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

[Swandive stream]

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.

[Nancy OShea]

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

Which software products are you using proficiently?

[Swandive stream]

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

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

[cmgap]

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.

[Ussnorway]

your web site site needs some more work mate...

• i do like the photo repair idea

• I don't like the email form because forcing people to sign in (assuming they even have) their Google account to send you a message = no messages... I also had a giggle that 'Say hello' is Required!

[Swandive stream]

I tried a basic link but a bit small, tried using a Muse contact form but got errors. Might revert back to a button but more around it. Ideas?

[Swandive stream]

Clicked the screenshot and got confused why I couldn't expand the website part, I thought it was a window in my screen initially. I've reworked the website many times and out of ideas but will change contact.

[Ussnorway]

u9iouiuljuiouj  wrote

I tried a basic link but a bit small, tried using a Muse contact form but got errors. Might revert back to a button but more around it. Ideas?

why do you even need a form?

if you put it on your website and can't get it working right then I recommend you take it down again. this web site is your sign post that says 'pick me'

senario; if you had a shop with a big sign out front that says "NICK OFF, i don't want your business" then it prob wouldn't be a big shock to find most people just keep walking past... yes the shop guy may have great customer service but the damage is already done.

the sign on the web page says "contact me" then the form says "NICK OFF"

I would perhaps have a Google map that says look this is the place I work from "here" so people know how far away you are or (Facebook, Twitch, Deviantart) links that shows the kind of cool (showing my age with that word I know) places you like to hag out?

[Swandive stream]

I changed it to a button but not sure how I can guarantee it will take the user to their email provider's page with my email in the To field (i.e. sending email without form). I could just have the text for the email but that could encourage spam bots.

[Nancy OShea]

You need an actual contact form with a server-side processing script.  That's beyond what Muse alone can deliver.  Sorry.  But that's the truth.  If you can't code one yourself, use a service like Wufoo Online Form Builder with Cloud Storage Database | Wufoo   It's fast, simple & a reliable way for people to reach you.  Just copy & paste their code into your Muse documents.

[John T Smith]

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

[pziecina]

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.

[Myra Ferguson]

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.