How to Develop a Graphic Design Portfolio

A graphic design portfolio is the best way to display and showcase your past
projects, creativity, and talent. A graphic design portfolio is vital when
trying to pursue opportunities as a graphic designer within a company or as a
freelance graphic designer pursuing clients. The graphic design portfolio can
contain any number of items, in several different formats.

The first important step in developing a graphic design portfolio is deciding
what work to include. You should only include your highest quality work in your
graphic design portfolio. If you include mediocre work in your graphic design
portfolio simply because you are concerned about not having enough pieces in
your graphic design portfolio, you will lose important job offers and clients.
It is better to have a few pieces in your graphic design portfolio that really
showcase your talent and creativity than have many pieces that do not help you
build a solid reputation as a graphic designer.

The next step in developing a graphic design portfolio is deciding what type of
graphic design portfolio you want to create. There are four main types of
graphic design portfolios: printed pages in a binder, an online graphic design
portfolio, images placed on a graphic design portfolio CD, or a slideshow of
images placed on a graphic design portfolio DVD. Really, it is best to create
one of each type of graphic design portfolio so that you are fully prepared to
offer whatever your prospective employer or client is prepared to look at to
judge your talent and creativity as a graphic designer.

To create a graphic design portfolio of printed pages, you should choose only
your best work, and only the best quality printed copies. If you are unsure of
the quality of your home printer, put the images on a disk and have them
printed for you at a print shop. The best quality and most creative pieces can
look mediocre if not printed with high quality printing. You should then
present the pieces in a professional manner. The best color for a graphic
design printed portfolio is black, and the most professional style is leather.
This should be something that is spiral bound, a book, or a case so that you
can add or remove pieces from your graphic design portfolio easily as you
progress in your graphic design career.

To create a graphic design portfolio online, you will first need web space.
Website hosting and domain registration has become very cost effective. Most
websites also give you free website building tools so that you don't have to
know HTML. However, make sure that you sign up for website hosting with enough
bandwidth to handle all of the images and potential traffic. Once you have your
website set up, you'll want to choose your pieces carefully. Display them as
thumbnails on one page, with each full scale piece appearing on another page
when the thumbnail is clicked. This will give people with slower internet
access easier access to your online graphic design portfolio.

To create a graphic design portfolio on DVD or CD, you must have a computer
with a DVD or CD burner. To make really professional DVD or CD graphic design
portfolios, you will want to get a CD or DVD burning kit that allows you to
burn images onto the top of the CD or DVD and create labels for jewel cases.
You can either save individual pieces on the CD or DVD, or you can simply save
a copy of your website on the disc.

Where to Find Graphic Design Jobs

Whether you are just out of school or simply feeling ready for something new,
good graphic design jobs abound. We are living in a visual society; most of us
spend hours on the internet perusing site after site. Every one of these sites
has visuals, and those visuals were designed by someone. That someone could be
you. And even if you don't want to explore graphic design jobs centered around
the web, there are so many other areas, packaging, print design, advertising,
marketing and within all of these areas there are graphic design jobs that you
may be able to fill.

Where do I start? Start looking on the internet. Enter "graphic design jobs"
into your favorite search engine and start exploring. You'll find many
different types of sites -- almost all involve job searches by type of job and
location. If you want to apply for any of these jobs you will need your resume
and portfolio. So be ready. Some will be standard job search sites and others
will be professional organizations. Spend some time just looking through the
sites and saving sites that you will want to return to. I recommend making a
"graphic design jobs search" folder in the "favorites" or "bookmarks" section
of your browser. Use this when you save the links you want to return to.

If you are a member of a professional organization this is a great place to go
first. As a student you can join reasonably. Often there are o associate
memberships that are also economical. Being a member of a professional
organization also looks good and adds credibility on your resume.

Preparing for your graphic design jobs search.

You know where you want to go. Now you need to get ready. Is your resume ready?
You can find sites on the internet that show you how to write resumes and give
you guidelines for assessing the one you currently have. If you think you need
more experience to include in your resume, volunteer to do some jobs for
non-profit organizations. Make sure you do an excellent job and ask them if
they will be a reference you can include on your resume.

You will also need a portfolio in your search for graphic design jobs. There
are several kinds of portfolios -- paper, web and DVD/CD portfolios. Again, you
can learn a lot about refining your portfolio by searching the internet for
information about designing a portfolio. Many of the job search sites,
especially professional organizations allow you to upload your portfolio to
their site, along with your resume. With others you can post your resume, but
not the portfolio.

It may be worth the time and money to have your own web site so that you can
put a link to your portfolio in your resume. If your search for graphic design
jobs includes web design, then make sure that your web site is a reflection of
the work that you can do in this area. Take time with it. Keep refining and
changing it. Ask people to view it and give you comments, especially past
instructors or mentors. In fact, it's a good idea to have your present or past
instructors or mentors review all your job search materials, resume, portfolio,
DVD/CD, and web site.

Now, you are ready to find graphic design jobs that fit your skills and talent.

Doing Pro Bono Graphic Website Design

There are many reasons to do pro bono work as a graphic website designer.
First, beginning graphic website designers or graphic website design students
can get valuable experience from doing pro bono graphic website design work for
non profit organizations and low budget organizations such as Boy Scout troops,
Cub Scout packs, and Churches.

Another reason to do pro bono work as a graphic website designer is tax breaks.
The hours you spend working on graphic website design for free can be deducted
from your taxes at the end of the year as a charitable donation. Check with
your accountant or tax preparer to determine the most reasonable rate, but
highest rate, that you can get away with charging per hour for your tax
deductible hours so that you can claim them as a charitable donation.

The other reason to do pro bono work as a graphic website designer is
experience and to build your portfolio. If you are a graphic website design
student or you are just starting your graphic website design career, this can
be a fantastic opportunity. Build your graphic website design resume with work
that shows not only your talent but your big heart and community spirit. Build
your graphic website design portfolio to increase career opportunities. And
build experience and education with on the job training and experience in
graphic website design.

With the internet growing daily by leaps and bounds, it is no wonder that
everyone wants a professional graphic website designer on their side to create
an awesome website with even greater graphic design so that they can compete
with larger organizations. With all of the churches, cub scout packs, boy scout
troops, school activities, day cares, home businesses, small businesses, and
children's organizations out there today, the average graphic website designer
should have no problem finding pro bono graphic website design work.

Once you have found pro bono graphic website design work, you need to treat it
just as you would any other freelance graphic website design assignment or
project. That means you have to find out what the client wants in their graphic
design website. Create a creative brief so that you and the client are on the
same page with where you are going with their graphic website design project.
You also need to set up a work schedule and time line for the client so that an
expected completion date can be given to the client for completion of the
graphic design website.

Once the pro bono graphic website design project is completed, follow up with
the organization to make sure that they are happy with their graphic design
website. Then, keep in touch with the organization in the future. This will
open up networking possibilities for graphic website design freelance projects
in the future with paying clients. It will also open up possibilities for more
pro bono graphic website design freelance projects for that and other
charitable organizations.

Overall, doing pro bono graphic website design work is a great, fulfilling,
rewarding way to gain additional experience, graphic website design samples for
the beginning graphic artists portfolio, and tax breaks for the freelancing
graphic website designer.

