GraphicDesignMe | Blog

Here’s a scenario:
An employer has posted a job opening on a well-known website and gets bombarded with applications.
The employer needs to weed out the crack pots from the legit people with the credentials.
There are lots or reasons that a company may not hire you, don’t let a lack of a professional look be one of them.

Looks are everything

Make sure your website reflects the kind or designer you are. I’m a full believer that your website should have some personality.

Don’t be something your not

If your a solo practicing freelancer DO NOT pretend that your a huge company. Believe it or not some clients want a small time freelancer so that they get individual attention.

Tips on what to include in your online portfolio

1. Include only your best work

This seams like an obvious one but I’ve seen many a portfolio where the designer had included every last piece ever done. Don’t include High School work unless your in High school. Edit liberally.

2. Write about your work

It’s always helpful to include details on the project you worked on, like date completed, client name, programs used, your role in the design, any other information that a future employer might find interesting.

3. Show you are versatile.

If your style ranges from conservative to funky, show it.

4. Show off your skills

If your also a web designer try to include some of your coding skills. If CSS is your strength play it up. Maybe jQuery or PHP is more your style? Make sure to show it off.

It’s almost a new year and time to take stock of your website situation. So are you looking for a reason to redesign your site? If your website has some or all of these you should seriously consider hiring a designer to take you into the new decade with a modern looking website.

1. Frames

If most of your site uses frames, you’re in design trouble. While the occasional iFrame might not be anything to worry about since they are often used for widgets, frames have been outdated for about 10 years. Get rid of them!

2.Intro/Splash Pages

Everyone had to have an intro/splash page in the early 2000s. Most used Flash with or without sound. And what do most users do when they see an intro page now…THEY LEAVE THE SITE. Or at the very least they get aggravated and try to find a way to get off it ASAP. Now, before your potential viewer/customer has even viewed one bit of your content, you’ve angered them. Not a good idea. It’s probably time for a redesign.

3. Flash

If your site was built with only Flash, it’s likely you’re SEO is suffering not to mention the usability of your website. You need to have some code in the backend of your site so google and other search engines can spider your site.

4. Tables

Tables were pretty much the way to layout a website a few years ago but that’s not what they were meant for — they were intended for formatting data. If your current site is designed using tables, it’s time for a redesign.

5. Trendy Designs

Web 2.0 glossy buttons — all the rage for the last couple of years — but that trend is starting to fade. Going they way of the hit counter, the scrolling marque and blinking text. Don’t wait until you’re the last site around using an outdated trend.

In my time as a graphic designer I’ve seen many a resume and I have to say about 70% of them to put it bluntly, sucked. Any resume that was designed in (shutter) Microsoft Word were pretty much overlooked. The others that has some kind of style went right to the top. Look, your applying for a DESIGN job, your resume is your first impression, for God sake’s DESIGN IT! Show off your layout skills, I guarantee your resume will get a second look. In a quick google search for graphic design resume examples I came across the following. What an awful example to set! The basic information is fine and all but if I saw a resume that looked like any of these they would go right into the trash. I guess what I’m saying is when it comes to designing your resume you better design your ass off!

Cover the basics

Start of by making sure that you include all the basic information.

Your vital information

1. Full name
2. Permanent address
3. Telephone number(s)
4. Email address
4. Website address

Major headings

1. Objective/Summery
2. Education
3. Computer Experience/ Software Knowledge
4. Work Experience
5. Awards/Organizations

Now design it

Your resume is as important if not more so then your portfolio. A well designed one will get you a second look even if your Experience is a little thin. Some things to consider:

Layout

The ultimate goal is for someone to read this so make sure your layout is clean and draws the eye around the page. Make use of grid systems and sticking with a color palette that makes sense.

Typography

Try to stick with some classic fonts that are easy on the eye to read. Serif fonts are always easier for the eye to navigate body copy, San Serifs are good for headers. Play with light and bold face type, extended and condensed, you get the idea. And remember NO COMIC SANS!

Imagery

If you have your own logo - use it - consider yourself a brand. You could also consider including some choice pieces of your portfolio - but limit it to about 3-4 at the most.

Here are two examples of some old resumes of mine. They are a little outdated now but at the time they got me in the door.

Hope you feel inspired, now go get ‘em!

UPDATE: To see my latest version of my resume download it here.

Well after a lot of headaches I finally have the blog up and running - although the design will more then likely change in the near future.

Why am I starting a blog?

So why am I joining the millions of bloggers out there? Good question.

1. I’ve been doing this design thing for over 10 years now and I think some young designers can learn from me.
2. I’ve got opinions and I wanna share them.
3. And hey, I ain’t gonna lie, I want more traffic to my site and bloging is a great and low/no cost way to do that.

So stay tuned, I hope this will be useful to all the budding designers out there as well as help all my future clients get to know me a little better.