I am now thinking that applying for jobs on websites isn’t getting me anywhere and i should try some direct action! My next step is to design and create somekind of promotional object to post out to targetted design companies. I even have my “Direct Mail That Works” book here on standby, and hmm “works??” well i will be the judge of that, Blum publications!

I dont know whether to make something to contain a CD so that i can send larger files than possible in emails… like an illustratory pdf? Or something printy… tough choice. I’m thinking i should make it only really relevant so no Flash/animation seeing as im not going for an animation position etc.
I have a feeling this is going to require alot of thought. maybe i’ll make a couple of versions and decide later.

Check back to see the ideas later

The recipe book is done… ish, (including the desserts section!) if you feel like having a look at the pdf which will be updated live as i work on it click here to download a copy.

Ok i have a new “thing”, im hungry all the time, which im blaming on my boredom of having nothing to do except search for jobs which dont require yeeears of experience in a studio!! …and breathe… i must stop ranting about jobs + experience = misery, its boring me.

Anyway, im hungry all the time so i started flickr-ing my cravings. ^_^ Its like eating with your eyes! Only not even remotely filling, but it is helping me create the ultimate cookery book.

To see a few examples of the pages have a look at these!… coming soon, a desert section! To view this in my portfolio click here 

I’m in the process of changing the portfolio page and the blog so i can update them faster and more often with new work, so if you happen accross here and something isn’t working or work is missing… dont worry!

Check back later to see the changes! ^_^

I applied for couple of jobs over the weekend that focussed in the “beauty/cosmetics” sector so i decided to give it a whirl and see what i could come up with. This isn’t finished yet… thats why its not on my portfolio website… but when it is expect to see it up there.

The idea is that, pretty much every cosmetics advert in magazines and on the television has been Photoshopped so why not see what a cosmetics line made by Photoshop would look like. I think its rather ironic that in these cosmetics adverts the images shown to you are of the models wearing this brand of make up when pretty much all the time they’re also being “enhanced” by Photoshop anyway, so its very inaccurate.

There was a story in the news recently about a mascara advert (cant remember the brand but it had Penelope Cruz as the model, you might remember?) in which they used false eyelashes! Now all adverts for mascara that use fake eyelashes instead of the product have to inform the viewer of this.

They do i have seen some… but they are in very small text at the bottom of the screen right at the beginning of the advert. Look out for it next time!

/sigh
Nope, no job for me, and it has made me learn a few things that are not necessarily very good. Firstly i was very grateful for having interviews with the companies that i have so far, considering that both adverts had asked for someone with 2 years experience and i had clearly written in my cover letter than i have zero experience in a studio (except a couple of months as an intern… which im told doesnt count) i was suprised they even gave me the time of day.
The first place i had an interview with, Parker Williams didnt pick me becase they needed someone with experience, and the second place also picked someone else over me with more experience.
Like i said before though, this doesnt bother me as i already knew they were both after someone with experience. What does bother me is when they say that im more talented/creative (happened both times) and yet they have still gone for the person with experience?

Since when did experience trump talent?
In theory you could have someone who has been working in the industry for 10 years and is crap yet have a student who is great but no experience go up for the same job and they pick the crap guy? It doesnt make any sense.

Unless they are just trying to be “polite”. /sigh

To be fair the second company i do understand. They are very small (3 designers altogether) and the senior designer even told me that because they are very small they also have to think about whether they have the time to train me up and work at the same time. When he called to let me know i hadnt got the job he said “…we had wittled it down to you and one other person, and hand on heart you are far more talented… but in the end we had to go with him because hes had nearly 2 years of experience already…If we could employ you both we would” blah blah were a very small company blah!

The annoying thing is i do understand! I wish i didn’t so i could be more angry! It would be annoying to be working and having to explain how the office works to me at the same time… but im a fast learner and im enthusiastic and i would’ve hoped my work would be enough and i would be an investment.

argh! cant get work without experience but cant get experience without work

Ok, excellent!
i have found another job that i think sounds really good. Aside from working for massive clients like Sainsburys and Disney it might even be better than (dare i say it?) Parker Williams. /gasp!
Here is the job description:

Spirit Design is a small multi-disciplined graphic design company based in
Camden. We are looking for a junior designer with up to 2 years experience
to come in and join our team.

Ideally you should be enthusiastic, fluent in the English language and enjoy
working with people. Skills should include the use of Quark Xpress,
Illustrator, Photoshop, Office and knowledge of internet publication.

Please send a note giving an idea of why you would like to work for spirit
allong with a pdf of work examples to: iwanttoapply@spirit-design.com.

Interested? Then we look forward to hearing from you!

First impressions, i much prefer their website design and function, i even have a favourite piece of design they have done. Promotional material for Egg (as in Egg card) Im uploading a picture because i dont think i can describe it to its full potential, so see the thumbnail at the bottom of this post.

I was asked for a job interview on Monday with them and im really excited about it!! The position sounds perfect, the company sounds friendly, and the work is creative but across a wide market. It would be an ideal first job in London, and in Camden too! My all time favourite place in london. Especially as im aiming to live in the North N12 area (houses are much cheaper) it would be just… perfect!

Well i hope your happy, im nervous now ive been talking about it! I will have to block this from my mind until Sunday night, /sigh! Im going to get on with some more work so i have new things to show.

I had my second interview at Parker Williams on monday afternoon, and i made the fatal mistake of not wearing a coat on the only day that it has rained this week! So there i am meeting George for lunch with my (huge) portfolio tucked under my arm holding an umbrella - yes, thank goodness i am not a total idiot and kept that in my bag - when some meanie in their nice warm comfortable car deliberately puddle splashes me.
Everyone else managed to dodge that puddle mr, and you couldnt?? no. Because i looked like i had somewhere important to be, and its much more fun to spoil someones day /sigh!
Fate did me a favour though and the car had to stop at traffic lights behind me. A perfect opportunity arose and in my head i ran over to that car and hit it over and over with my portfolio! whos laughing now!?… but my will power prevailed… well that and i didnt want to look a different kind of crazy infront of everyone getting their lunch!

Anyway the interview went well, which is why you can tell im avoiding talking about it because i really cant stand building my hopes up and then having them torn into tiny pieces infront of you.

I just have to wait now. Waiting… hmm. The worst bit, the calm before the storm, as when they say either yes or no either way it becomes hectic again. Back to job hunting or the inevitable rush of having to find a house and move in in a maximum of one week! One word: argh!