Put simply, a good sign of potential layoffs is that business is down. It could be the business you work for or the clients your company serves. How is business doing? Are you hunting for work to do? Lots of idle time? Are they reducing your hours, limiting overtime? While some of us appreciate the break from time-to-time…slow times are generally a bad indicator. If the company is not busy, if you don’t have steady work or clients, than you might worry. If your employer is publically traded it might be a little easier to figure out if a layoff is coming by keeping your eyes on the financials. All publically traded companies are required to provide financial information to the public (via annual reports, press releases and stock exchange information). Some business regularly go through hiring and layoff cycles. Some businesses try to bank a lot of their profits to keep large amounts of cash on hand for down cycles or rainy days others don’t due to credit lines, assets or outlook.

The best thing you can do to avoid the cut is to be the most valuable asset you can be. That sounds a little vague but that is because the answer depends on who you are, what you are doing and where you fit into the organization. You want to be so valuable that they can’t afford to lose you (if that is possible). You want to be their MVP without

the MVP attitude/arrogance. It also helps that you make a positive impression with most everyone. I don’t have any statistics to back me up but I would imagine that unhappy, unliked or abrasive people, unless they are VERY good are probably some of the first to be laid off.

Thanks for the question and hope that helps,

Ken

Dear Ken,
Do you have any advice for students looking to conduct some informational interviews and portfolio reviews? What do art directors and firm owners look for when looking at work and is there a preferred standardized way to show work? I’ve seen everything from large fancy linen cases to your black book sleeve inserts to a few samples and a CD and was curious as to what is the preferred way to show and present work within a one-on-one context.
Sincerely,
Portfolio Jim

Jim, This is easy enough question but the answer is anything but simple. While informational interviews and portfolio reviews are less formal than the actual job seeking versions (for employment), I would tread lightly on treating them different. You need to be very serious about your questions, answers and the presentation of yourself and your work. This may not be a job interview but it could become a future employer some time down the road or if nothing else a network contact if they like what they see. Unlike a employment interview you can be a little more casual and candid (while still professional/respectful) and you can generally expect the same from the firm rep/owner, let’s face it the usual pressure is off. You are seeking help and feedback and they are checking out the up and coming talent and lending a hand to future industry creatives. Before the interview I would think about;

• What it is you want to do (print, web, interactive, illustration, photography, all of the above, etc.)?
• Where do you want to work (design firm, agency, marketing firm, in-house, etc.)?
• What kind of work do you like to do (probably a good direction to start)?
• Where do you want to eventually get to later in your career (title, firm, type of work, etc.)?

Additionally, if you know in advance who you are interviewing with, study up on who they are so you can ask specific questions based on their experience in the industry. This is beneficial for two reasons. The first reason is so that you don’t ask questions of an interviewer that has little experience/interest in an area. Second, it shows respect and forethought that you took the time to look them up and cater your questions specific to the individual and there history.

Regarding your portfolio review, the best advice anyone gave me was “When in doubt, leave it out”, meaning if you question the piece don’t put it in your portfolio. Generally speaking only your best work should go into your portfolio, and if that means you only have five pieces than you only have five. Portfolio presentation and the delivery vehicle/media, in my opinion, is subjective and open to your style, personality and skill set. Regardless of the media you choose, make it a nice presentation (clean, neat, intelligent). Your presentation skills show almost as much as the pieces themselves, it is our job to pay attention to the details.

On the vehicle/media, the expectation is different depending on what career you are seeking. If you are seeking employment as a print production artist or junior designer than you can probably do OK with a printed portfolio. If you added a web based portfolio to your print (and it was also well done) that would be an added plus. Conversely, if you were trying to get a job as a web designer you may decide that you want a print portfolio as well but you had better have a good web-based portfolio. The same goes for a Flash designer, a 3D artists, etc., employers want to see what you can do and how well you can do it. Lastly, real world samples/pieces are better than school work. Show them real work you have done for real clients. If you haven’t done any real world projects try to find some to get some experience under your belt.

