The Basics So Far
In our last few articles we’ve covered topics related to properly preparing for graphic design job interviews and ideas for designing creative resumes.

In this new series we’ll explore what sorts of traits successful professionals in design or creative positions commonly possess. . .
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What the Employers Say They Want
The original information was researched by Preston Lee, an award winning graphic designer, who queried design professionals from different firms.

He asked them what sort of traits they believed are inherent in people who work in jobs that required creativity.

The following list of attributes isn’t exhaustive by any means but may be useful in determining whether you have “the right stuff” to work for a design or media firm.

The List
What is interesting to note is that of all the traits that were mentioned as valuable for a career in design, very little was said about actual talent.

The responses were generally about personal character, good attitude, and good communication skills.

Of course talent is a factor, but this seems to be a given and employers are looking for that extra “something” from potential hires in addition to talent alone. We’ll list the top responses here with a short comment for each trait.

• Be motivated and eager to learn. Design methods and software are constantly changing, so a graphic designer who continues to learn becomes a valuable team member to the company.

• Be curious about the industry. This could also be rephrased, “Be interested in your work.” A fresh perspective of where the industry is heading shows employers that you are involved and engaged in your work.

• Get a good education. Preparing yourself for a career in graphic design, illustration, or one of the many related fields in the arts means getting the best education that is available to you. Graphic design schools and graphic design colleges can help you to receive the graphic design education you need to qualify for jobs in the industry. Most entry level jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.

• Be authentic. It is sometimes hard to admit a lack of knowledge when searching for a solution to a design problem. But pretending to know everything isn’t the way to go either. Just be yourself. Employers want people that can fit into their organizations.

• Network constantly. Or in other words, communicate! Errors in design concepts can sometimes be attributable to nothing more than just a misunderstanding of project guidelines or the assumption that the other party knows what is expected. Design companies need people who can effectively communicate.

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Next Time…
We’ll list some more traits that graphic design employers seek in their new hires.

We’ll also discuss some of the things that you can do to increase your chances of becoming hired with a design company, or other firm dealing with the visual arts.

Targeted Resumes
In Graphic Design Resumes: Plain or Different - Part II, we’ll show examples of resumes that are specifically created to draw the interest of a particular type of employer in graphic design, illustration, or other connected field.

These resumes are targeted towards the potential hirer much like how advertising is aimed at a specific demographic group.

The following resumes are truly unique and attention getting. After we go over each one we’ll discuss when, if ever, it is appropriated to submit resumes of this nature.

In creating these resumes, the individuals truly must have used what they learned at their graphic design schools to create these interesting documents.
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A Video Game Resume
If you have ever played an RPG (role playing game) or a shooter, you’ll recognize the resume format immediately. This industrious job seeker has taken on the motif of a video game status screen.

He included his various talents and skills and rated them according to a video game format that indicates the strengths and weaknesses of a game character.

But in this case, he has substituted the game attributes for his design and animation skills. Why did he do this? He’s applying for a job as a video game animator.

The resume shows style, creativity, and a sense of humor. To see the resume, click on the image.
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A True Graphic Artist Resume
In this example, the resume writer has elected to format his document in the form of a business graphics report. Pretty cute, eh? It serves to show off his design skills while also adding a little humor to his resume as well.

He pie-charts and graphs his skills and shows his daily routine through the use of a 3D graph. He even registers how much coffee intake he has during the day.

A time-line shows his work experience and time worked at various locations.

The resume is colorful and attention getting. To see the resume, click on the image.

A Horror Filled Multimedia Resume
I couldn’t stop reading and smiling at this particular resume.

The creator of this document is seeking employment as a multimedia specialist. And what better way to sell yourself than to create a movie poster of your abilities, skills, and talents?

The resume reflects a creative, if not slightly off-beat, mind behind the document. It is certainly entertaining, and shows a person who has a sharp wit.

Definitely worth a second look by the human resources department or hiring manager. To see the resume, click on the image.
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Professional Artistic Resume
Perhaps you’d feel a little more comfortable submitting a creative resume that is a little more subdued.

The following example is what you are looking for. This resume lists all the qualifications that are normally found on a standard resume - work experience, education, graphic arts skills, and computer software abilities, but in a creative way.

In this case, the resume artist has included the logos for all the popular graphics software that is used in graphic design. By incorporating these elements into his resume, he creates a nice piece of eye-candy for the viewer while also informing the employer of his abilities.

To see the resume, click on the image.
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Should You or Shouldn’t You?
A resume should give a clear summary of your skills, education, work experience, and your goals. How you package this information is a judgment call. You have to consider what type of firm you are seeking employment from. If it is a firm known for being creative and cutting edge, a creative resume may work.

