Comments on: Ask Grace #1: Landing A Graphic Design Job

By: Grace

Grace — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:06:56 +0000

@Nikki I agree, though I think a lot of the problem lies in the fact many people confuse pro-bono with spec work, which are two very different things. Pro-bono work can be amazing for both sides – the client gets a great designer to work with and the designer gets to make a difference and add to their portfolio. Great suggestion as well on the graphic design portfolio, will get on that!

@Laura I’m shy as well but it’s something I’ve had to overcome since starting freelancing. Once you start going to a few events and meetups it gets easier, so go for it, because people are generally super nice and will make you feel welcome.

@Danh Thanks Danh, appreciate it, hopefully it helps some of your designer friends as well

By: grumpycow

grumpycow — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:58:32 +0000

Thank you so much for answering my question! It’s really got me thinking about a whole range of things I can start doing right now, which is exciting and very motivating. The resources you’ve included are excellent too. Really, really helpful post – thank you so much!

By: CSS Brigit | The Guide To Landing A Graphic Design Job

CSS Brigit | The Guide To Landing A Graphic Design Job — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 22:03:20 +0000

The Guide To Landing A Graphic Design Job…

The first question in this new series tackles the dilemma of finding a job as a Graphic Designer without much actual design experience….

By: Danh Hoang

Danh Hoang — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:27:12 +0000

Great info Grace. This is a post I will share with many of my fellow designers currently on the streets. Hope you have a great weekend!

By: Laura Earley

Laura Earley — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:13:34 +0000

Glad you mentioned network, it’s so important, but so difficult. I’m a shy person, I admit it, and I think it gets in the way of me really getting out to events and getting to know important business leaders, designers, and potential clients/jobs. It’s not in my nature to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and shove my business card in their face. That being said, I just need to get over it and do it. It’s about your talent, drive and who you know in this industry.

Great first Ask Grace post, I look forward more of them!

By: Nikki Jeske

Nikki Jeske — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:43:36 +0000

I think people don’t do enough pro-bono work. There are so many articles for freelancers about not doing free work, but I think by being so adamant about this, they lose sight of one of the reasons we do web design in the first place: to make the internet a more user-friendly and beautiful place. Sometimes, doing pro-bono work for a non-profit organization or an animal shelter or a local food pantry can not only make their websites beautiful, it also has that added bonus of putting a lot more good out into the world for those who need it. I’m glad you added pro-bono work to this.

Also – thank you for the resources for the printed portfolio! I would love to see something even more detailed in another Ask Grace post. How did you create your bound portfolio? How did you print it out? What binding did you use? What sizes? When I created one for my current job, I couldn’t find anything online so I winged it. I’d like to see what your process was.

I’m excited to see more Ask Grace posts – this one is awesome.