Making Your Graphic Designs Stand Out and Shout

The multiplicity of graphic designs and the elements that make up the designs
themselves sometimes seems overwhelming. How can you make your graphic designs
stand out and shout. Yes! Shout! Shout to the customers they are supposed to
reach!
If your graphic designs shout, then they attract attention in an already over
advertised world. Today every prospective customer sees at least thousands of
messages a day. Which one will they remember? The one that rises above the
others, the one that has be most to say, the one that speaks the loudest to
them. And once it has their attention, the one that engages them the most.

Shout it out! Use visuals that make a lot of noise! The human brain is visual,
so visuals are crucial to making graphic designs that have a built-in
megaphone. The best visual megaphone is color. Wild vibrant color attracts the
eye. Use visuals and color to make a statement that is loud and bold.

Visuals come in a lot of forms -- original hand done illustrations, stock
illustrations, original digital illustrations, stock digital illustrations,
original photography and stock photography. The first question to ask yourself
when choosing visuals for your graphic designs is, "Is it bold?" The Second,
"Does it say what I need it to say?" The third is "Does it stand out?" Be
careful of the use of Stock Photography and Illustrations and don't use images
that have been overused. Be aware of what looks and images are being used in
the graphic designs you see around you in books and magazines and on the web.
Try to stay away from those looks and images, or you'll blend in with the rest.
And you want to Stand out, Shout it out!

Ask bold questions in your graphic designs. Questions engage the mind, pull
people in, and bold ones stay in the memory. Loud, memorable, engaging --
that's what you are going for. Engaging questions often remind the potential
client of their pain, the problem they need to solve. Of course the solution is
the product or service for which you are designing.

Speaking of what you need your graphic designs to say, be sure that your end
statements are benefits, benefits, benefits. What's in it for the customer or
viewer. That's what the whole game is about. If you don't speak to how you can
solve the customer's problem, how you can bring the client value, then no
matter how loud it is, they won't remember or pay attention. It just won't
interest them.

And use bold and relevant type to ask the questions or provide solutions. Make
it easy to read, and be sure that it visually and emotionally matches the
message, the audience you are attempting to reach and the product or service
that is being sold. Don't use garbage type in graphic designs intended to speak
to a more sophisticated audience, and don't use sleek elegant type to talk to
the younger crowd.

So in summary, design to have your graphic designs Shout to their prospective
audience. Make sure they can be heard above the visual and verbal din of
today's commercial world. Be bold, use color to make noise, engage the mind and
talk benefits, benefits, benefits.

Graphic Design that Sparkles

Sparkle! Shine! Be noticed! Attract customers! That's what you want for your
product or service. But how do you attain that?

Great graphic design is the key! Graphic design that creates sparkle and pizzaz
and magnetizes your target clients to you is what you are looking for. When you
begin to look for the right graphic designer, it can seem that there are way
too many to choose from. Most will have a graphic design portfolio on line.
This is the place to start.

What is it that sets one apart from another? How do you judge graphic design
for yourself? It's not an easy task, because it also involves personal taste,
but here are some basic design elements that will help as you look at their
portfolios.

Emotional Response. Take the time to look at their work and see how it affects
you. Do you like it? Does it make you want to know more, buy more? Do you
respond in some way? It is usually an effective emotional response that make us
want to act or buy. In the graphic design you are reviewing you want to assess
the degree to which the pieces initiate an emotional response.

Use of White Space. Probably the first and foremost consideration is the use of
white space in the graphic design. Is the message presented simply with lots of
surrounding space, or is the space cluttered and you don't know where to look
next. Examine a number of the graphic design pieces in the designer's
portfolio. Knowing how and when to use white space is a talent and an art. Does
this designer have it?

Simple Easy to Understand Message. Just like white space, the message should be
simple and easy to understand. Competing messages don't make for sparkle and
notice in graphic design.

Meaningful Unique Bold Graphics. Our brains process visually, so the visual
message is very important, often more important than the words. How clear and
bold are the graphics in the work of the design you are considering. Do you get
the message immediately? Are the visuals different and unique or do you have the
feeling that you've seen them before. Is the designer using the same "stock"
images as everybody else or do they find new and unique ways to present their
message.

Effective use of Type or Fonts. Does the type style match the emotional feel of
the piece? Does is help the message to stand out. Is it readable?

Benefits. While benefits are a selling point and not really a part of the
design itself, they are a very important part of what makes a piece sizzle and
sparke, because it's the benefits that magnetize clients to you. So be sure
your designer has included benefits in their design pieces.

Drama. Does their graphic design work have drama? Drama engages the reader,
involves the reader, keeps them looking and then remembering long after they've
seen the piece. This is another part of what creates magnetism.

Spend some time with each online portfolio. Talk to the graphic designer. As
for references and then, talk to their clients to get a feel for how well their
work has produced results. How happy were they with the graphic design services
they received. Would they use the designer again?

With all this information, finding the right graphic design firm to create
sparkle, sizzle and magnetism for your product or service should be a cinch.

Getting Into a Graphic Design Firm

So, you have finished your college education or are close to getting that
Bachelor's Degree in graphic design completed, and you're looking to get your
foot in the door at a good, stable graphic design firm. But, you don't know
where to start.

Getting into a graphic design firm can be difficult or easy, depending on your
luck and the resources available to you.

The best way to get your foot in the door at a graphic design firm is through
an internship program. Internship programs with local graphic design firms
should be available through your college or university internship programs. If
you are not sure if this assistance is available for graphic design firms in
your area, ask your graphic design university or college department head. When
all else fails, you can contact graphic design firms on your own to request
interviews and information about possible internship programs.

When looking for an internship in a graphic design firm, you need to consider
several things about yourself and what you are looking for in an internship at
a graphic design firm. Are you willing to work without pay or with little pay?
Many internship programs at graphic design firms do not pay their interns.

If you have a hard time finding an internship program in a graphic design firm,
you can always check out graphic design departments in other types of companies,
such as advertising agencies.

Using an internship is not the only way to get your foot in the door of graphic
design firms. You can talk to your academic advisor or career counseling center
within your college or university for help and options. If you have an
instructor in a graphic design course that you have impressed, you might find
that he or she has contacts with designers or management at local graphic
design firms. Alternatively, you may be able to get involved in a professional
association based on your credentials and references from your college or
university academic advisor, department head, or instructors. Contacts in these
professional associations can easily help you get your foot in the door of a
graphic design firm.

Once you have your foot in the door, you have to impress the decision making or
hiring managers within the graphic design firm. This requires showcasing your
best work. If you are doing an internship at a graphic design firm, do your
best work while you are there, and you might get a job offer. If you are going
to an interview that you've gotten through contacts at a graphic design firm,
make sure you come prepared with a professional graphic design resume and a
graphic design portfolio that showcases your best work.

As more and more people become interested in graphic design as a career, it
will become harder and harder to get into a good graphic design firm. However,
with careful planning, networking, and the help of your college or university
departments, getting into a graphic design firm should become a fluid
transition from education to experience.

All About Graphic Design Companies

Just as there are different areas of the graphic design industry, different
graphic design companies deal with different types of graphic design. The type
of graphic design that graphic design companies do depends on the type of
clients that the graphic design companies take and the audience for the graphic
design projects that the graphic design companies take.

Digital design graphic design companies use computers to design images, or
graphics, and manipulate them to create graphic design print images that are
then used in advertising, marketing, magazines, newspapers, and other media.
Typically, it is digital design graphic design companies that students have in
mind when pursuing an education in graphic design.