There are lots of good references out there on building your portfolio (www.aiga.org, www.howdesign.com, just to name a few) but experience is always the best teacher. Figure out where you want to go, what you want o do and the rest becomes a whole lot easier to answer.

Also be sure to check out the AIGA Student Portfolio Review coming up this Friday. To learn more and register check out the post here.

Thanks for the question and good luck,

Ken

Question:

Hi Ken,

I’m a 29 year old graphic designer who got started pretty late in my career, but I was determined to find work as a graphic designer and wade through all of the interviews where they all told me I needed “more experience”. This is a very vicious phrase to use on an employment candidate, since they’re trying to get work to get experience. It turns into a vicious cycle that can drive you crazy. Well, I’ve found work in-house for a non-profit company now and love what I do. But I feel as though I’ve lost many years experience, early on, by not finding full time design work after college. I hope I’m not alone in this and that I will be able to make up for time lost. I’m passionate about what I do, and take what I do very seriously. I’m not the best designer but I know I’m not bad either. So, my question is: can a designer, who had a late start in his career, still make it up to a creative director position later on in his or her life? I’m a very hard worker and am willing to put in the extra time to get the job done. Any advice you could give would be beneficial and appreciated.

Thanks,

David

David,

I feel your frustration. It wasn’t until my mid twenties when I started down this road. My career went from high school to the military, then a minor detour, then eventually graphic design. Unlike you though I wouldn’t say that I am aspiring to be a creative director, not that you shouldn’t. I really like the creative side of our business. The brainstorming and conceptualizing the big picture seeing the entire campaign coming together but I have also enjoyed the production, technical, software side of the business. The technical/production side at times is reminiscent of when I use to sit down and draw, fun and sometimes therapeutic.

To answer your question I definitely think it is possible. The key to getting there is to fix your focus on it and go for it. I would start by making sure that you fully understand what creative directors do and how they got there, which is probably different for all of them. You could ask creative directors that you know, and if you don’t know any, you might try approaching some of the design firm/agencies you respect and see if one of their creative directors will talk to you. I have found many people in our industry who are open to helping fellow creatives figure things out. If you decide to approach a design firm/agency you respect, be respectful. Creative directors are usually very busy and while they might be willing to talk with you they don’t have a lot of time to waste and still have a business to run. I wouldn’t hound them or show up unannounced. You might start with a phone call or an e-mail and see if you get any responses. You could also attend AIGA socials and events and find a creative director through networking at these events. Depending on your focus or end goal you could also look into the Houston Ad Federation or the Houston Art Directors Club and their events.

Once you have a clearer idea of what creative directors do it should be easier to plot a course and map out your own route. The general advice I would give you would be to: continue getting   experience, do great work, showcase your great work, network, compete in competitions, win awards and make a name for yourself. One of the easiest ways to move up in our industry is to produce great work and have that great work be seen by peers, competitors and employers/future employers. I would also learn the business not just design. Creative directors do more than just design and creative. As directors they also have to understand the business and handle the inevitable administrative duties and responsibilities that come with a senior management role (i.e. sales, budgets, payroll, HR/personnel, invoices, etc.).

I won’t tell you that you have an easy road ahead but I also think that most of the times the greatest rewards are down the toughest paths.

Ken

Question: Ask Ken – corporate clients and small biz

Hi there. I am a freelancer who has a DBA and has been freelancing for 15 years. I have always had either a short-term onsite corporate assignment or corporate work from home via my agent (high level work), which has kept my cash flow steady. Last year much of that work went away and I am trying to land my own corporate clients. I love my small business clients but I cannot live on their work alone.

Any suggestions as to how to get a large corporation to take an independent, experienced designer/project mgr seriously and actually award projects? And how to get my foot in the door?

