06/08/2004 - My Situation

I was supposed to continue my internship at the Iconfactory studio this week, coming back from a five week summer holiday. However, that changed when I learned that it’s not possible to use the studio no more, since there is work being done on the facade. They said it would take at least two months before the studio would be operable again.
So that forced me to quit the internship, because the unemployment office would not let me wait for two months because they had put aside money for just that period. And Kate and Dave thought being a studio assistant would require a studio.
It’s a shame, but I learned a lot in the short time I was there though.

I’m now back to applying for jobs. But I got a plan figured out.. I’m not just going to responding to applications anymore, because that’s apparently useless.
Instead I thought I’d make a really nice printed portfolio. Then I’ll look up companies that sounds interesting and visit them and drop of the portfolio. I’m not sure how effective it will be, but I hope it will work.

I find it difficult determining exactly what kind of job I should apply for, where my skills would be useful. I’m going to include stuff like the Play Time icon set, 3 themes, some picture work, one vector logo and two dvd covert art works. It will all be in print, and I use the high res originals for the icons so they should look nice. And I’ve made custom snapshots of the themes containing as much elements as possible to show the kind of work that goes into it.

I thought that you reading this could perhaps give me tips on type of jobs, best way to present a portfolio etc. Or even, if you are a employer located in the Stockholm area in Sweden - I want a job, hire me!

The backup plan is to apply for stipendiums to go abroad and study, but I haven’t looked into that that much.

I’m also going to try and get a driving license. I’ve been a private student driver since January and I got it sorta figured. But now I’ve booked a lesson at the driving school so that I can finish up. I got the first lesson on Monday. I bet it will be much more giving than driving with my parents because they are not that good teachers..
FYI, Swedes are not allowed to get a license until 18 years of age, it’s possible to start practicing at 16 though.

So that’s my life at the moment I guess.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 6th, 2004 at 6:38 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Max, Might I also suggest making an online version of your portfolio. The best way to get a design job is ‘walk the pavement’, going to businesses and showing what you can do for them. If you know people in a business that you want to work for, see if they will write you a letter of support, never hurts. I wish you the best of luck. If i can help contact me in the forums.
Dave-oô

I do have an online portfolio, though only in Swedish.

Located here:
http://homepage.mac.com/max_08/portfolio/index.htm

Imo, most of the work is not that impressive..

Thanks for the tips, I’ll think about it!

Hey, try doing some business cards, brochure, letter heads, and page layouts if you get the chance. Those are nice to show off in a portfolio. If you’re not inspired: don’t force your work, it wont come out that well. Thanks for Brushed and all your great themes. Good luck!

Hey Max,

Don’t beat yourself up: “Imo, most of the work. . .etc. etc.” You are THE best VS themer out there for the Mac. Your attention to detail is what sets you apart from others. Your work is very “clean”. THAT is a extreme strong point, sell that. Your work is second to none buddy. If we’d lived closer together, I’d hire you in a heartbeat (or get you hired). Change that attitude, and (for the most part) you make your employeers feel like they “need” you. Seriously, its all about confidence and honesty. If you feel your portfolio is weak, well, that easily fixable, change something. Show as MUCH diversity as you can in your port. Thats what hurt me in going for a job, it wasn’t till I got hired at a place that I learned that. Being 18 and looking for a job can be very intimitating, but you keep your confidence and your head up. . . you’ll get what you want.

Change that attitude, you’re the man, believe you’re the man, and you will become “the man”.

(Then don’t let it go to your head.

are you planning on going to college?

hi max,

to keep it short: would u consider a move to another country if u got a good offer?

cheers,

schnuck

Max, I would never have thought you are so young.
Your artwork suggested a fully developped artist.
So may I suggest something I’d never say to anyone else:
Come here, to angoul±eme, the world capital “de la bande desssinÈ” the comic strip and moving pics.
Unemployment is astronomic here, but not for YOUR kind, that is AngoulÍme’s n?1 industry.
I mean it, I got enough friends working in that branch and I have been involved in publications for a loooong time.
Send your illustrations to the schools here or try a language course first and then find work. You will!

- I’ve thought about going to college, but I would rather work for some time first.

- Moving to an other country sounds a bit intimidating. It would have to be for a period of time, not permanent. I’m not sure I’m ready for that big of leap though.
The whole stipendium bit could work, I just haven’t looked into what kind of stipendiums there are and if there is any specific education that would suit me well.

- For now I’ll continue to work on the portfolio, I might post a pdf here so you can comment on it.

You’re a fantastic artist and I know you’ll be successful if you stick with it. College would be a very good thing (take it from a 37 year old who got a degree and sees friends and family wishing they had). Is it a guarantee of success? No, but it sure helps.

BTW: Any updates on nickelcobalt? I’m still really interested in seeing that one completed!

