pd01 / Going Pro: How to find the next gig as a *new-ish* designer

CLASS Series: Professional Development
This series is suitable for people trying to break into the field of graphic design whether degreed or self taught.
$148 for non-members
$140 members
Registration / Waiting List
Cancellation policy →
FIG Class Policies.pdf
Cancellation policy
  • Classes are 100% refundable minus the 4% online processing fee up to 7 days before the scheduled class.
  • Class resignation cancellation within 7 days of the class start date is 60% refundable minus the 4% online processing fee.
  • Cancellation within 48 hours of the class is non-refundable. Emergency cancellations must be communicated to FIG staff. Refunds for an emergency will be at the discretion of FIG staff.
  • If any questions contact us by email: info@futureinkgraphics.com
back to classes
In this professional development series, "Going Pro: How to find the next gig as a *new-ish* designer", you will have the opportunity to learn about optimizing your online portfolio and digital presence, presenting your work in a polished manner, negotiating compensation for your work and finding solid work opportunities. This series is suitable for people trying to break into the field of graphic design whether degreed or self taught.
Description
TBD / Summer, 2022

4 Days / Saturdays: in Summer
Timeline
TBD / Summer

7 students min/16 max
Registration deadline
  • Currently seeking employment as a newby graphic designer

  • Recent graduate or self taught graphic designer seeking to break into the field

  • Seeking to get better and bigger contracts as a graphic designer
Good for
Bio → Rachel Clingman is a Design Educator as well as a Brand and Experience Designer working with small to medium sized businesses. She owns and operates VOZbranding.com a boutique branding studio that focuses on her client's brand goals in an intensely customer focused approach. She instructs at Warrensville Heights High School where she leads the Graphic Design Career and Tech Program. Rachel is a strong advocate for diversifying the field of design. She still believes that designers will one day save the world and the more diversity of thought we have at the table the better the world will be.
Instructor →
Rachel Clingman
Timetable →
The Digital Portfolio
  • Putting together a polished portfolio
    • The fundamentals of a great portfolio
    • The fundamentals of a great resume
  • DEMO: Great Portfolio Site Examples

Portfolio Speak
  • Presenting the portfolio & talking about your work
    • The formulaic way to present your portfolio & talk about design work
    • The design thinking framework and problem solving process
    • Thinking about your process in the design thinking framework
  • PRACTICE: present work for class critique

Money Talk
  • Negotiating work for employment, contract, or freelance work
    • Know your worth as a designer: Mindset
    • Salary data and what to expect when looking for a job
  • Mindset, Confidence, Mindset: be willing to walk away from a bad situation or offer
  • PRACTICE: Speak out loud, what are you looking for?

The Opportunity Search
  • Getting out there with Networking/ Job Searching
    • Your 30 second elevator speech: How to explain what is it is you do and your value quickly
    • Optimizing your LI profile and other Social Media sites to find work
    • Social Media do's and don'ts of finding work in the digital age
  • The best way to find a job is to NETWORK! IT is all about WHO you know.
  • PRACTICE: 30 Second elevator speech and self- critique.

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4