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16 Questions About Being a Graphic Designer

by Donovan Beery on January 15, 2019 at 11:46 am
Posted In: Donovan Beery

I have a number of students ask to job shadow, which I always take as an hour or two to chat about design, and sometimes they have a few questions. Sometimes I get questions via email, and sometimes I remember that this site can be a bit more than the podcast we host on it. Anyway, I got a great email asking for help:

I’m working on a project for a college & career readiness class where my task is to interview someone corresponding to the field of work we plan to go into. I hope to become a graphic designer someday so I’m looking for someone of that profession to interview. The interview consists of 16 questions and can be answered as short or as long as you like.

I responded that I would be happy to, and thus, here are 16 questions and my short and/or long answers to them.

Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

I am a designer working in Omaha, Nebraska. Since 2002, I have been running Eleven19. I also host a graphic design podcast – The Reflex Blue Show – at 36 Point.

Why did you choose graphic design?

I wanted to do something creative since I can remember, but what that was always changed. Once I was at college, I saw the work from the design department, and switched my major a couple years in.

What do you like about working in this field?

On a good day, we get to be creative. Sometimes we get to solve a problem or two. Sometimes we get to make things that look cool. I have also found the profession has grown so much that you can change what you do if it no longer serves a need for yourself or the clients you work with.

What kind of graphic design do you currently do?

Since I have been in this profession, the majority of my work has been website design, and website development. I also do logos, brochures, and other printed items. This week I am working on three projects – finalizing a brochure, and working on two websites.

What sub genres of graphic design have you worked in the past?

I like this question, it sounds so cool. I am not sure I have worked on anything that cool or niche, but I have done a variety of projects. I guess I have done websites, logos, podcasting, blogging, and such…

What was your greatest achievement in this field?

Was?! I usually have to think a while, as I only focus on few things I am currently working on, thinking back is much harder to keep focused on. The most recent thing I was proud of was being in a Benson First Friday show with a piece I designed alongside my daughter – that was special.

What are some adversities you faced in your career?

Wow, these questions seemed to get real very fast. I just stared watching Game of Thrones this month (I know I am way behind, I am planning to catch up just before the final season), so I assume adversities are relative. Realizing that everything you do in this profession changes. Almost every aspect of website design is done differently that it was when I started, it’s about keeping somewhat current, taking chances, and continuing to learn. You lose clients and jobs, you have times where there is less work, you have times where you don’t want to work on certain things, but you get through them or you don’t design anymore I guess…

I’ve read that graphic design is very competitive. Did you ever have trouble finding work?

This is the struggle that never ends. It’s not just finding work though (although you do need any work at times), it’s finding the right work. Certain projects are better fits for what you do, and it takes a while to figure out what those are, and to be honest with yourself about if projects and/or clients are going to be ones that are fulfilling or draining to you. I have found the projects I get the most out of usually involve the person I am working with, as if the working relationship is good, the work is better.

Do you prefer freelance or working with an agency or business more?

I have found I enjoy working in a 1-2 person agency, but have also had a lot of great projects that involved working with a slightly larger agency.

Are you satisfied working in this field? Why or why not?

Yes. It allows constant learning and growth. If you ever end at a place where you quit learning, and you are not doing work you can be proud of, it’s time to start looking.

What are some skills you think are crucial for a graphic designer to have?

A desire to continue to be better. The ability to communicate your ideas to others. Being able to work with others.

What is the most important thing that should go in a graphic design portfolio?

The type of work you want to do. If you don’t show people the things you would like to work on, they will rarely think to ask you to help with them.

What sort of programs or materials do you use when doing your job?

The software changes all the time, but right now I’m using Adobe products for design (mostly Photoshop and InDesign), and a code editor for HTML/CSS coding.

What do you think is a crucial characteristic every graphic designer should have?

The willingness to experiment and try something new. The ability to fail and try again.

Have you ever hit a creative block? If so, how did you deal with it?

Always, but you still have to do the work. Sketching and research are the two things that always help. Also, leaving your chair and taking a 10 minute stroll does wonders. WONDERS.

What advice can you give for someone going into this field of work?

Do work outside of class. You can tell almost immediately upon looking at a students portfolio on if they only do the work assigned to them, or if they are doing projects on their own. Even when the self-initiated work isn’t shown, the other work starts to appear much stronger from just doing work.

Thanks again!

Oh, thank you, this was fun.

└ Tags: graphic design, mail, questions
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Grain & Mortar: The Reflex Blue Show #196

by Donovan Beery on November 19, 2018 at 5:00 pm
Posted In: The Reflex Blue Show

Grain & Mortar: The Reflex Blue Show #196

Grain & Mortar has been an award-winning branding and web development studio in Omaha, Nebraska since 2011, but 2018 brought them into the business of selling pants as well. Kristin DeKay, Eric Downs, and Jesse Harding stop by The Reflex Blue Show to discuss a little bit of the Grain & Mortar backstory, and then jumping to right around a year ago in buying a 135 year old building.

The new office location, as well as a legit storefront, got them to start one of their other goals – a retail shop selling men’s goods at 1414 South 13th Street. We talk about some of the things involved in opening and running Vincent Outfitting Company, the safari swords that come through the door, and more.

By the way, the Vincent Outfitters Company store really does look great. Getting a tour of the entire building a month before we recorded really showed the amount of effort and care the folks at Grain & Mortar put into their new space. Be sure to visit them this holiday season if you are in the area.

As for The Reflex Blue Show, as we record around half of our episodes at Eleven19, it’s fun to actually record season 11, episode 19 (and fittingly release this episode on November 19). Between this podcast and the Be A Design Cast that proceeded it, this month marks my 13th year of podcasting, which sounds a bit crazy to even type out. I really do appreciate the people I’ve been able to meet either in-person or online because of it, and give huge thanks to all of our great listeners who make it worthwhile.

