need some advice/views :D

[nisha_vijayan]

Hi everyone,

My name is Nisha and I am currently in the UK doing my masters in digital/visual effects. before this I did my Bachelors in Visual Communication. After my Bachelors, I was sure I wanted to do my Masters first before moving on to work but I was a bit confused with regarding what I wanted to do... It was either Graphic design or digital effects. Sadly at that time, I wasn't thinking right and instead of choosing something I would love to do the rest of my life, i chose to do something, that in the views of ... ahem... the world...... would help me make more money and had more scope, so i chose VFX... sigh... but now ... almost a year later, I ve realized a masters in Visual Communication(graphic design concentrations) would have been ideal for me.. cuz its definitely more creative and flexible, communications is definitely a more fun field than visual effects would be any day...

Now, enough of background information... the question is ... after this, if I wanna switch specialties again, say I wanna apply for a graphic design/visual communication/ advertising kinda jobs... would it be an issue...??? Would my Bachelors Degree which was in the relevant subject be enough to carry me through???... You as an employer would you hire me... if my portfolio was good...??? or would you be like "no no... your masters says you should be doing something else.."...???

[Chung Dha]

If you want to work at a design office a great portfolio with allot of good work is much better then a piece of paper say which education you had. Because even though people might have a high graded diploma at an art Academy but if their design is just crap they just wont get hired anywhere.

I lately found out lately great work and good creativity is more needed for anyone to be a designer. To be good you need to have some special element in your design. If your portfolio is good it could be enough to hire you, a diploma or where you have studied doesn't really matter because they doesn't show anything of your talent.

[rinaldidesigns]

I totally agree with Chung Dha, a portfolio IS the single most important thing...
a $100,000 education means nothnig if the talent isn't shpown in portfolio, either you have it, or you don't

[nisha_vijayan]

Thank you so much, I have my portfolio online, some work that I have done over the past few years... your comments and suggestions are more than welcome and will be much appreciated. Also if you think its important/recommended to register for your own domain and personal portfolio.

www.coroflot.com/nisha_vijayan

[Chung Dha]

Not really keen of coroflot though to show that as a portfolio to a company. Would recommend blog with the layout designed to your liking or a whole new website. But I would really recommend to start off with a free blog like mine at blogger.

[NancyCarter]

Thank you so much, I have my portfolio online, some work that I have done over the past few years... your comments and suggestions are more than welcome and will be much appreciated. Also if you think its important/recommended to register for your own domain and personal portfolio.

www.coroflot.com/nisha_vijayan

I think your work is lovely.

[takethetrain]

Looks like the members have mostly answered your question... but I just wanted to suggest that if your specialties are in print, then you should prepare a print portfolio. The web is useful when applying for jobs online, but a print portfolio would allow you to really shine once you have an interview.

[nisha_vijayan]

thanks for all the cool advice... really great, question also is... in terms of work, do you think it is good enough to start applying for jobs with the work I have online... yes portfolio will be developed in terms of presenting my work, but honestly what do you think about the content. What should I work on? what should I avoid showing etc... ?

[Chung Dha]

I advice you to print out the packaging with glossy photo sheets and put them together. Because these photoshop or 3d renders aren't doing any justice for the looks. It's better to have them in real life 3d and make great photo's of them. They then they looks more real and stand out better. Plus you can show them in real life to the companies you apply to.

You hould not show thing you are not the best in. Only show the best work what you are best in. Would be good if you show more logo's. Probably the most demanding job there is , is to design logo's. You need to know what the client want plus get the good feel for their costumers.

From what I see in your portfolio is that you are good in graphic designs for packaging and photography. The rest are bit like that you just learned to make them. Your print design are bit too messy , you need to find how to make a cleaner layout. You should always look around what the competition is doing with their design, but not make a direct copy just to see the taste and feel. And might copy small bits that people don't notice. Cause the feel for most of them are kinda cheap and messy looking, only the cooking service look good but the background looks bit too digital or technologic for a cooking service.

3d isn't probably your thing, cause it looks like made by someone who just began. You should look into more tutorials if you want to improve your skills for that so you can make more realistic renderings.

[KHDZN]

I would also recommend that you thoroughly understand the software used in the industry and be able to talk about it in an interview. You will get some "technical" people who will want to see how knowledgeable you are. Employers want to hire experts in the field. Good luck!