If the firm is more traditional in nature, you may want to take the approach of an artistic, but more subdued resume to catch the eye of the hiring personnel.

Regardless of which route you choose–traditional or creative, it never hurts to add a little color or design to your resume. This makes sense since your career training in a graphic design college has prepared you for projects like this. After all, you are in the creative arts.

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The Job Interview Questions Everyone Knows About
At the heart any job interview is a vetting process that relies heavily on a candidate’s response to questions. Interviews can be challenging if you don’t know what sorts of questions will be asked.

But virtually everyone is familiar with the “standard issue” questions:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want to work for this company?
• What are your plans for the next five years?
• What can you bring to this company if you are hired?

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While these questions have worked in the past to screen individuals for job positions, the mere fact that they are so well recognized by the general public has taken much of the edge and usefulness away from them.

This doesn’t mean that you won’t be asked these questions during a job interview, but you should also be prepared for questions that are “outside the box.”

Questions That Make You Think
Firms are using an alternative interview method based upon behavioral responses from potential hires.

Questions that are behaviorally based try to determine how well a job candidate may fit into the company based upon the person’s performance on previous jobs.

Behavioral interview questions can reveal how a job candidate reacts under pressure, how well the individual works with others, and how creative the person is in problem solving.

Some of the behavioral questions you may encounter during a job interview are:

• What did you do about coworkers that were uncooperative and difficult to work with?
• When you didn’t agree with your supervisor or manager about something job related, what did you do?
• When you were criticized about your performance on a project you were working on, what did you do?
• Tell me three things you would change about your last job and why?
• Give me an example of how you motivated other coworkers to do better in their work.
• Tell me about a time when you were able to use your creativity and problem solving skills to complete a difficult project or request.
• Tell me what you did when your design for a project wasn’t working out as planned.

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Make Sure You Can Remember
Behavioral interview questions dig deep into your past, so make sure you are prepared to answer questions of this sort. If you just graduated from a graphic design school, the questions you are asked will be in relation to your school experience.

Next Time
We’ll wrap up this series with the topic, “Things Job Interviewers Won’t Tell You.”

In this upcoming article we’ll explore what the interviewer is looking for in a job candidate, what things that can fail you during the interview, and whether you should accept the job offer.

The Job Interview
Upon your graduation from graphic design college, the next step is to look for a job.

The job interview process can be mystifying, but in this job interview series, we list pointers and tips that can help you to interview successfully.

What to Do During an Interview
In part one of Interview Tips for Graphic Artists and Designers, advice was given on what to do in preparation for a job interview in graphic arts.

But what can you do during the interview to make it go smoothly?

Here are some tips:

• Be Yourself. This bit of wisdom is rarely given but is very useful in defusing any jitters you may have during the interview. It’s OK to say, “I’m a little nervous,” to the interviewer. The human resources person or potential boss understands this. Putting on a veneer of self-confidence rarely works and is usually quite transparent, so be yourself. Your honesty will be appreciated.

• Talk. Try to be straightforward with your answers and avoid long pauses or periods of silence in your responses. Part of the interview process is to evaluate your communication skills. If you are naturally quiet, that is fine. Just be prepared to speak more than you usually do during the interview.

• Ask Questions. Although job interviews are sometimes thought of as a one-way street — the interviewer asks questions while the interviewee answers, this isn’t necessarily the best approach for job candidates to take. If a question doesn’t make sense, ask for clarification.

• Demonstrate. If your portfolio is reviewed by your interviewer during your interview, you can offer information on what role you played in designing the pieces. Was it a team project or did you produce the work on your own? The interviewer may ask you what creative processes you used to arrive at your designs.

• Technical Terms. In any job there is a specific amount of jargon you need to know and understand. Your interviewer may present questions that are technical in nature such as, “What do you think the CMYK mix for the color of a red fire engine truck would be?” Brush up on your graphic arts terminology.

The Importance of Education
Getting a chance to interview for a design job can be a very exciting and nerve racking experience.

Your artistic talents are laid out for all to see and your work stands on its own to make or break the job deal and this certainly can be a little stressful.

But along with talent is the necessity to get a well-rounded education in your specific field of design.

If you are contemplating a career as a graphic artist, illustrator or media professional, graphic design schools can be of immense help in providing the career training you need to prepare for jobs in design.

The Next Time
What sort of questions will you be asked during the interview process? Should you take the job if the company makes you an offer? What else can you do to increase your chances of landing a job? We’ll cover these topics and more in the next few sessions.

