simone jenifer design.

Oct 8, 2008

You’ve applied, interviewed, and got the offer!

By Simone Subversive On 04:44 In Resources

Now What?

When you get the job offer, don't be taken by surprise and forget to negotiate. You can't just blurt out a “Yes, when do I start.” Employers expect you to take time to consider the conditions of your employment.

This is your opportunity to establish your market value as a designer:

Figure out your personal costs, cost of living, student load debt, etc.
Find out comparable companies in your region pay their graphic designers, and
Balance that information against your personal strength as a designer.

In addition to money, other things are definitely negotiable. Make a list of your desires and prioritize them. Negotiable items in your offer may include health benefits, paid vacations, unpaid leave, your start date, flex time, and daily working hours (not everyone thrives on a 9-5 schedule).

You can compromise on some items for others that are more important to you. Just be sure to be clear about the offer, ask questions, and take the time to consider it. Try to adjust whatever is not satisfactory now. It is important to start off a relationship with clarity and trust.

Congratulations!

Let's say you haven't gotten to this point yet, but the interviewer wants to nail down your price early in the interview process...learn how to handle that and other interview questions.

Lynda.com Freebies

By Simone Subversive On 09:44 In Resources

Undergrad taught me two things: never stop learning, and design freebies are out there if you simply look for them. Lynda.com isn't exactly a freebie, but it is a great inexpensive resource that will help you learn everything about the software tools in you Graphic Design Toolkit. In my junior and senior years I regularly purchased month-long memberships to this online learning community and took advantage of the tutorials.

If paying the monthly fee is out of the question, consider signing up for the Lynda newsletter. It regularly showcases new tutorials and recordings, tips and tricks, AND even some free tutorials/courses.

Get on over there and start learning! www.Blog.Lynda.com

2008 Identity, Posters, Magazine and Collateral

By Simone Subversive On 11:03 In print design

These identities were created for individuals with small/growing business issues. The questions of elegance and relevance were addressed and mastered with all.

The posters are a combination of work done for school and work done for individuals. My main goal was to show different treatments of style, use of fonts and vector illustration.

The Stripper spread is a piece created for a class that incorporated photography, journalism, layout. bittbox.com was an invaluable resource.

I had a lot of fun hanging out with bike messengers when researching the Guinness Bike Race poster. My buddy Erin hosted the race around Baltimore and gave me more information than any non-messenger ever needs to aid in my creation of the poster. Prof. Smith loved it--not sure if it was because of his love of Baltimore's teeming subculture or his passion for a perfectly poured pint.

The Typography poster is a homage to one of my fave graphic and typography designers, Herb Lubalin. I've since revisited the design. But I still love the starting point!

The Caribbean Nights Cruise poster and post cards were fun to work on. They were among the first pieces that I created for a large community event. Simon Fong, selected the super fun typeface that brought the design to life!! Thanks Simon.

All of these early designs have a story.