Taken Seriously or No? Redesigning yourself.

[DiVarlo]

Hello forum, first-time member and poster here with a seriously introspective question: that of REmaking one's own career. I invite ALL opinions and answers to this question...I am ESPECIALLY seeking those of Creative Directors and people who hire for Creative Firms...as well as someone who has made a similar change to their career.

I have been a Graphic Designer in print production and prepress for my entire 'career'. Currently, and for the last five years, I have been a Designer in the Quick Sign industry (yes, the ones which promise your yard sale signs and Church banners within a day or two). I am nearly forty-three and feel totally trapped.

My desire is to get out of signage and the like and begin a new phase of my career solely as a Creative Designer with an Agency. The problem (as I see it) is that my Prepress and Production "Print House" career is casting an unfavorable light on me, causing potential Agency employers to look at my resume and (hopefully not) laugh. I suppose that the CDs at the agencies I have sent resumes to must see me as the blue collar worker of the graphics field...which simply isn't so, in reality. I have the same education and, often, more experience than the Designers I prepare and Print for (and it shows in some of the files I receive from them!)

How do you position yourself to be a candidate for Creative Agencies?

[One_Tree_Studio]

Divarlo,

I have read your post and am sorry to say that I have no answer to give which would make any difference. It seems to me that it is all in the perception that you build around yourself tho. Like any great marketing campaign, build the right persona and people will buy it.

NOW, for another answer. The answer to why this and so many other varied posts on this site (and others) go unanswered. In my experience most designers are self-protective, nose-in-the-air, self-appointed elitist "geniuses" (and yes 'geniuses' is in quotes). They are unwilling to take time to help anyone because it does not profit them and there is no glory or credit to be had in doing so.


A shame, isn't it?