Multi media design graphic design companies create graphic design in various
forms of media for the internet and computer software. Multi media graphic
design companies often design websites and other computer related informational
media using graphics, digital film, digital photography, and type, manipulated
into eye catching and visually explanatory information sources. These graphic
design companies and the jobs they offer are also some of the most sought after
opportunities by graduating graphic design students.

Type design graphic design companies manipulate type setting into new,
creative, and innovative designs that catch the eye and grab the attention of
readers. These companies typically produce type design for magazines, websites,
newspapers, and other print media and advertising.

Film title design graphic design companies design film titles and the ways that
they appear on the screen in movies. The appearance and transitions of film
titles and opening credits often set the mood and emotional setting for the
film. Little thought is given to this area of graphic design companies, but it
is a very popular and necessary industry.

Many people do not realize that television uses graphic design companies to
create openings to television shows, certain television advertisements, and
other television media. Somewhat like film title design, television graphic
design companies create type and graphics whose design sets the mood for
television shows or catches the eye for television promotions.

Exhibit graphic design companies design graphics and manipulate images for
posters, movie posters, sales posters, art openings, and other large print
media. Signage graphic design companies create similar graphic designs for
stores, company vehicles, and other business related signs. Package graphic
design companies create the graphic and type designs for products, and are
important to the marketing mix that is involved in selling products and
services.

As you can see, there are many types of graphic design companies, and many
areas of graphic design to choose from. Before beginning education or a career
in graphic design, you should research the areas of graphic design and local
graphic design companies to determine what classes you should take and what
skills you need to develop. Often, the best way to determine these aspects of
graphic design is to visit local graphic design companies or their websites.
You can also get information from your local college or university, your local
department of labor, your local chamber of commerce, your local better business
bureau, or your high school guidance counselor.

Which of the Many Graphic Design Studios is A Fit for My Firm?

Your goal is to find just the right graphic design studio, so here's a plan. Do
a search for graphic design studios, and even localizing it for your area, there
will the tons of responses. And, in today's internet world, it's not necessary
for the firm to the local. That only broadens the scope of what's available to
you and increases the difficulty of making a decision.

So, how do you choose? Look first at what you need and it will be much easier.

Being clear about what you want and need, and able to clearly communicate that,
will make it much easier to see which of the graphic design studios is a fit.
Are you looking to focus your marketing efforts on print or the web. Do you
already have a logo or do you need one? What about CD or DVD production? Make a
clear list of what you want.

Who are your customers? Perspective graphic design studios will need to know
all about your target audience, so be ready to answer the "who", "what",
"where", "why", and "how" questions about them. Define your potential and
current clients in terms of their demographics such as age range, income range,
ethnicity, lifestyle, professional focus (if applicable), education, home
ownership, and mobility.

What are the reasons they buy your product or services. What pains or problems
do they experience and what solutions does your product or service offer? What
are the inherent benefits to the customer of buying your product or service?

How does your target audience use your product or service? What were your past
marketing efforts? Why did your past marketing efforts work, and why not? If
you don't know, that's okay. Bring along your past marketing materials and ask
your candidates what they think. This is another way to assess whether or not
you want to work with a particular studio.

Knowing your product or service, your market and what it is you want is just
half the equation. The other half is what you are looking for. Here are some
simple questions. You can rank the candidates on each of these on a 1 to 5
scale where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "Yes, absolutely".

Do they have access to all the services I need? You might want to make a list 
of the services and then rate the graphic design studio on each one.

Does the style of their work meet my taste criteria? Do they have experience
with my product or service?

Do I think I'll enjoy working with them? (This may not seem as important until
you're in the middle of a project. Then it will be crucial.)

Will they give me references? Are the references happy with the work they
received?

Okay, now you are armed and ready to choose from among the bounty of graphic
design studios. Remember the ones that come up first in your search know how to
optimize their web sites and if you are working on a web site, this may be
important to you.

Relationship Building to Market Your Graphic Design Studio

You've optimized your web site, tuned up your web page so it's stellar, and
still you want more business for your graphic design studio. Where do you go?
What do you do?

Go out and meet your potential clients in person! Many of your potential
clients are people oriented. They want to feel that they have a relationship
with the person with whom they do business. That personal connection is very
important so these particular clients would never dream of doing business with
someone just because their web site came up on the first page of the search
engine. These are the people who want personal contact, to meet you in person,
talk with you on the telephone, and get to know who you are.

It may take some time and effort to build these relationships, but once you do
you'll be very happy you did. With clients where you've built a personal
connection, the loyalty factor is much higher. They'll stick with you, giving
you repeat business over the years.

But, you ask, "How do I meet and attract them to do business with my particular
graphic design studio?"

Networking. Depending on the area of the country where you live, there are
numerous ways to meet potential clients in your area. Larger cities have a lot
of different networking groups. Even smaller towns and communities have clubs
and organizations which can be productive networking opportunities. Below are
some of the places you can find networking groups and the types of groups you
may find.

Chamber of Commerce -- Usually local chambers have networking events --
breakfast, lunch or evening cocktail mixers. You can come as a visitor the
first time and sometimes more than one time. After that they may require you to
join -- which is not a bad idea, if you want to build credibility for your
graphic design studio. Being able to say you are a member of your local Chamber
of Commerce enhances your credibility to people who find you via the web as well.

Business Networking Groups. These are groups that meet for the express purpose
of giving and getting business. Some of them meet weekly and some meet monthly.
Usually the ones that meet weekly are "exclusive" meaning that if you join as
their graphic design studio, no one else in the group will be doing graphic
design. The monthly meetings are often non-exclusive meaning that more than one
graphic design studio can join.

Other Networking Opportunities. The Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs and other
humanitarian organizations provide excellent opportunities to network while
contributing something back to your community. Alumni organizations, political
and school organizations also are excellent fields for networking.

Remember though. Relationships are usually not built overnight. They take time.
So, don't expect to show up once and go home with immediate business for your
graphic design studio. It may take several meetings for people get to know you
and what you do. So while it takes some effort on the front end, the clients
you'll get, will stay with you longer, because they know you and see you on a
regular basis.

Graphic Design Software -- The Battle for King of the Mountain

Long gone are the days when a graphic designer's tools were pen, pencil, brush,
exacto knife and illustration board. Today's designer relies almost exclusively
on graphic design software which is both expensive and constantly changing. At
some point or other, the designer has to decide to upgrade his or her present
software or change to another brand. And, then the designer must learn all the
new functions of this version of software. If the program interface changes
then the learning curve for the design professional can be very steep and
costly. On top of that, there's different graphic design software for desktop
publishing, web design, illustration, and photography.

For much of the last decade, the desktop publishing arena was ruled by Quark
Express. (Before that Adobe's PageMaker had been King of the Mountain.) Over
the past few years, Adobe has been making a serious bid to regain its
preeminence in desktop publishing with In Design. If Adobe squashes Quark it
will pretty much have a monopoly in graphic design software, having already
swallowed up Macromedia and much of its other competition.

At the end of 2005, Adobe concluded its acquisition of Macromedia which made it
the owner of Dreamweaver -- usually acclaimed as one of the best (and sometimes
the most difficult to use) web design software available. Dreamweaver has few
challengers in the arena of professional web design. Microsoft's Front Page
still provides services for non-professionals and some professionals who are
old-time PC users. Mostly though, Adobe, with the acquisition of Dreamweaver,
has attained a semi-monopoly here as well.