You should look into learning Flash and HTML. I worry that your portfolio is too weak when it comes to looking for work in the design world. My point about encouraging you to learn Flash and HTML is that if you were to couple that with your sensational graphical capabilities–that would make you into both a needed, and powerful web designer. And you’d rollin in that stinky dough–with fine ass bitches too.

Hey Max, you should offer graphic design services off your web site. Then take work as its requested. Your very talented and if you offered your talents right here of your site, I’m sure your get some takers.

Angel,

I have to completely disagree with you. There are way, way too many people that are trying to do it all, and not being incredible at one particular thing. Learning many talents can distract from getting to be a master at one thing. I understand that it is good to be knowledgeable in many aspects, but to try to mast them all is nothing but impossible. Max has an incredible gift for design and for illustration. I really think exploring that to the fullest extent he can right now would get him a lot further to wherever he wants to go.

I can think of a handful of places that would look at hiring him as an apprentice right now, but would require him to move across the pond here to the states. I do agree with Chris, though, as that would be a good way to bring in some money until he can secure a good position.

Max, if you choose to look abroad for apprenticeships, look at Boston. It is finally starting to come back from a creative recession, and will be hiring faster than ever in the next few years. Great, young talent will be the most in demand.

One last thing. Since themes are something you are known for, don’t be afraid to look at Interface design as a whole. It does not strive very far from what you are know for and appear to enjoy, but does put you in the realm of a much more specialized and sought after position. I know good interface designers that are doing six figure salaries here in the states. Themes are just one subset of interface design. Conceptualization is key and you appear to have that.

Whatever you decide to do, the rest of the people here and myself wish you the very greatest of success. Your career is just beginning, and how most of us who have been at it for years would love to be where you are again. Such an incredible time in a person’s life!

Okay, that sounded really harsh on Angel. I apologize. I guess it just hit a nerve. I won’t let that happen again!

-jason

It seems odd to expect to get any sort of significant job with only a high school education.

Jonathan, you might be right, but what it all comes down to is what you can’t be taught, which is natural talent. And Max has that in buckets. Best of luck to you, Max.

Hi Max,

I have never found work using employment agencies. These people never pick the best candidates.

Guess why? Because they are paid commission on each candidate they’ve placed and the sooner the guy gets kicked out the better - they’ll send another one for another fat fee.

If you have to go through employment agency make sure you do not look the best. Otherwise check the newspaper job supplements and contact direct advertisers.

Wish you a lot of luck - this is another essential element in getting a good job.

Hey Max!

I manage a Creative Services department for an investment firm in Canada, and when a position comes available I probably get 1000 or so applicants. Out of those I might receive 10 follow-ups, and our hire has always been one of those 10. I guess what I’m trying to say is that even though your portfolio is important, there’s more to it than that. We hire people, not graphic bots. So if and when you find a position you’re interested in, let them know. Don’t just settle for waiting. Find contact info and visit them in person. It will make a very positive impression.

Good luck!

J.

hey big artist,
i hope u get a nice job
i would go to publicers and stuff.
just show ur art. esspecually the smootrstripes gloss version:)
it rocks:)
keep it up u will get a job
its that we have enough ppl for my own company other wise u would be welcome to join:)

Thanks for all the comments people

The plan is still to make a portfolio and visit companies and hand it out. It’s progressing, although slowly and I’m gonna look into what it’s gonna cost to print it etc.

I’ve started taking driving lessons and it’s really rewarding. And I’m told that having a driving license also helps when applying for a job.

What Angel said about flash and html, while I do know some basic flash and html, I much prefer to work with graphics and not that much coding.

But I’m gonna continue my plan and work on the portfolio.

If it all comes crashing down I’ll start thinking about further education instead..

Have you thought about book design (printed books)? Layout and typesetting? If you know InDesign (or are a fast learner) and work on a Mac (as you obviously do — I love your designs), there’s a bit of work out there from publishers, and they don’t care what country you live in. All the work is done via email and FTP.

Write to me. I handle production for a bunch of publishers and may expand (with luck and legwork on my end).

Hang in there.

Layout and typesetting is not one of my favorites, I prefer to work with graphics. But thanks anyway.

Typesetting is a sh*t job, nothing worse than laying out text and styles on a document, its boring.

Working with colours, design and as Max said he prefers to work on design. If you great at what you do why change direction? It would be downgrading your skills.

I’m a huge fan of your work, and I still highly recommend college as a way not only to enhance your skills, but also to make connections. It’s a very competitive world, but you shouldn’t be in such a rush. I have a job working in the Entertainment Technology Center (ETC), a department at a university. It’s a grad program that takes artists and programmers and helps develop their skills, and more importantly, connects them with big companies like ILM, Pixar, EA, and Disney. These are companies where it’s very difficult to find work on your own, but through school, if you’ve got enough motivation, can get internships and get your foot in the door. You’ve got the talent to get into a fantastic art school. =)

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