Landing a Job in Web Design
by Kirk Bangstad
Career School Directory Columnist
August 07, 2006
In today's economy, a web site has essentially preempted the store window as the first place to pique a shopper's interest. If people want to find out about a product and where they can go to buy it, they'll often search the web before hopping in their car. Because there's so much competition on the Internet to grab our attention, the demand for eye-popping, innovative web design is high.
Jeremy Rouse is a recent bachelor's degree graduate who braved the competitive job market and emerged, after a few cuts and bruises, with a full time web design job--thanks to a great education and good design instincts.
Jeremy is currently the Digital Art Director at DraftFCB Group in Chicago. He graduated from college in May, 2005 with a BFA in Visual Communications. Upon graduation, Jason moved to Chicago and spent nine months as a freelance web designer before landing his first full time design job.
CSD: What was your strategy in finding a web design job after you completed your education?
JR: I had interned at a number of different companies while in school. These internships really helped me hone my design skills and learn about the business side of digital web design. Next, I flew out to Chicago a few times while still in school to meet with as many people at marketing and advertising firms as possible. I found these contacts through design friends from college, from colleagues I met while interning, and through my own research. After moving to Chicago, I continued to network with those people and started landing some freelance work. At first, neither the work nor the pay was that wonderful, but each new job opened more career doors. Finally, one of my clients told me about a design headhunting firm. I met with this agency, showed them my portfolio, and they ultimately helped me find my current job.
CSD: Describe your typical day in the office.
JR: At work I design websites, online advertisements, company logos, and anything else that needs digital design expertise. When I have extra time, I'll do freelance work on the side. Some of my freelance work allows me to broaden my design horizons, and also helps me maintain a varied and interesting portfolio. I get to work around 9:00, and typically leave anywhere from 5:00-8:00. Sometimes a project can keep me at the office pretty late.
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CSD: If you could get your education again today, is there anything you would do differently?
JR: I think that earning my degree taught me a lot about my craft, i.e. digital design and web design. I learned how to use the major software out there and developed my eye for design. If I could do it over again, I'd probably take some more business courses. I've learned that in the real world, design is a business, and you need a lot more than web design skills to run a successful business. In the process of looking for work, I ultimately had to learn how to sell myself. To do that, I figured out what employers wanted most from web designers. Once I discovered that designers with advanced level technical skills were in higher demand, I honed my technical skills and made myself more attractive to the market. Had I taken some more courses dealing with labor markets, sales, and marketing, I might have figured out how to sell and market myself sooner.
CSD: What are the biggest challenges you face?
JR: Web design is always changing and growing. To stay on the cutting edge, you have to keep innovating. I like the challenge of coming up with new ideas, but making sure I can technically make those ideas come to life is often a challenge. A person's education never really ends. I have to constantly learn new concepts in order to stay current with my profession.
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CSD: What are the biggest rewards?
JR: Honestly, after nine months of freelancing, my biggest reward is having the security of a full time job doing what I love to do.
CSD: What's your next career move?
JR: I want to learn as much as possible while I'm here, and eventually assume more responsibility and make more executive level design decisions. That could be here or at another firm. I'm also thinking about eventually working for myself and establishing my own web design company.
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CSD: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
JR: As a freelance web designer, I had to take a lot of jobs that weren't very exciting. I'd tell anyone who wants to make a living as a web designer to not be too proud to start out with less than innovative design work. Every job I had, no matter how dull, helped me become a better designer and meet more people in the industry. I am where I am today because of those jobs.
Sources:
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About the Author
Kirk Bangstad is an artist manager and singer working in Chicago, IL. His previous experience includes consulting for technology companies in the Silicon Valley and serving as a field director and publicist for a statewide political campaign. Kirk holds a B.A. in government from Harvard University.
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