In graphic design software for photography there's only one acknowledged leader
-- Adobe Photoshop. While other programs exist for the casual user, for the
professional photographer Photoshop is the digital darkroom. Other companies
exist by producing "plug-in's for Photoshop, until Adobe buys them.

What about graphic design software for illustration? Again, Adobe is the
leader. With Adobe Illustrator used and recognized by the most professionals it
usually wins hands down against the competition. And, it's not always which
program is the easiest to use or has the most functions. It is which one is the
most compatible in the most places. Corel Draw, Canadian illustration competitor
to Illustrator is acknowledged by many to be easier and have more functions --
but the files are hard to use anywhere but with Corel. So that limits across
program functionality and thus its popularity.

One of the reasons InDesign is gaining so much ground is the ease of use with
all of the other graphic design software programs in the Adobe family. You can
move between them quickly and smoothly. Adobe now packages them as its Creative
Suite and so it becomes one-stop shopping.

But, what will happen if Adobe becomes King of the Mountain? Without
challengers, will it maintain the same quality and drive for excellence? And
what will happen to the price? Will it even out or just continue upward. If
you're the only ballpark, you can charge whatever rent you want?

About Graphic Design Schools

Once you have decided that you would like to become a graphic designer, you
need to get a college education. Without a Bachelor's Degree in graphic design,
you will find it extremely difficult to start a graphic design career. Finding
the graphic design school that is right for you can be difficult, because there
are a lot of graphic design schools to choose from.

Some graphic design schools offer certificate programs rather than degree
programs. These graphic design schools can be great if you need a quick
education. However, many graphic design firms look for graphic design resumes
that list education from prominent graphic design schools, colleges, or
universities. Therefore, these graphic design schools are not likely to be your
best option.

Most colleges and universities now offer graphic design schools or graphic
design programs. Community colleges will be less likely to be considered as
graphic design schools. Rather than picking a college or university by location
or cost, you should research graphic design schools in your area by requesting
graphic design degree program information and course catalogs. These materials
can then be compared so that you can choose the graphic design schools most
likely to help you succeed as a graphic designer.

You can also research graphic design schools in your area through professional
associations, your local chamber of commerce, and the better business bureau.
These resources can help you gain a better understanding of the differences
between the different graphic design schools. There are also a lot of websites
available online that offer free peer and alumni reviews of graphic design
schools, giving you an inside look at what the various graphic design schools
in your area have to offer.

Another option for those wishing to enter a career as a graphic designer is
online colleges, universities, and graphic design schools. American
InterContinental University Online (AIU) and Kaplan University are two of the
most prominent and widely known online graphic design schools. Online graphic
design schools have the advantage of flexibility in scheduling which can be
great for parents or working adults. However, it is important to understand
that degrees earned from online graphic design schools are often viewed as
being lower quality degrees than those earned from brick and mortar graphic
design schools.

Additionally, online graphic design schools are not for everyone. If you learn
better by seeing, writing, reading, and doing, then online graphic design
schools may be a good choice for you. However, if you are learn better by
listening, hands on instruction, and over the shoulder instruction, you are
better off attending brick and mortar graphic design schools. Most often, brick
and mortar graphic design schools are best. But in situations where going back
to school is a difficult decision, and time and scheduling are an issue, the
flexibility available with online graphic design schools can be quite
beneficial, and is often the only reason some people are able to go back to
school at all.

Overall, the decision of graphic design schools is up to you. The best advice
is to do your homework, research all options, and work with your high school
guidance counselors, instructors, and your parents to help you choose the
graphic design schools that will be the best fit for you and your future career
as a graphic designer.

Why Graphic Design Resumes Get Tossed

Many talented and capable graphic designers find their resumes filed in the
circular file bin, otherwise known as the trash can or recycling bin. Why do
these educated, talented, and worthy graphic designers get their graphic design
resumes tossed out? Typically, graphic design resumes get tossed due to simple,
avoidable mistakes that are made by many beginning graphic designers.

The first mistake that many people make when looking for their first job as a
graphic designer that gets their graphic design resumes tossed out is that they
try to display their talent within their resume, not through description, but
through vivid graphic design. Graphic design resumes should be simple and
professional. Fancy fonts, graphics, and page borders do not belong in graphic
design resumes. While they will grab the attention of the hiring managers,
these graphic design resumes will be promptly laughed at and tossed away.

The second most common mistake that many people make when creating graphic
design resumes is that they do not proofread their resume before sending it to
prospective employers. When there are mistakes, or even one obvious mistake, in
graphic design resumes, hiring managers automatically assume that the graphic
designer lacks attention to detail, and regardless of the qualifications that
the graphic designer may possess, these graphic design resumes also end up
tossed aside.

The third most common mistake that people make when creating graphic design
resumes is that they do not accurately showcase their abilities, skills, and
strengths in their graphic design resumes. Your employment history should not
only include dates and job titles, supervisor names and company names and
locations, but it should show your duties, accomplishments, and major
achievements. If your employment at a graphic design firm, or your efforts in
an internship, resulted in a benefit to the firm, you should include that
information in your employment history.

There are many other reasons that graphic design resumes get tossed aside in
favor of other, less qualified graphic designers. Listing employment history
that does not qualify you for the position sought is a common mistake. Listing
interests, hobbies, and other personal affiliations that do not have anything
to do with graphic design will also get graphic design resumes tossed out.

If you have a college education, belong to professional associations, or have
other certifications in graphic design you should list them in your graphic
design resumes. Be sure to include any detailed information that highlights
your skills and talents that were exhibited in your educational track. Graphic
design resumes that have little or no experience and do not include this type
of information will promptly be tossed out in favor of better qualified
candidates. However, you should not list your high school education on your
graphic design resumes unless you have not yet completed your college
education, or if you obtained significant skills or awards related to graphic
design while in high school.

Finally, make sure that your graphic design resumes do not contain any
falsified, fraudulent, or exaggerated information. Not only might this
unethical behavior get graphic design resumes tossed out, it could lead to
termination from employment gained through falsified or exaggerated graphic
design resumes.

Creating a Perfect Graphic Design Resume

In addition to your graphic design portfolio, you will need to create a graphic
design resume to outline your skills, experience, and education for prospective
employers and clients. The most important thing to remember when creating your
graphic design resume is that your portfolio is a separate item. Don't try to
showcase your skills as a graphic designer within your resume by using fancy
fonts, graphics you have created, page borders, or graphic page dividers. Keep
your graphic design resume simple, professional, and organized.

Your graphic design resume should be tailored to showcase the skills requested
for the opportunity or job offer that you are seeking. It is okay, and actually
a good idea, to keep a stock graphic design resume on hand, updating it whenever
you change positions or complete a significant freelance assignment. However, be
prepared to make changes to the organization of your graphic design resume if it
seems warranted by the opportunity you are seeking.

There are many things you should be sure to include in your graphic design
resume. Make sure you list all of the computer software, technologies, and
skills you have acquired, your level of expertise, and how long you have been
familiar with the skill, software, or technology. You should also list any
certifications or degrees you have received. If you do not have a college
degree but do have professional certifications or awards, you do not need to
list your high school education on your graphic design resume.

