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Inspiring
September 18, 2017
Question

How can I best improve my skills/experience for graphic design and related creative jobs?

  • September 18, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 2026 views

I fear I don't know what I'm doing. I did a rather too general BA Digital Media and Animation course at university but not sure where to go from that tbh.

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    4 replies

    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 25, 2017

    You might check to see if there's an Adobe User Group (Adobe User Group directory) near you. If not, see what Meetups are near you. You can improve your skills while networking which could lead to some work. If you'd like to practice some skills, see if there are any volunteer opportunities for non-profits in your area.

    If you'd like to check out various digital media areas, look through last year's Adobe MAX sessions (Adobe MAX 2016 Sessions). If you're still a student and would like to come to this year's Adobe MAX, you could get an educational discount (Adobe MAX—The Creativity Conference.) or watch online once those become available.

    pziecina
    Legend
    September 20, 2017

    I don't think doing a general course in digital media and animation is such a bad thing. Your main problem is going to be for you to decide in which direction you wish to develop your skills.

    you may wish to develop them in a traditional media direction such as tv and video, or concentrate on animation or move in the direction of new media such as delivered by the web. All these are open to 'exploration' before you make a final decission, but everything will depend on what you decide, find interesting, and if you think advancing your skill set will achive whatever it is you wish for your own future career.

    John T Smith
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2017

    If you need ideas/help with a specific Adobe program, asking in the forum for that program is where you need to start

    Here is the list of all Adobe forums... https://forums.adobe.com/welcome

    You should also Google to find tutorials for the program(s) you use

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 18, 2017

    Graphic Design covers such a wide swath... what's your area of specialty or greatest interest?

    Which software products are you using proficiently?

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
    Swandive stream
    Inspiring
    September 20, 2017

    I've got experience with Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Muse

    I built a portfolio website in Muse: www.fastertrack.com

    cmgap
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    September 20, 2017

    This is from Animal Logic Career FAQs; Jobs - Animal Logic

    Check this out to get a sense of the way an international company expresses what they are looking for in candidates and the advice they give potential new hires.

    Studying? Is it better to be a generalist, or a specialist?


    This is a popular question, and the short answer is that most companies would prefer a generalist, who has a specialty. This means you can use your specialty when there is relevant work, but you can also work in other areas when required to.

    What software should I learn?

    What employers will often look for is the end product on your showreel (portfolio), rather than what was used to make it. Having said that, you should keep in mind what a particular company uses (and they will make this quite clear in job advertisements) when you apply for a job.