Thanks.
Kristin

Kristin,

It sounds like you already have your foot in the door, now it is a matter of getting them to open the door wider. What I mean by that is, you have been freelancing for fifteen years, you have been working on short-term onsite “corporate” projects and some from home during that time. So you have some inside contacts (inside these companies). Sounds like you just need to leverage your network contacts. I may be over simplifying or I may not have enough information about your situation, but I agree for a lot of freelancers it is about getting your foot in the door or about getting corporate experience under their belt or on their resume. These don’t sound like they are issues for you.

I would suggest that maybe you need to work your network a little. I assume that in your corporate project/assignment work you dealt with someone on the inside and should have developed a good rapport with them, they liked your work and you have continued to work on assignments off and on. These network contacts are your foot in the door. If they were happy with what you did then they and who they know are your best ways into the company. We have all heard the adage “it’s not what you know but who you know”, business is as much about the relationships as it is the work. We are all willing to suggest a good restaurant to a friend or a good company when we have received good service or had a good experience. These contacts are your best advertisement for more work. I would tread lightly though, there is a fine line between networking and being annoying. I would definitely keep in touch, let them know what you are doing or trying to do but no one likes to be continually bugged or harassed. Foster the relationship, call or e-mail periodically, whichever gets a more favorable response. If you can, do lunch every so often, be visible and you are more likely to be remembered next time an assignment come up.

Beyond that, network, network, network. Join and frequent groups that are attended by your clients (future and present). A lot of corporate client work is awarded through marketing teams, and a lot of corporate marketing people frequent AMA (American Marketing Association) and BMA (Business Marketing Association) meetings, events and conferences. You might also expand your network by joining the AIGA (assuming you aren’t already a member) or the Art Directors Club of Houston. There are studio owners, agency members and some in-house creatives that might also give you an in to some companies. These are all great organizations to be a part of and not just for networking. You don’t even have to join if you want to check it out first. Just find out then the next event is and go, check it out and see if it is something worth your time and money.

Lastly, make sure that your resume/bio/credentials, whatever you are using, is set-up and targeted toward corporate clients as well as your portfolio/work samples. You need to come across as someone professional that can support their business.

Dear Ken,

I’m currently in the market for a job and after a few interviews am a little confused as to what is considered appropriate dress for a graphic design job interview. I know in most other career fields a suit and tie is mandatory but to be honest most of my graphic design friends mostly wear jeans and sneakers to work. Also am I alone in thinking that wearing a suit and tie is a little unnatural and gives the potential employer very little insight into my personality? Any help or insights you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Sincerely,

Underdressed and Overwhelmed

Underdressed and Overwhelmed,

Call me old fashion but I have always looked at an interview the way a lot of people look at church, “wearing their Sunday best”. An interview is usually the first time you will see your potential new employer and their first chance to look at you, and first impressions are very important. I personally haven’t done a lot of interviewing (from the interviewer side), but the interviewing I have done, I was always more receptive to a candidate that was prompt, polite and well dressed and not necessarily in that order. Dressing up to some people means that you are taking this seriously, that you mean business and it is also an indication that you understand protocol and business.

If you think about graphic design and in general what we do for a living, dressing up for an interview only makes sense. As designers a good part of what we do is “presentation”. When you design an ad, brochure, poster, etc. and you go to the client meeting to present the idea, what do you normally do? You dress up, you get a high quality print out and mount it to black, grey or some other nice presentation board, you might even put it into a dust jacket/cover. An interview is a meeting to “present” you and your work to one of your biggest clients, your new boss. We as designers get graded on presentation all of the way through the process, that is why people hire us, basically it is our job to make them look good, to “present” them well. With that in mind, if we can’t present ourselves well what can they expect when we present them or represent them.

I understand the need to be creative, expressive and rebellious, I can’t think of a creative person that isn’t that way to some degree. I realize that a lot of creative environments have loosened the dress code to make people more comfortable and foster creativity, but in a job market where competition is tight, do you want the deciding factor of your employment to be that you didn’t dress up and the other guy/girl did. I wouldn’t worry about tennis shoes and jeans until after you have gotten the job.

Regards,

Ken Bullock

If you have a design or career related question that would like Ken to answer please email them to info@houston.aiga.org or post them on our Facebook page.