Your graphic design resume should also include information about your previous
employers or projects. This may sound obvious, but many graphic designers are
not aware of what information should be included in their experience. Any
significant freelance assignments and any industry related work experience
should be included in your graphic design resume. Do not list jobs like fast
food or retail in your graphic design resume. It should be geared to showcase
your talents in the graphic design field, and other jobs you have held on your
way to your chosen career as a graphic designer are unimportant.

Your experience section of your graphic design resume should show the month and
year of employment or the freelance assignment, and the month and year that the
employment ended. Your graphic design resume should also highlight specific
achievements at each position, or ways that the work you did or the freelance
assignment you completed benefited the company you were working for.

Make sure that in addition to any educational references and mentions that you
list all of your academic and professional achievements, significant projects,
awards, and certifications on your graphic design resume. Many graphic
designers neglect to include specific information in this section of their
graphic design resume.

Finally, the best thing you can do to make sure that your graphic design resume
is perfect is to proofread your graphic design resume. If you're not sure that
you have caught everything, have someone else proofread it as well. If you
submit a graphic design resume with errors of any kind, you will be labeled as
not being detail oriented, and you will not get the job or project that you are
applying for, regardless of your skills or talent.

Popular Graphic Design Magazines

Any serious graphic design student or graphic designer should subscribe to at
least one graphic design industry magazine. Graphic design magazines give
graphic designers and graphic design students the ability to keep up with
current graphic design trends, learn about new or coming graphic design
technology, and discover new graphic design opportunities. Graphic design
magazines can also give graphic design students information about graphic
design scholarships and graphic design compeitions.

One of the best graphic design magazines is HOW Magazine. This graphic design
magazine allows graphic designers to find information about graphic design
technology, freelancing as a graphic designer, and graphic design career
opportunities. Students of graphic design will find this graphic design
magazine helpful in its showcases of graphic design career opportunities,
graphic design schools, and graphic design events. Of interest for all graphic
designers and graphic design students is the stress that this magazine puts on
not just the how, but the why and the creativity of graphic design.

Graphic Design USA is another fabulous graphic design magazine. This graphic
design magazine has technology information for serious graphic designers to
keep up with industry news. Graphic Design USA magazine also has resources for
students of graphic design, as well as contests and scholarship programs. The
online version of Graphic Design USA magazine also has opportunities for free
graphic design stuff, and a graphic design online newsletter that can be
emailed to your inbox weekly.

Print Magazine is yet another great graphic design magazine. This graphic
design magazine seems to tend more toward the creativity side of graphic
design. With regional and nationwide graphic design contests, student graphic
design contests, and other graphic design competitions, this graphic design
magazine is a must for students of graphic design or those just starting a
career in graphic design. The online version of Print Magazine offers graphic
design forums, a free graphic design newsletter, and other free graphic design
stuff.

DT&G, (Design, Type, and Graphics) Magazine is an online only publication for
graphic designers. This graphic design online magazine offers the option to
read on the web site, or on a text only email edition that is sent out around
the first of every month to subscribers. Not only does this online graphic
design magazine offer industry news, graphic design technology information, and
other graphic design features, but it also offers reviews of graphic design
software, graphic design books, and other graphic design resources. Anything
graphic design related, big or small, might be included in this online graphic
design magazine.

There are many other graphic design resources and graphic design magazines that
can be found both on and off of the internet. Serious graphic designers and
graphic design students should subscribe to at least one graphic design
industry publication in order to keep up with the latest graphic design
industry news. If you would like to find more graphic design magazines and
resources, do an internet search for graphic design magazine and be amazed at
the wealth of graphic design information available to you in this type of
graphic design forum.

All About Cyprus Graphic Design

Cyprus graphic design is becoming increasingly popular in the graphic design
world, especially in web graphic design. Cyprus may be an out of the way
country, but Cyprus is the home to some of the best and most talented web site
graphic designers in the world. Cyprus graphic design is becoming so popular,
that when first researching the topic one might think that Cyprus was some type
of graphic design software!

Most Cyprus graphic design web site design has to do with e-commerce web sites,
business web site graphic design, and shopping cart graphic design. Cyprus
graphic design web site designers have discovered new and innovative ways to
organize business web sites, including shopping carts, queues, catalogs, and
other business related online graphic design solutions. The best business web
sites are created and designed by Cyprus graphic design professionals.

Doing a search for Cyprus graphic design will bring up hundreds of companies
that offer web site and graphic design services in Cyprus, and over a million
total search results will appear for Cyprus graphic design. Therefore, this
article will touch on the most popular web sites and web search results for
Cyprus graphic design, saving you the time and effort of sifting through the
massive amount of Cyprus graphic design information to find what you are
looking for.

The most popular Cyprus graphic design web site designer is Idea Seven. This
company provides all types of scripts and other fancy web site business site
enhancements like shopping carts and online catalogs through innovative graphic
design technology, creativity, and ability. Cyprus graphic design web sites
created by Idea Seven include some of the leading companies in the small
business and graphic design world.

Cyprus Web Design Company goes one step further than Idea Seven. Cyprus Web
Design Company not only utilizes the most up to date business web site graphic
design technology for your business web site, but they also handle web site
domain hosting, web site domain registration, and web site promotion. However,
do not let the fact that Cyprus Web Design Company is so versatile. Cyprus Web
Design Company is still one of the very best graphic design web site design
companies available through the internet today.

Due to the vast number of Cyprus graphic design companies, Cyprus graphic
design firms, and Cyprus graphic design freelancers, there are many directories
on the internet that can help you find information about Cyprus graphic
designers. One of the best Cyprus graphic design directories is Design
Firms.Org. This organization lists a great range of Cyprus graphic design
companies, Cyprus graphic design firms, and Cyprus graphic design freelancers.
Design Firms also offers a rating and review system for the Cyprus graphic
design resources listed there.

As you will find when you begin your own Cyprus graphic design research, there
are a vast number of Cyprus graphic design resources available. There are
Cyprus graphic design companies. There are Cyprus graphic design firms. There
are Cyprus graphic design freelancers. And, finally, there are numerous sources
of general Cyprus graphic design information.

Available Graphic Design Books

There are many graphic design books available for those interested in graphic
design, students of graphic design, and those in a graphic design career. Books
for graphic designers that are starting out should not try to keep up with books
for experienced graphic designers. You should keep in mind your level of
expertise in graphic design, as well as your level of interest in graphic
design, when deciding what graphic design book to buy or check out from the
library. Those looking for information as a student of graphic design will wish
to seek out more specific information than those who are seeking knowledge of
graphic design as a hobby.

Student Graphic Design Books

A great graphic design book for students wishing to pursue a career in product
graphic design is called Design Secrets: Products: 50 Real Life Projects
Uncovered. This graphic design book analyzes product graphic design for various
projects. It includes information such as the graphic designer's motivation
behind the project, client specs, and other information. This graphic design
book is a great way for graphic design students to learn more about product
graphic design.

Universal Principles of Design: 100 Ways to Enhance Usability, Influence
Perception, Increase Appeal, Make Better Design Decisions, and Teach Through
Design (long title, I know) is another great graphic design book for students
of graphic design. This graphic design book gets back to basics, leaving the
technological and creative aspects of graphic design behind in favor of looking
at the general purpose of graphic design. It is a must for starting graphic
design students, or those interested in pursuing a career in graphic design.

