jobs at a time while I was starting out as a designer. I read every design book and design blog I could get my hands on (and I still do). I’ve been working and teaching in the design industry for over twelve years. Twelve! And, I get this all of the time: “I don’t want to pay you to do it. Couldn’t you just show me how to do it?”

No. I can’t, and I won’t. Go to school, get good grades, purchase and read every book you can get your hands on, complete every tutorial you come across, purchase the programs and equipment, write the lesson plans and teach the classes, climb the ladder, and spend all of your spare time studying, sketching, and learning. After all of that, you should be able to handle design on your own. Then give me a call. I’ll set you up with my other clients so that you can teach them all you’ve learned in a single one-hour session.

So, there you have it! 8 more design myths. Curious about the first 8? Check them out in: 8 Common Graphic Design Myths Revealed.

I’m not sure how it translates in other languages, but this expression just means that you’re going to get your stuff together. You’ll be gathering all of the things that you’ll need on your quest for a design job. You’re going to find out what you need, figure out what you’re missing, and fill in the gaps.

(If you missed part 1 of the How to Land a Design Job series, you may want to go back and take a look at: How to Land a Design Job — Part 1: Choose your Path.)
 

Who are You and Where did you Come From?

Let’s start with the things that you should have on hand for the interview, and ready-in-waiting if you should get the job. There is a good chance that you will NOT need all of these things, but there is also a good chance that you will need some of them. Every interview I’ve been on—and every job I’ve accepted—has had different requirements. I’ve been asked for everything on this list at least once. My advice is to make it easy on yourself. Be ready for anything. Here are the things you’ll want to gather:

Birth Certificate
Social Security Card
Drivers License
College Transcripts
Copy of your College Degree
Also does not hurt to have a second photo ID (passport or school ID usually work fine)

Dig up ALL of this stuff, make copies of it, and keep it in a safe place. Don’t know where your birth certificate is? Get to a courthouse for an official copy. Didn’t save your college transcripts? Send away for them. If you end up not needing this stuff, fine. Hang onto if for another time. If you DO end up needing it for a job or interview though, you don’t want to be scurrying around, or explaining to a potential employer why they need to wait three weeks for something they want right away. 
 

Detailed Life History Please

You’ll be surprised at how detailed some of the job applications are that you will be filling out. I don’t know about you, but I don’t remember the exact day that I started my second job, or the phone number of my first job. You’ll want to take the time now to go back through your employment history and get your facts straight. Write it all down on something that you can carry with you to every interview (sounds like a perfect reason to buy a new Moleskine!) That way, when you’re nervous about your interview, you don’t have to add to the craziness by trying to remember your exact quit date of your third job. Again, I’m asking you for details you might not need. But, there is a chance that you WILL need these facts, so in the spirit of “better safe than sorry,” go ahead and write it all down. Here are the things you’ll want to have:

School Info:
College Name
College Dates (Start and Graduation)
Major, Minor
GPA 
College Address, Phone Number

For Every Job You’ve Ever Had:
Company Name
Company Address
Company Phone
Manager Name (if you have more than one manager, use the one that likes you the most)
Start Date, End Date
Duties/Responsibilities/Accomplishments
Reason for Leaving

I do know people who have lost jobs (after holding them for years) because it was found that they lied on their resumes or applications. You don’t want to be making up dates or names when you’re filling out your job application. Take the time to do the research and get your facts straight. As you grow in your career, continue to add to your list. There will be MANY times in life when you are glad to have it! And, as an added bonus, you might just impress your prospective employer with your organization.
 

Does Anyone Like You?

Another part of the interview process is recommendations and references. As you go through life, collect letters of recommendation. Worked for somebody that loved you? Ask for a letter. Had a teacher who thought you were the best student ever? Ask for a letter. Some jobs will ask for letters of reference, and all grad programs will ask for letters. Avoid using family or friends. Keep them professional, employers or instructors are best. Print out five or more, and ask the person to sign each. Bring them with you on your job interviews if you know they are required. Bring them with you even if they are NOT required, just in case.

I’ve never filled out any type of application (not even for a waitressing position) that didn’t ask for references. They will ask you for three to five people who will vouch for you. You want someone who will say “Hire them. They are perfect!” The employer wants someone who has actual experience working with you. No relatives, neighbors, friends, or significant others — not unless you did work for them. Look instead to teachers, past employers, or clients. You always want to ask a person if they mind being a reference ahead of time. It’s common courtesy, and it gives them some time to come up with some great stuff to say about you! The application will ask for their name, company (if applicable), position, relationship to you, address, and phone number. So, you’ll want to write all of that down and bring it with you on your interviews along with all of the other stuff you’ve gathered so far.
 