We’ll be back in 2019 with season twelve, but until then…

Enjoy.

Download The Reflex Blue Show

Subscribe to The Reflex Blue Show in iTunes

The Reflex Blue Show

http://www.36point.com/podcasts/TheReflexBlueShow_196.m4a

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

└ Tags: design podcast, Donovan Beery, Eric Downs, grain & mortar, interview, Jesse Harding, Kristin DeKay, men's clothing store, nebraska, omaha, opening a retail store, podcast, raw denim, The Reflex Blue Show, Vincent Outfitting Company
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John Sayles: The Reflex Blue Show #195

by Donovan Beery on October 10, 2018 at 1:44 pm
Posted In: The Reflex Blue Show

John Sayles: The Reflex Blue Show #195

John Sayles (of J. Sayles Design in Des Moines, Iowa) stopped by the Eleven19 studio to talk about being in the design industry for over three decades.

But first things first – pork chops and vodka! For those who have never been, the Iowa State Fair is huge – HUUUUGE – and one of the top attractions is the Pork Tent J. Sayles Design worked on. That, and Jalapeno Pete’s just down the fair grounds (which is also a Sayles design). So, how big is the fair? Pete’s will go through 130 kegs in one night, and 5-6,000 pork chops are served up per day. Like I said, it is HUGE. Speaking of which, I missed it again this year, and really should not have. Next year. Let’s go with that. I need to visit the butter cow before 2019 ends (I remember seeing the Butter Superman, as well as Butter Harry Potter, so 2006 and 2007 must have been the years I attended, oh 2019 Fair, you cannot come soon enough).

Now, for the vodka, and it is SWELL. After years of doing design work for others in the beverage industry (which he still does for places like Peace Tree Brewing), John decided to take the advice he gives out to clients, and put it into his own vodka company – and thus, SWELL Vodka was born. We talk about the first three years of running a second business, and what is involved, and regulations, so many regulations.

We also talk about how design can lead to changes in housing for the homeless, doing work for hundreds of clients over the years (including a 5-times platinum Lynyrd Skynyrd album), some student advice, and more.

Enjoy.

Download The Reflex Blue Show

Subscribe to The Reflex Blue Show in iTunes

The Reflex Blue Show

http://www.36point.com/podcasts/TheReflexBlueShow_195.m4a

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

└ Tags: des moines, Donovan Beery, graphic design podcast, interview, iowa state fair, Jalapeno Pete's, john styles, omaha, podcast, student advice, styles design, swell vodka, The Reflex Blue Show
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Steve Gordon & Paul Meyer: The Reflex Blue Show #194

by Donovan Beery on September 28, 2018 at 4:26 pm
Posted In: The Reflex Blue Show

Steve Gordon & Paul Meyer: The Reflex Blue Show #194

Steve Gordon and Paul Meyer stop by The Reflex Blue Show to talk about the current things going on in the design world.

We recorded this a day or two after Apple’s announcements of a new phone line – and a big advancement in their watch technology. I know I’ll eventually end up with a new iPhone at sometime…but who knows when that’ll be, as I’m pretty set on just riding my phone out until it decides it’s time. I do look forward to Steve sending me hourly memos from his watch – just to let me know he got the new one though…

We also cover trends (note: you NEED a ‪#‎HVYCRWN‬ fanny pack – make this happen).

And a large chunk of time is of us trying to remember if the Apple IIE had an optional color monitor. I WAS RIGHT! Steve check this – someone playing Oregon Trail on a color monitor. And the IIE was nothing, if not a way to play Oregon Trail. I can feel the dysentery coming on now, and it’s not good.

Enjoy.

Download The Reflex Blue Show

Subscribe to The Reflex Blue Show in iTunes

The Reflex Blue Show

http://www.36point.com/podcasts/TheReflexBlueShow_194.m4a

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

└ Tags: apple announcements, apple watch, Donovan Beery, fanny packs, interview, oregon trail, paul meyer, podcast, rdqlus, steve gordon, The Reflex Blue Show, trends
 Comment 

Elizabeth Edwards: The Reflex Blue Show #193

by Donovan Beery on September 17, 2018 at 10:56 am
Posted In: The Reflex Blue Show

Elizabeth Edwards: The Reflex Blue Show #193

Elizabeth Edwards (Volume PR and 11th Octave) joins The Reflex Blue Show to talk PR and psychology.

Once again, recorded in the hallway (and still very obviously between sessions at the event) at the OnBrand Conference in Omaha – a collaboration of the local AAF, AIGA, AMA, and PRSA chapters.

Elizabeth was the luncheon keynote speaker, and gave a great presentation about the intersections between human behavior, science, and communication. How can we use behavioral science and psychology to make communication more effective? And also, how can we test the results of these things? Elizabeth is working to make public relations and psychology work together as a form of communication science.

This is the last of the podcasts recorded at OnBrand 2018. What a great event – and I look forward to seeing how it evolves in the years to come. In the world of design, we don’t all do public relations, marketing, and advertising as well, but there is an overlap. And at one point or another, we seem to all work on something that involves parts of the other, or with someone who specializes in one of these fields. It was a lot of fun spending the day in Omaha at an event focusing on all of these professions, and how they work together in branding. Thanks again to the four organizations that put this event on.

Enjoy.

Download The Reflex Blue Show

Subscribe to The Reflex Blue Show in iTunes

The Reflex Blue Show

http://www.36point.com/podcasts/TheReflexBlueShow_193.m4a

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

└ Tags: 11th octave, Donovan Beery, elizabeth edwards, interview, onboard conference, onbrand, podcast, psychology, public relations, The Reflex Blue Show, volume pr
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