Design graduates need to impress in competitive industry

konzept graduates need to impress in competitive industry Design graduates need to impress in competitive industryPosted October 13, 2011, by Josie ChunDesign graduates take heed it takes more than great skills to get one of the top jobs in this competitive industry.Basic credentials and skills wont set graduates apart from the rest of the pack. The industry is looking for true craftsmen who can bring fresh perspective and creativity to an agency, says Simon Pemberton, head of CATC Design School.Students therefore have to do something special to stand out.Its a tough market for students to get good work at the moment. We are seeing lots of students who are good all-rounders in design multimedia. But it is the graduates who can demonstrate intelligence and great conceptual skills upfront who will have a real advantage in the job market, says James De Vries, director of visual communications agency de Luxe.One person who demonstrated the necessary flair is design graduate Darran Franks . He completed the Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design at CATC and landed a job as creative director at design agency One% after submitting an impressive portfolio. Design is definitely competitive. Basically anyone with half an idea can produce decent work thanks to technology. With this in mind, I think its really important to develop personal style and attempt to stimulate some kind of emotion in everything you create, says Franks. The best way to demonstrate yur skills and creativity is by developing an outstanding portfolio. A portfolio is essential to getting the opportunity and then personality gets you over the line, advises Franks. Jon Christensen, co-founder of digital communications agency Mentally Friendly, agrees, and confirms the competitiveness of the industry. It is always exciting to see all of the portfolios that come through when we advertise for a new standort. The last juniorchefin position we advertised for received over 100 applications for the one role. The most important thing to remember is there are over 700 designers graduating each year in NSW alone and many are really good designers, but it is all the extra things you have to do to stand out. Being an amazing designer is a given, but being able to communicate this with confidence when speaking about your designs, presenting a standout portfolio and having passion and excitement for design achieves cut-through in this industry, says Christensen. For us a designer who stands out understands how to design conceptually, understands a variety of styles, has an eye for detail, and a clear knowledge of the appropriate software suites. However thats only half of what we look for... Mentally Friendly is a small studio of around 14 people, so it is important to us that any new employees are a good fit for our office culture, says Christensen. So how do you develop the necessary combination of design skills, technical skills and creativity to win a stellar position? For Darran Fran ks the key was completing the advanced diploma at CATC. I had taught myself a broad range of design software but got to a point where I needed to be surrounded by like-minded people and be challenged on levels that were simply not available otherwise. CATC allowed me to really hone my skills and focus on developing my own style in a productive fashion. Providing an education that develops high-level skills and artistic talent is a high priority at CATC. We help our students to develop portfolios that demonstrate all the necessary skills demanded by the industry and to showcase individuality and creativity, says CATC head Simon Pemberton. CATC Design School offers a variety of design courses by distance education through SEEK Learning. This study mode gives students ultimate flexibility, allowing them to adjust their workload, study times and environment to study when and where they want. With online learning, classes are led by a dedicated online lecturer, study materials are se nt to students, assessments are submitted securely online and students can interact and communicate with the lecturer and each other. To find out more about studying design by distance, browse our range of design courses.Designing ResourcesAssistant fashion designer cover letterGraphic design graduate resumeCareer Insider StoriesElizabeth OConnor-Cowley - Director, eeni meeni miini mohKim Fletcher - MillinerTherese Moussa - The Grounds Head Stylist & Creative DeveloperInterested in becoming a?Web DesignerIT ManagerInterior DesignerJunior Graphic DesignerInterior DecoratorPopular Career Searchescertificate iii in design fundamentalshow to become a fashion designer in australiagovernment funded design courses melbournefacade design course australiahow to become a fashion designer in brisbaneDesigning CoursesBachelor of DesignEnquire Online Enquire OnlineMixed Reality Design CourseEnquire Online Enquire OnlineUser Experience Design Accelerated Course (1 Week)Enquire Online Enquire On lineUser Experience Design Transform Course (Full-Time)Enquire Online Enquire OnlineJosie ChunRelated ArticlesBrowse moreDesignDesign yourself a brighter careerAs Aristotle once said, There can be no words without images, and in todays world there can be no images without designers.DesignDesigningWhat graphic designers wantA recent survey by designer marketplace, 99designs, reveals some of the ins and outs of the graphic design industry. Check out their infographic for everything you need to know about how to woo a graphic designerDesignDesigningHow To Become A Graphic DesignerIf kerning is your calling and stop-motion gets you animated, it might just be time to consider a career in the multifaceted world of graphic design.