E-dreamz Company Blog

I get a lot of resumes these days. After 10 years of running E-dreamz I am always delighted to see people interested in working here. Of course these days the resumes come in a bit more frequently, but I truly do appreciate and look at all of them. I meet with as many individuals as I can, whenever I can, regardless if there is an opening or not. One small enjoyment of owning and running a business is to witness complete strangers reaching out to you asking to become part of your team. Another is having the opportunity, if available, to hire those people.

I enjoy being able to offer a position to someone who is truly qualified and has earned that offer. It’s always exciting to bring a new member onto the team.

Now reality sometimes can be a harsh pill to swallow for those vying to get into an Interactive company. So let’s focus on what can qualify a canidate for a production position in a company like E-dreamz. This series is written in my opinion based on my experience in the field of Interactive Professional Services. I’m here to be direct and honest.

The areas of focus during my up coming BLOG series will be:
1. Design
2. Production Art
3. Engineering
4. Project Management

1. Design
The most interesting area of interest I come across often is Design. A lot of people want or claim to be Web Designer when they contact me. Key thing here to note is the word “Designer”. I always say to each candidate interested in this particular area is the very fact that you MUST be a good graphic designer above all else. What does that mean? If you ask yourself that question you should immediately skip to the next area of discussion. The sad thing is most people I see and talk to ask that very question which is a bit concerning to me. Knowing Flash, Photoshop, PC, MAC, Dreamweaver or whatever other software or hardware “tool” you may use to create your designs does not in anyway make you a good graphic designer. Yes, I have seen very poor designers who use MACs and some great ones who use a PC and vise versa. In the end they are only tools to help develop your creative talent.

Having a certificate or a degree from an instituation does not make you a good graphic designer. Most universities or certificate programs are not very well versed in graphic design. It’s one of dozens of programs they offer, but not usually one of focus. So be sure to always do your homework when picking out a university or a certificate program in Graphic Design. If they don’t take it seriously, you shouldn’t go there let alone spend thousands of dollars for a piece of paper.  

Most good designers were and probably still are into art in some form or fashion. I have never met a good designer who was not that kid who drew or painted all the time when growing up. They always had a creative side. They were always in art classes. It was never something they discovered when they went to college. Sure they learned fundamentals in college to enhance their creative talent, but they always knew they had a talent they could build on. Listen, I would love to play guitar like Eddie Van Halen, but I have no musical talent. Sure I can teach myself or be taught a few cords and play a mean air guitar, but that will never make me Eddie Van Halen. The base is just not there. Graphic Design ability, to some extent, is inherent in some people from an early age. Everyone can always continue to mature as a designer through school and other curriculums, but that initial creative talent is something that can never be taught.

The sad thing for me, in this area, is to witness good people spend a ton of money with an institution and be told they will make it as a graphic designer. The majority of portfolios I see and review are very average at best. And even in some cases people come in with no portfolio at all and still tell me they are trying to be a designer. Well if you don’t know what a portfolio is then you need to re-think your career direction. Just because we have the internet does not mean you don’t put a physical portfolio together to show and discuss your work with each potential employer. I enjoy seeing the passion and spark when people go through their designs. It says a lot about an individual. At the same time, I see and hear a lot of excuses for lackluster work when people show their portfolios. A big turn off for any employer is to hear individuals basically shoot down their own work.

Listen, I could go on forever on this topic. The key here again is to be a good creative “graphic designer” first and foremost. The other stuff comes later (ie: Flash, HTML, etc).

Understand graphic design fundamentals. Flourish in your creative side. Put together a high quality portfolio that shows the depth of your graphic design abilities and creative talent. Everything from Logos, Magazine Spreads, Web Design, Photography and Package Design….etc. Maybe have a few more of one sector you are more interested in (ie: web design). Never make up excuses of why something didn’t print or your professor made you do this or that. Your portfolio is about you and reflects you as a designer, no one else. Hold nothing back from making a great impression when you present your portfolio. Be proud of everything in it and present yourself in a professional manner at all times. If you do that you will truly have a career as a designer for a long time to come.

Next: Part 2 - Production Art
Summary: Hey, you may not be the best graphic designer in the world, but you sure know your way through all the latest tools and can construct a website from the front end aspect. Sound like you? If so, you may be a Production Artist.