Pursuing a graphic design career in London and finding the right communications agency to approach
As a creative communication agency based in London, we at BergHind Joseph are often contacted by students looking to gain valuable insights into how a design company operates and what the day-to-day life of a graphic designer is like. Sometimes it’s A-level students weighing up a degree or foundation studies in design; in other instances its degree students looking for highly valued hands-on experience.
Our most recent visitors, Christy and Subrina, fell into the first category - they were contemplating studying graphic design for a degree London. So, with them in mind we thought we’d offer up the following tips for students considering a career within a design agency in London:
1.Talk to professional designers.
However supportive your lecturers may be, you may find more rounded and impartial views from within a graphic design or branding agency, as most of us have been there after all. We’re generally a pretty friendly bunch, so as long as you’re polite and find out who the best person is to contact, you’re likely to get a positive response. What’s more, building up contacts in London is more crucial now than ever, so the sooner you start the better.
2. Research your subject
With a multitude of graphic design books, magazines and blogs to hand, it really pays to explore your subject – ensuring you’re fully prepared for those course entrance interviews! Here are a few recommendations:
books: http://www.magmabooks.com/content/bookshop/cats.asp?c=GRA&sc=11
magazines: http://blog.inkd.com/designers/the-15-best-magazines-for-print-designers
blogs: http://www.davidairey.com/design-blogs/
3. Visit universities and colleges, when it’s not an official open day
Don’t expect them to thank you for it, but you’ll probably get a much better feel for how the course is run, class sizes, student engagement, computer access, etc. this way. Open days often become an exercise in sweeping things under the carpet!
4. Avoid rushing your design education
If your design experience is limited, there is no substitute for Foundation courses and National Diplomas. These offer an invaluable platform for degree studies, introducing the many different disciplines within graphic design and encouraging creativity and experimentation.
5. Don’t be too intimidated by the statistics
With thousands of new design graduates unleashed into the industry every year, it’s true to say that competition for jobs has never been so intense – especially for creative communication agencies in London.
That said, proactive graduates with great portfolios will always get noticed. So, if you are truly passionate about working in graphic design in London and are prepared to put in the hard word, it’s an incredibly rewarding career choice.
Following on from your studies, and after graduating as a graphic designer, the next question is ‘how do you launch your career in graphic design within London?’
Be under no illusion, the job search is a rollercoaster of emotions. There is the excitement of preparing portfolios, making contact with the very designers who may have inspired your studies, and working within some of the top design agencies in London.
That said, on the flip side, there is the reality of sometimes having to work in unpaid placements for 6 months; an unfortunate but common predicament and one any serious graduate should be prepared to face.
However, the actual experience a work placement can offer is often just as valuable as the reward of a job itself – exposing you to many different ways of working and different cultures – so even if the latter is not on the cards, take everything you can from a placement. This, combined with the advice below should result in design success:
1. Perfect your portfolio.
It’s true that great work will often sell itself, but how you present it will help to determine whether people really engage with it. One good technique to adopt is to ask: what does your portfolio say about you? Does it reflect your personality, your strengths, your creativity and individuality, and is it appropriate for the audience you are trying to engage? Treat your portfolio as a branding project – not just a collection of bits of work you’ve done.
Also, make sure you keep your portfolio to a good size; 6–10 great projects is ideal. BUT remember …it’ll only be as good as your weakest project, so if in doubt, leave it out!
Finally, consider the presentation of your portfolio. Forget the cumbersome cases they often insist on at college with the stippled sleeves and zips. Go for compact A3 with transparent sleeves that show the work off to its best. Photographers archive boxes are also a popular alternative currently.
2. Do your research.
Make sure any design agency you contact works within sectors that are relevant to the work you will be presenting.
Find out who the right person is to contact – call and ask, making sure they are happy to receive your pdf folio (keep this under 3mb showing two or three great projects). Also, consider posting a nicely designed letter (in your brand style) which leaves more of a lasting impression over an email (this is particularly key when applying to a creative communications agency in London). Within your letter, identify why you like that particular London design agency, and highlight a piece of their work that interested you. Follow up with a call if you haven’t heard back after a few days - just don’t be pushy.
3. Get all the advice going
Show your work to as many designers as possible. The more you present your work, the better at it and more confident you will become. Even if a company doesn’t offer placements, ask if you can come in and show them your work. Listen to their advice and develop your portfolio and presentation style accordingly.
Simply searching ‘design agency London’ will be a good starting point for targeting particular firms that may be of interest and obtaining advice relevant to you.
4. Tell a good story
Explain the context, the brief, the creative process, the challenges, the final outcome and what you learnt from a graphic design project. A good recommendation is to start with a strong project you enjoy talking about (helps the nerves) and end on a great one too.
5. Leave a lasting impression
Present yourself in the best possible way, have a hand full of good questions to ask and leave something behind so you stay in the front of their mind e.g. a business card, cv, work sample booklet etc.
Remember that with commitment and persistence, talent is always rewarded. Best of luck!