Hobby Graphic Design Books

A new book called Take Control of Fonts in Mac OS X, Tiger by Sharron Zardetto
Aker is a great graphic design book for anyone using a Mac OS X computer
operating system. This new operating system makes dealing with fonts very
difficult, and this graphic design books gives you hints, tips, and tricks to
manage your fonts in this computer operating system more effectively.

The Non-Designers Design Book by Robin Williams (not that Robin Williams!) is
another great graphic design book for hobbyists and those in other professions
that find themselves using graphic design for work or play. This book has a
wealth of information that can also make it a great candidate for students
interested in pursuing a career in graphic design.

Graphic Design Books for Extensive Study

The Complete Guide to Digital Graphic Design is a great graphic design book for
beginning, student, or experienced graphic designers that are struggling with
the technological aspect of graphic design. This book is a must for experienced
graphic designers and students of graphic design alike.

Overall, there are so many graphic design books available that it would be
impossible to list them all here. If you would like to know more about graphic
design or would like to get a graphic design book, check your local book store,
your local library, online library catalogs, and online book stores for more
graphic design book options.

Careers in Computer Graphic Design

Careers in graphic design are expected to be one of the largest and fastest
growing job markets through 2014. Most careers will be in computer graphic
design, website design, and computer animation design. Competition will
continue to be steep, even though a lot of jobs are available for someone
pursuing a career in computer graphic design. This is because computer graphic
design is a popular area of study, and many people pursue computer graphic
design as either a career, a hobby, or a part time freelancing gig.

Careers in computer graphic design require a four year college degree, or
Bachelor's Degree. Some technical positions can be obtained with only a two
year college degree, or Associate's Degree. However, these computer graphic
design careers will not go far without further education. It is important to
understand the need for formal education if you want to pursue a career in
computer graphic design.

About thirty percent of those in a computer graphic design career work
independently as freelancers. About have of computer graphic design career
seekers who work as freelancers are also holding steady jobs in computer
graphic design or other computer related careers. Freelancing is definitely a
viable option for those pursuing a career in computer graphic design, as small
businesses and individuals continue to have more need for computer graphic
design services, but cannot afford the rates of computer graphic design firms.

There are many other careers in computer graphic design. You can seek a career
in computer graphic design in print or audio advertising, television or film
media, and book or magazine publishing. You can seek a career in computer
graphic design in large or small computer graphic design firms, giving you a
wider variety of work, but a steady stream of work. Or, you can seek a career
in computer graphic design as a freelancer, giving you a wider variety of work,
but the need to work hard to keep clients coming so that you have a steady
stream of work.

If you wish to pursue a career in computer graphic design, a college degree,
desire, and knowing where you want to go is not enough. You need to develop
skills in computer graphic design software and other computer related skills.
You will also need to develop a portfolio, which is a collection of your best
computer graphic design work. These computer graphic design portfolios are
often the deciding factor on who gets a job and who is still waiting to start
their computer graphic design career.

Once you have completed your education and you know where you are going, the
next step in your pursuit of a career in computer graphic design is to find
that first, entry level job. Computer graphic design jobs can be found through
online job boards, classified ads both in print and online, and through your
college or universities job placement center. Freelance computer graphic design
jobs can be found through online job boards, classifieds, and work for hire job
boards. Work for hire job boards work much better for computer graphic design
careers than other careers, because everyone understands that computer graphic
design is an expensive endeavor.

Good luck in your computer graphic design career!

Graphic Design Firms Can Make a Difference

There's a lot of focus on the need for change in the world. More and more our
attention is turning to helping those in more need than ourselves. A number of
millionaires have been in the news with their funding of good works around the
globe.
The Gates have set up a foundation to help with AIDS in Africa. Warren Buffet
donated billions to the Gates Foundation. Oprah has started a Leadership
Academy for Girls in South Africa and now she's doing a reality TV show
creating a competition of multiplying people's efforts to make a difference.
These are just a few examples.

Have you been wondering how you can make a difference in the world? Do you have
a desire to contribute, but not the budget that would make that possible?
There's plenty of ways you can make a change in what you see around you.
Donating your time and skills is one of those ways.

Graphic design firms all over the country are seeing that their skills are an
important donation. Non-profit organizations are very much in need of graphic
design. Firms like yours are signing on to provide all the skills that
non-profits use to get their message out -- logos, print advertisements,
posters, invitations for fund raisers, multi-media presentations, newsletters,
photography and other needs. Do you have skills you are willing to donate?

How do you decide who, what, where and how? First answer this question. What's
important to you, what would you like to see change. Is literacy important to
you? How about finding homes for the homeless? Or, making sure people have
enough to eat? Providing job training for homeless people or ex-addicts trying
to get back on their feet might be another cause you feel strongly about. (You
do need to feel strongly about it, or you're not going to like the hours you're
putting in without pay.) For every idea mentioned above there's probably at
least one and more than likely several non-profits in your community providing
these services. And, most of them are operating on limited budgets. Their flows
of Federal and State monies have been cut dramatically in the last few years and
more and more they need to depend on private donations.

Decide what you are willing to do and how much time you have. Be sure to be
realistic. This is one area where you don't want to back yourself into a corner.

Think you don't have enough time? Put together a consortium of graphic design
firms to make the contribution. Each one of you can take a different piece of
graphic pie that needs to be produced. With multiple skills from several
graphic design firms you'll be able to make a substantial contribution to a
non-profit of your choice. And, you'll likely multiply the value of our
contribution. Especially if that contribution involves the design of
invitations for a fund-raiser, or a multi-media presentation designed to raise
funds for the organization.

See, you and other graphic design firms like yourself can make a huge
difference in the world. So, what are you waiting for? Who's going to receive
your volunteer services?

How Can I Be Sure I'm Hiring a Professional Graphic Design firm?

"I need a professional graphic design firm to do my logos, stationery, web
design and brochures. I've met several graphic designers at networking groups.
I've looked at a ton of web sites. How can I be sure I'm hiring a professional
graphic design firm that can meet all of my needs?"

A professional graphic designer will have a full range of services available to
meet your needs. These include print and web design, Flash and video work,
photography and illustration, resources for quality and affordable printing,
and other marketing services. The professional graphic design firm also uses
professional tools, like Adobe In Design or Quark, Photoshop, Dreamweaver or
Cold Fusion to just name a few.

Look at the firm's clientele. What size firms are they servicing? What services
are they providing for those companies? Do the services they provide cover a
full spectrum of graphic and marketing services? Professional graphic design
firms will have access to and be using a wide variety of resources. You can ask
for the full list of their services if they aren't already included in their
on-line web sites.

Once you've narrowed your list down to two or three firms, ask for references
and call each one of them personally. Getting your business off on the right
foot is at stake here. Take the time to really understand what their clients
think of them. Here are a few questions you might ask. This is not an
exhaustive list, so before you start calling add any additional questions you
can think of to it.

Did the services they provide include the following: logos, stationery,
business cards, marketing post cards, advertising concepts and print
advertising, brochures, newsletters, press releases, marketing CD's or DVD's,
web design, web optimization and market research.

For each of the services that were provided ask how happy the client was with
the end product. Was it delivered on time and within budget? Did it produce the
desired results? What were the downsides of working with the firm from this
client's point of view? What were the upsides? All in all, how happy were they
with the products produced? Would they call this firm a professional graphic
design firm? Why or Why not?