Job Interviews
If you are a student in graphic design, graphic arts or illustration, you’ve probably wondered about the interview process in applying for a job.

While job interviews can take on a variety of scenarios, you can still be prepared.

The tips presented in this series do not guarantee you a graphics job, but they can help you to organize, plan and possibly increase your chances for a successful job interview.
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How to Prepare Before the Interview
Preparation can play a significant role in the outcome of job interviews.

By doing your research and being aware of what is expected for the job position, you can enhance your credibility and professionalism in the eyes of the interviewer.

Prior to showing up for the job interview you can prepare yourself by going over the following suggestions and plans of action:
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• Portfolio. Assemble your portfolio in a conscious effort to meet the needs of the company or firm you are applying at.  Keep it concise and to the point. You don’t want to bore the interviewer with examples that don’t represent your best work.
• Background. Your interviewer will probably ask what you know about the company. Present a few detailed facts about the firm. This shows that you are interested in the company and have done your part to be informed.
• Dress the Part. Try to find out what sort of dress code the office has for its workers. You want to dress appropriately in order to fit in. Being neat and casual sometimes works better than wearing a suit. Check or ask before your interview appointment.
• Materials: In addition to your portfolio, bring along copies of your resume, a disc of your work examples, and a cover letter just in case the items were lost in processing. Also bring your driver’s license, social security card, and three references.

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• Groom. Personal hygiene should not be forgotten. Do all you can to appear fresh and clean.
• Be Punctual. Plan to arrive early–at least 20 minutes or sooner. This will take into account any time that you may loose by getting lost or other tie-ups. Arriving early also gives you a chance to catch your breath, scope out the area, and relax.

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The Primary Interview Formats
There are usually two types of job interview formats that employers choose to use:

* Traditional - In this method, the interviewer asks candidates about their strengths and weaknesses, why they want to work for the company, what their goals are for the next 3 to 5 years, and other standard questions that are quite common to this style of interview.
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Employers use this method to determine the applicant’s communication skills, experience, and suitability as a team player.

* Behavioral - More companies are adopting this interview approach because it probes the potential employee’s past performance as an indication of how well the candidate may perform in the work firm’s work environment.

Questions are asked about how the individual handled coworker conflicts, project challenges, ingenuity in problem solving and other questions related to on-the-job performance and actions.

Next Time…
In the following parts of this series, we’ll delve into the aspects of what to do during the interview process, how to avoid pitfalls during the interview and more so stayed tuned.

Graphic Design Software
The standards in the graphic design and publishing industries are Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, InDesign, PageMaker, and Dreamweaver. These software tools are essential for many designers, artists, illustrators, and media professionals in producing content.

A quick tally of the cost of all these programs is staggering if you are on a limited budget. If you are a student or individual thinking about attending a graphic design college, you may want to experience some of these programs to see if you have the ability and talent to use the software. But then, the factor of high cost comes in once again.

The Alternatives
For students or perspective students investigating a career in graphic design or media, there is a free and legal alternative in using free design software. These programs can allow you to experience and get familiar with the process of using applications that are similar in nature to the “big guns” of design programs.

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free image authoring and photo retouching software program very similar to Photoshop in features and operation.

It supports the operating systems XP, Vista, Mac OS X, and Linux. GIMP has an active community which helps to improve the program through plugins and add-ons. GIMP is free of charge and is supported by donations from its users.

INKSCAPE is an “Open Source vector graphics editor, with capabilities similar to Illustrator, CorelDraw, or Xara X, using the W3C standard Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format,” according to the description found on Inkscape’s website.

Inkscape is a full featured editor that supports markers, clones, alpha bending, and other operations that allow for advanced graphics manipulation.

NVU pronounced “N-View” is a web authoring system that is similar in nature to FrontPage and Dreamweaver. It allows you to edit HTML pages.

NVU has a number of extensions and is community supported in its development. The developers of NVU say that creating web pages with their software is as easy as using a word processor.

SCRIBUS is an impressive professional desktop publishing program that is similar to PageMaker. It supports CMYK color, ICC color management, color separations, Spot Colors and PDF authoring.

Help Support the Developers and Their Work
These programs are freely available for download and are free of charge.

The quality of these applications is astonishing once you realize that the efforts behind these design programs have been fueled with voluntary time, resources, and research.

Donations to the developers of these applications will help them to continue to expand and improve their products. Don’t forget to show your appreciation by sending in your donation.

You may not be able to afford to buy the big name software design programs, but the ones listed here are pretty close to the mark. As you prepare to go to the graphic design school of your choice, these free applications may help you to understand the basics of software design tools.