Lining up the Elephants

Okay, we’re done with the easy stuff. Now for the BIG ducks. There are still quite a few things you need to gather up that will take a bit more time and attention than tracking down a few documents. You want to make sure that you meet the requirements of the job BEFORE you apply. So, that’s where you’re going to start.
 

Researching the Requirements

You’re not going to know what you need until you find out what people are asking for. Remember Part 1? Choosing your path? You should have a pretty clear idea of what you are looking for. So, now, you just need make sure you can be what THEY are looking for! Check out the job listings. Look for the types of jobs that you would want to apply for. What are the requirements? Make a list. What are people looking for? Don’t brush by anything. Write it all down and put stars next to the things that appear over and over. Look at at least ten ads (more is better). It’s amazing how similar the requirements are, isn’t it? If you are looking at similar positions (all web design positions, for example) you’ll find that most employers are looking for similar skills, similar work ethics, and similar portfolio samples. Those starred items are the things you want to concentrate on first — although I recommend eventually working your way through the entire list. Why not be an over-achiever?
 

A Long Hard Look in the Mirror

Let’s get the easy stuff out of the way. What are employers asking from you as a person? Some of the personal requirements  you’ll see again and again in job requirements are “Organized,” “Independent Worker,” “Team Player,” and “Multi-Tasker.” I’m not going to ask you to change your personality to fit these traits. Instead, I’d like you to list them out, and then for each, write out 2-3 examples of situations in your life when you demonstrated those qualities. When the interviewer asks you “Do you work well within a team environment?” it’s going to be better for you if you can answer with, “We worked in teams to brainstorm new concepts during my internship, and I really enjoyed that process,” instead of “Yes, I do.” Do you see where I’m going with this? Don’t change who you are — just find those traits in yourself. And, if you are the most completely disorganized person on the planet, you can always answer, “How are your organizational skills?” with, “I’m not naturally an organized person, but I do have a system for writing things down so that nothing slips through the cracks, and I’m working on becoming more organized every day.” No reason to lie, but still better than, “No, not really.” 
 

Study Up! There will be a Test.

Now that we have the personal requirements out of the way, let’s take a look at the required technical skills for the job. What programs are employers asking for in their ads? Go back to your list. If you see that you starred a program that you’re not familiar with, or that you have used but not mastered, it might be wise to take a week or two to study up on that program. Get some books, browse all of the awesome free tutorials online, or sign up for an 8-hour training session. Do whatever you have to do to get up-to-date and on top of your skills. In a web design job, PHP might be a “plus,” but good clean CSS will be a “must,” so make sure that your CSS knowledge is up to par before making any calls or sending out any resumes. You want to be as prepared as possible when you get a call-back. Don’t disappoint yourself or the interviewer by pretending to know something you don’t. 

For those of you who have never been on a design interview, you should know, there WILL be a test. It might be during your second interview, but there will be a test somewhere in the process. Nobody is going to hire you without seeing what you can do firsthand. I’ve had to take math tests, proof-reading tests, spelling tests, personality tests, and a whole slew of design tests. Usually the tests are real-world applications like “Design a 3-page website using these elements in 2 hours,” or “Create a 2-color brochure using this text and these images and package it for print in an hour.” You want to be prepared for anything though. And, the best way to do that is to brush up on all of the required skills. 

Bonus Tip: You also want to pay attention to the specifics of the requirements in the ad. If they are using Quark instead of InDesign, don’t just assume they are similar. Study Quark. If they are using Photoshop 7 instead of CS4, study up on 7. If they are using PCs instead of Macs, spend some time getting familiar with the PC. You can never be too prepared!!
 

Your Portfolio: The Missing Pieces

The last bit of organization you’ll have to do before we dive into creating your resume and portfolio is to gather up and coordinate the portfolio pieces that you have so far. Using your trusty list, look for your starred requirements. Do people want to see websites? Logos? Thumbnails (your process)? What are they asking for? What do you currently have that meets those requirements? Sort through all of your work. Choose only those pieces that you think are impressive and that fit the job descriptions you’ve been researching. Don’t put something in just because you think you need a certain number of samples in your book. As someone who has interviewed and hired, I can tell you that the old saying is absolutely true: “Your portfolio is only as good as your weakest piece.” You will be judged on your worst sample. Every time. If it’s not up to par, leave it out. Trying to decide between two similar samples? Choose the one that best fits the job description that you are looking at, or the one with the best story behind it. Your portfolio will be the bulk of your conversation during your interview. The more interesting your pieces, the better the conversation.