Once you've made the reference calls, take the time to look at the results of
each interview. If you rate each of your potential firms on a 1 to 5 scale on
the above elements, you'll find on that a leader begins to emerge.

Then ask yourself some additional questions as well. Which of the professional
graphic design firms you are considering has experience in your field? Which
one does work that you like and feel is effective? It's time for your personal
taste to be brought into the decision making considerations. On a more personal
front, which of the people do you think you'll like working with more?

Once you've considered all of these factors, a clear decision should emerge. If
it doesn't, take the top two and -- flip a coin because you've done all the
relevant homework.

Medical Graphic Design - A Specialty That Covers a Lot of Territory

You have a new company or new product focused in the medical and health field
and you want to do the best possible job of marketing it. How do you do that?
You can go the traditional route and find an advertising agency or graphic
design firm to assist you with getting your message out. Or, you can find a
firm or studio that specializes in medical graphic design. They will have both
a depth and breadth of relevant experience that will give you an edge in
crafting your message and creating visuals that attract appropriate clients.

What services do I look for?

Medical Illustration. A key component of medical graphic design is medical
illustration and the presence of a certified medical illustrator or an
illustrator that is a member of the Association of Medical Illustrators. If
it's not online, ask to see their illustration portfolio.

Medical Animation. Telling the story of what your product or service does may
require animation -- either using Flash for your web site or 3-D Animation.
Expertise in on-line rapid downloads, as well as producing CD's and DVD's for
marketing and sales purposes is something you want to be sure of. A good
medical graphic design studio will have either in-house ability or an on-going
connection with medical animation resources.

Medical Web Design. Today, one of the most important marketing tools is your
web site. And not just the design, but the optimization as well. The medical
graphic design studio you are looking for will have success stories and their
clients will fare well in internet searches. As part of your evaluation, assess
if you like this medical graphic design firms web site, and then do the same
assessment of their clients.

Medical Print Design. To go from web to print, the studio must show experience
in translating 3-d explanations into 2-d graphics that focus on communicating
the benefits of your product to your target audience. Benefits is the key word
here. What's in it for your potential client? Examine their portfolio. The work
of a good medical graphic design studio will focus on benefits. If the brochure
you see makes you want to know more or to buy, you have the right firm.

Photography for the Medical Graphic Design Field. Again, medical photography is
a specialty. Does the studio have a medical photographer in-house or a
relationship with one they use often? Check the portfolio. Look at the clients
that have used their work.

Ask for References.

Finally, pick 2 or 3 firms that you like and ask for references. Then call the
clients and ask about the firms services.

- How satisfied were they with the services they received - Did the medical
graphic design studio deliver on schedule - Did the web site, brochures, etc.
deliver the promised results - Would they use them again? Why or Why not? -
Were they easy to work with when there were changes?

Rate each of the firms on a 1 to 5 scale. Putting your impressions into numbers
often assists in becoming clearer about what you've learned in your interviews.

Graphic Design Networking in Boston

If you are a graphic designer or graphic design student in Boston, you will
want to network with other graphic designers. Networking with other designers
in Boston will allow a student of graphic design to gain insight into their
graphic design education. New or up and coming graphic designers will benefit
from networking by landing new jobs, freelance gigs, and finding new insight
into their graphic design career. More experienced graphic designers in Boston
will benefit from networking by advancing their careers and keeping up on the
latest graphic design technology.

Finding networking opportunities in graphic design is Boston can actually be a
very easy thing to do. You simple need to know where to look to find fellow
graphic designers and graphic design students. This may include graphic design
clubs, graphic design professional associations, and graphic design groups.

One such graphic design group in Boston is called the Boston Graphic Design
Meet Up Group, easily found on the web. In addition to online resources, The
Boston Graphic Design Meet Up Group meets once per month to network, learn from
one another, keep up on graphic design technology, and just have fun. This is a
great networking opportunity for graphic design freelancers in Boston, graphic
designers in Boston, and graphic design students in Boston.

BostonWorks is another great resource for those involved in graphic design in
Boston. BostonWorks offers graphic design job listings in Boston, networking
events for graphic designers in Boston, and graphic design job fairs in Boston.
BostonWorks also provides listings and open houses for graphic design schools in
Boston and graphic design newsletters. Especially for graphic design students
and those just starting a career in graphic design, BostonWorks can be a great
opportunity.

The Boston Business Journal can be another source of networking and graphic
design information. Since graphic design is becoming one of the biggest
industries in the Boston area, the Boston Business Journal has a section
specifically for graphic design networking information, graphic design school
information, and graphic design technology updates. This can be fantastic
graphic design information, especially for graphic design students and those
just beginning careers in graphic design in Boston.

The American Institute of Graphic Arts, while located in New York, has
excellent online and off line networking opportunities for graphic designers in
Boston. The American Institute of Graphic Arts holds a graphic design convention
every year, in different locations. This year's graphic design convention will
be held in Denver, Colorado. The American Institute of Graphic Arts has many
online networking opportunities for those involved in graphic design in Boston,
such as message boards and directories.

The resources for Boston graphic design listed here are just the beginning.
Performing an internet search for Boston graphic design networking should give
you even more information and opportunities for networking in Boston. The
graphic design industry is booming in Boston these days, and anyone serious in
graphic design, graphic design students, and anyone wishing to extend their
graphic design careers should not have any trouble at all finding networking
opportunities in graphic design in Boston.

Austin Area Graphic Design Freelancer Resources

Working as a freelancer in graphic design can be very challenging. Not only do
you have to find your own graphic design clients, do all of your own graphic
design work, and handle all of your own graphic design office tasks, you are
also on your own with keeping up with graphic design information, technology,
and resources. The best way to keep up with these types of information about
graphic design is through networking. There are many networking and client
finding resources for graphic design freelancers in the Austin area.

Freelance Austin is possibly the best available resource for the graphic design
freelancer. This organization offers a graphic design freelancer directory for
Austin business owners to search and locate a graphic design freelancer. There
are also many graphic design networking events, and various freelancer meetings
and events. While Freelance Austin is not specifically for graphic design
freelancers, it does put the graphic design freelancer in contact with other
industry professionals as well as potential clients. This Austin freelance
organization is, if nothing else, a great way to generate referrals for clients
for the graphic design freelancer.

Publishers Resource Group is a great resource for any freelancing graphic
designer to be aware of. Rather than a networking organization or graphic
design professional association, Publishers Resource Group is simply an
organization that routinely, and preferably, uses freelance graphic designers
for all of their publishing needs. Based in Austin, this curriculum designing
company hires freelancers for type design, cover graphic design, and all other
graphic design projects.

Creative Freelancers online is another great graphic design freelancer
resource. Carefully screened graphic design freelancers are listed in a graphic
design freelance directory. Clients then look through the available graphic
design freelancers, go through online graphic design portfolios and resumes,
and then contact the graphic design freelancer through the Creative Freelancers
web site. This is a great way to get qualified clients and leads for your
graphic design freelancing business. Best of all, there are not many listings
in the Austin area, so anyone looking to get in on the ground floor of this web
site in the Austin area should get themselves listed as soon as possible to take
advantage of the many Austin graphic design freelancing opportunities that may
become available.

The Oasys Network is another great online graphic design freelancer resource.
This web site allows all graphic design freelancers to post their talents and
graphic design portfolios. The web site has numerous options and opportunities
for gaining exposure as a freelance graphic designer as well as generating
leads for potential clients for a freelance graphic design business. Open to
all graphic design freelancers, this web site is much like Creative
Freelancers, but much less restrictive on what Austin graphic design
freelancers can take advantage of the web site.

As you will undoubtedly find, there are many resources, both free and
inexpensive, for graphic design freelancers. The best way to find these
resources and take advantage of them is to simply research on the internet by
searching for Austin graphic design freelance resource. You can also check with
your local Chamber of Commerce for information about Austin area graphic design
professional associations.

Finding a Kansas Graphic Design Firm

Finding a Kansas graphic design firm can be difficult, whether you are looking
for someone to handle your graphic design needs for your business or you are
looking for a Kansas graphic design firm to begin your graphic design career.
There are many methods that you might use to find a Kansas graphic design firm.

First, there is always the yellow pages. However, the yellow pages only gives
you contact information such as company name, address, and phone number, and
possibly a website address. How do you choose one Kansas graphic design firm
from all of the options available without any additional information? The fact
is, choosing one Kansas graphic design firm without any additional information
is near to impossible.

Another option is online yellow pages or websites such as Google Local or Yahoo
Local, or community websites and business directories. These websites give you a
little bit more information about Kansas graphic design firms. Many of these
websites have the ability to rate a Kansas graphic design firm, but most
consumers do not take advantage of the opportunity to rate them, so you really
don't have that much information on these websites, either.

The best option is to visit an online directory of Kansas graphic design firms
and do your research. One such online directory of Kansas graphic design firms
is ITWebRelated.com. These online directories offer contact information for
Kansas graphic design firms, website links, and detailed reviews and ratings of
each Kansas graphic design firm. This gives you a better idea of what you can
expect from each Kansas graphic design firm, which, in turn, gives you a better
chance of finding what you need in a Kansas graphic design firm.

Once you have narrowed down your list of possible Kansas graphic design firms,
you will need to choose just one Kansas graphic design firm to handle your
graphic design needs. This can prove quite difficult. However, you have many
resources to help you choose the best Kansas graphic design firm for your
company's needs. Check the Kansas graphic design firm in the Better Business
Bureau (BBB) online or via telephone to see what the status and rating of the
Kansas graphic design firm is. You can also visit the Kansas Chamber of
Commerce for information about the Kansas graphic design firm's ethics and
business practices.

If you still cannot decide on a Kansas graphic design firm, you may want to
just call around, visit websites, and check pricing. Sometimes talking to
people at the Kansas graphic design firm can give you an idea of whether or not
you can successfully work with a Kansas graphic design firm.

Overall, there is no easy way to find a Kansas graphic design firm. It takes
effort, comparison, and doing your homework. However, once you have put in the
time and effort to make sure that you pick the best fit for you in a Kansas
graphic design firm, you can be sure that you will have few issues throughout
your graphic design project.

Choosing a Jacksonville Graphic Design Firm

So, you live in Jacksonville and you're looking for a local Jacksonville
Graphic Design firm. Right? Well, you're lucky. There are lots to choose from.
It's a vibrant and dynamic scene. But that also poses a problem. How do you
choose? Follow the steps below and you'll have no trouble.

First, know what you are looking for. What is it that you want the designer to
do for you? Do you need a logo? And where are you going to use the logo?
Brochures? Business Cards? Stationery? Print Ads? Web Design? CD's? DVD's?

Who are your customers? Is your target market local to Jacksonville? Graphic
design firms will need to know all about your target audience, so be ready to
answer the "who", "what", "where", "why", and "how" questions about them.
Do you know who they are in terms of their demographics such as age range,
income range, ethnicity, lifestyle, professional focus (if applicable),
education, home ownership, and mobility,

What are the reasons they buy your product or services. What pains do they
experience and what solutions does your product or service offer? What are the
inherent benefits to the customer of buying your product or service?

How does your target audience use your product or service? How have you focused
your marketing efforts on them in the past? How successful was that focus? What
do you think worked and what didn't work?

Why did your past marketing efforts work, and why not? If you don't know,
that's okay. Bring along your past marketing materials and ask your
Jacksonville graphic design firm candidates what they think. This is another
way to gage whether or not you want to work with this firm.

Where do your customers find you? If you don't know some of the answers to
these questions, you may need market research. Ask each of your Jacksonville
Graphic design firm candidates whether or not they can do market research or
recommend a good market research firm. This can be an important element in
making your final choice. While the firm may not actually do the market
research, it is important that they have a relationship with an affordable
solution for you.

Knowing your product or service, your market and what it is you want is just
half the equation. The other half is what you are looking for. Here are some
simple questions. You can rank the candidates on each of these on a 1 to 5
scale where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "Yes, absolutely".

Do they have access to all the services I need? Does the style of their work
meet my taste criteria?

Do I think I'll enjoy working with them? (This may not seem as important until
you're in the middle of a project. Then it can be critical.)

Will they give me references? Are the references happy with the work they
received?

Okay, now you are armed and ready to choose your new Jacksonville Graphic
Design team. Just head to your local internet and do a search for Jacksonville
Graphic Design. Remember the ones that come up first, know how to optimize
their web sites and if you are working on a web site, this may be important to
you. Happy choosing!

History of Graphic Design

The actual terminology surrounding graphic designers has come into being in the
twentieth century. However, there are many events that led up to graphic design
that could be considered a part of the history of graphic design itself.

Graphic design has its roots in the same rich cultural history of all art. Art
has been a part of cultures since before the written word. The history of
graphic design stems from these ancient beginnings. The history of graphic
design is, in a sense, the history of art and its applications and methods, as
well as a history of graphic design reproduction techniques and technology.

Like all recreational and applied arts, graphic design got its real beginning
with the invention of the printing press. Previously in the history of graphic
design, art and other creative works had to be hand copied. The ability to
print copies of art and other creative works was a huge step toward the graphic
design that exists today.

Another large step in graphic design history was the development of
photography, and later film making. These important steps at the end of the
nineteenth century were the stepping stones to creating the graphic designs
that we have today. This era also marks the beginning of the separation of
creative art, or art for entertainment, from applied art, or art that was used
for a purpose such as conveying a message, advertising, and other graphic
design purposes.

The next largest step in graphic design history was the development of the
computer, and more significantly, the technological wave that led to a personal
computer in every home as we have today. Graphic design would not be as popular,
nor would it be as effective, creative, and reproducible without the invention
of computers. Therefore, the history of graphic design is closely tied with the
history of computers, computer software, computer imaging software, computer
scanners, computer printers, and digital photography. The internet and graphic
design software are perhaps the most important of these technological advances
that are a large role in the history of graphic design. Without all of these
important technological advances, graphic design would not be what it is today.

There are many other important landmarks in graphic design history. In 1919 the
first union of art and industry was put into place. In 1929 commercial artists,
advertising designers, and illustrators became common place. In 1970 mega
computers allowed for more advances in graphic design with companies like IBM.
The development of the micro processor, allowing for personal office and home
computers, came in 1980 and was marketed with Apple computers in 1984. Finally,
the now common place technology of internet access in 1993 tops off the graphic
design history that has lead to the graphic design industry we know and
recognize today.

To learn more about the history of graphic design, you can search the internet
or your local library. Many colleges and universities offer arts classes and
history of graphic design courses. Community education programs also often
offer summer classes or work shops on topics of interest such as the history of
graphic design.

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