Don’t worry if you feel like your portfolio is a bit slim. Unless you are more advanced in your career, or coming from a job and looking for another job in the same field, it is normal to have fewer portfolio pieces. In fact, you may have some nice pieces, but you might not have any that really work for the job you want to apply to. That’s okay.

We’ll talk about the best way to round out your portfolio in Part 3 of the How to Land a Design Job series: Filling in the Gaps.

The Creative Director at Brick Studios was generous enough to answer these questions for the Creative Opera readers:

1. What types of design positions do you have in your company?

Currently, we don’t have an “in-house” designers. We work on a more virtual business model pulling together talent on a as-need basis per project. This allows for massive efficiencies and for us to pick and choose the right talent for the project.

2. What type of design-related position can a student expect to get right out of school? What does that job involve (what types of tasks would they be assigned to)?

I will reference some of my personal experience here – A design job right out of school has a lot of similarities to boot camp in the army. You have to prove yourself at that tender age of experience and be wide open to learning EVERYTHING around you and how it works. Big picture is the key. Then figure out where you want to specify. Is it web, print, package design. Typical tasks at this level can range from basic type-setting to full on design, concepting & development. This all depends on the company. You could also be fetching coffee. The key is to prove how you are useful.

3. What are the minimal entry level requirements for a design-related position in your company?

1. A strong portfolio. One that shows thought through execution and not just style. 

2. Personality is another must. This boils down to simple personal chemistry. No one is a fit for any position.

3. Ambition is the final requirement. Talent and charm is nothing without a drive to move forward

4. What are the top 5 things you look for in a potential design hire?

1. Strong portfolio. One that shows thought through execution and not just style. 

2. Personality. This boils down to simple personal chemistry. No one is a fit for any position.

3. Ambition. Talent and charm is nothing without a drive to move forward.

4. Skills. Can you operate the tools of the trade effectively and efficiently. With new hires right out of school it’s not uncommon to do a “trial run” for a few weeks to see how they execute certain technical tasks.

5. Resilience. How well can you bounce back from criticism, a bad meeting or a hard deadline?

5. What are the top 5 things you look for in a design portfolio?

1. Strong conceptual skills.

2. Excellent presentation skills. Both in verbal communication and visual.

3. Smart Execution. Was a project designed because of style or to strengthen the idea?

4. Originality. Is this a spin-off of something I have seen before or new thinking?

5. Craftsmanship. Are items visually tight? Images blurry/pixelated? Typography properly kerned? This shows design sense and the ability to use the tools.

6. What is the most common desirable quality or skill that you find missing from most applicants?

Presentation skills & Craftsmanship.

7. What is the biggest/most common mistake you see job applicants make during the interview process?

Presentation. Specifically, unpreparedness. Be ready to talk about how you would fit in while in the interview. Ask questions. Be engaging and conversational. It’s kinda like a date without the hand holding.

8. What could happen during an interview — or what could an applicant do — that would be an instant deal-breaker?

Not bringing a portfolio or having access to one online. Even worse is bring one that is presented poorly.  It’s half of the discussion.

9. What other advice do you have for those new to the design industry or those thinking of entering the design industry?

For those who are new to the industry – keep an open mind, experiment and understand how the business works at every level. This won’t come easy or at once, but once you get it your work will improve exponentially. 

As for those thinking about entering the design industry – Research and talk to everyone you can about there personal experiences within the industry. It’s not as simple as learning software. It is hard work, long hours and most importantly it’s an industry that isn’t forgiving to people with low ambition.

I would like to thank Brick Studios for these extremely helpful pieces of advice. I hope that all of you looking for a new design position will find this information useful, and will use this advice to your advantage in your next interview.

A note from Creative Opera: Please do not contact the featured companies in Advice from the Real World posts unless they are actively hiring (open positions have been posted on their website or on a job site). Those who participate are being extremely generous with their time, and have agreed to be interviewed in order to help better the careers of our readers. Please do not bombard them with calls or emails. Thank you!

Do you have design- or career-related questions or topics that you would like to see covered in future Advice from the Real World posts? Please post them in the comments area below. I’ll include the best questions in my next round of interviews!

Are you a design professional with advice that you would like to share with the Creative Opera readers? Please email Creative Opera with some information about your company or profession and an overview of the type of information that you would like to share. I will do my best to respond to everyone in a timely manner, and will work with the chosen companies to create a custom Advice from the Real World post to feature your company and your advice to the design community.