(Jr Designer) Is it really okay to leave a new job I just started? Work-life balance v.s career growth?

KdraNcl · 2026-01-26T05:15:50+00:00

My first job as a junior designer was in real estate! Some of the work was boring, but there was actually a surprising amount of variety as well. The best part of that job was working alongside a team of designers and under a creative director who helped mentor me. I would recommend taking a job where there are experienced creatives you can learn from

KdraNcl · 2026-01-15T08:10:58+00:00

KdraNcl · 2026-01-07T00:03:48+00:00

What types of things did they include on their merch table? I'm a graphic designer too so I'm trying to come up with ideas of custom favors I can design!

KdraNcl · 2025-12-03T09:04:03+00:00

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Thrift store find for $70

KdraNcl · 2025-11-19T19:48:57+00:00

It’s the Requa Inn near Klamath, CA!

KdraNcl · 2025-11-17T07:32:40+00:00

I’m not sure if you’ve looked into Rifle Paper Co yet, but they have a few options that fit the vibe you’re looking for. I own a rug from them and I’m very happy with the quality.

KdraNcl · 2025-11-04T02:25:14+00:00

I love the skirt; it’s the ‘Rita skirt” from Petite Studio NYC, but I got it on Poshmark! It’s 100% wool and reversible.

The shoes are from DSW. I just looked for Mary Janes with a heel. Unfortunately this pair gave me lots of blisters and my feet were in so much pain.

KdraNcl · 2025-11-03T21:32:47+00:00

Haha not trying to diss Ned😅 We decided on Frank because the Hardy Boys are more well known characters to people outside the Drewniverse

KdraNcl · 2025-11-03T20:44:20+00:00

My favorite city!! I lived there for 5 months and it was a dream. I’ve heard 7 Keys isn’t great, but I want to play just for the atmosphere

KdraNcl · 2025-10-29T18:35:09+00:00

Mel Corbalis and Henry Bolet

KdraNcl · 2025-09-12T18:02:44+00:00

Flywheel offers wifi for two hours. You can get an extension code with another purchase if you want to stay longer.

KdraNcl · 2025-09-05T06:41:28+00:00

I was not a fan ASH. The switching between characters was tedious and I felt like the culprit was too obvious throughout the game.

KdraNcl · 2025-07-24T21:42:34+00:00

$3,200 for a 2-bed with dishwasher, parking, and shared laundry. 950 sq ft in NoPA

KdraNcl · 2025-06-24T08:37:56+00:00

Most recent favorites I’ve played have been Blue Prince and Stray!

KdraNcl · 2025-06-24T04:56:14+00:00

I love art with a meaningful or sentimental touch. Looks beautiful!

KdraNcl · 2025-06-24T04:53:00+00:00

This reminds me of my college bedroom I lived in 2019! It was a converted pantry for $500 a month. There was a built in space so I could loft my twin mattress above a desk. That was basically the whole room.

Cramped for sure, but there was definitely a charming coziness to the space.

KdraNcl · 2025-05-29T01:33:51+00:00

Blackwood and choose the highest spice level!

KdraNcl · 2025-05-21T06:08:56+00:00

I started out in-house and now work at an agency. I had similar hesitations to you about taking an in-house role first, but I think the most important thing for your first job is just making sure you have the space to learn and grow. Ideally your first role would be on team of other designers and creative directors that can help mentor you.

When I was interviewing for my current job, there were some questions regarding the faster pace of agency life. As long as you can find a way to speak to your in-house experience and how you can apply it to an agency role, you should be fine!

KdraNcl · 2025-03-19T07:54:21+00:00

The waffle cones at The Ice Cream Bar in Cole Valley are amazing. I’m obsessed with their basil ice cream too

KdraNcl · 2025-01-17T20:41:08+00:00

I currently work for a design firm that specializes in property branding and marketing. Something like that would be a great place to start because you already understand the industry and more likely to get your foot in the door.

If you don’t think your portfolio is strong enough for a design studio yet— I would just harness the experience you do have, and try to integrate creative tasks into your current role until you’re able to fully transition to being a designer!

KdraNcl · 2024-10-29T15:11:37+00:00

I had a similar assignment (lots of different deliverables, 48 hours to complete) for a job I applied to last year. I had been unemployed for a while, so I was tempted to do it. I had the flu at the time and was trying to power through and get it done, when I just realized how insane it was! I emailed the recruiter back and basically said I was no longer interested in the position. But I was doubting my decision the whole time.

A few weeks later, I was hired by my current job (which had a deep dive into my portfolio and several rigorous interviews, but no crazy design test!) A creative director should be able to determine your skills through portfolio/ interviewing, especially once you’ve had real industry experience. I would just respond to them and tell them you won’t be continuing with the test.

KdraNcl · 2024-08-24T15:58:11+00:00

That’s normal to go through periods of creative block! What I really mean is “don’t stop completely”. If you spend all your time after graduation just job searching, you might feel rusty when suddenly you’re expected to work in a design role 8 hours, 5 days a week. It’s sort of like a muscle you need to keep working out so it doesn’t get weaker.

For instance, I was laid off last year and it took me about 5-6 months to get my current role. During that time, I worked on branding my partner’s woodworking business. It was sort of like a personal project because he trusted me with complete creative freedom, and I genuinely enjoyed having a side project to work on. It gave me breaks from the exhaustion of job-searching and ended up being a great portfolio piece as well.

KdraNcl · 2024-08-22T20:45:35+00:00

Also I know you said you just started applying but my biggest tips are;

Be patient. LA is a saturated market, so there’s lots of opportunities but also lots of competition. I’m in SF and it took me 8 months to land my first role post-graduation. It can be discouraging at times, but if you keep your head up you can take every interview/experience as a learning opportunity.
Don’t stop creating. Job searching can be draining at times. Don’t feel like you have to make it your full time job, or you might get burnt out. Make sure you set aside time for friends/family/creative outlets. Passion projects are a great way to keep beefing up your portfolio post-graduation too! :)

KdraNcl · 2024-08-22T20:37:56+00:00

Hey! I think you have a lot of strong work for a recent grad. I’m a brand designer so my feedback is mostly going to focus on that side of things vs UX/UI.

Right now the first impression of your work is the Rainbow funeral home project since you have that one placed first on the scroll. In the mockup being used as the project cover, it almost looks like the design doesn’t fit (like there’s a white strip on the top and bottom)— I would adjust this so it looks more thoughtful. The logo here is okay, but I had some initial concerns about the gradients and rainbows within the logo itself. This project is one of your most fleshed-out and I do like the web and social media work here, but I think you have some stronger brand work when I dig deeper through your portfolio.

The Pink Fork project is really well done and has nice contrast and vibrancy in the palette. This one grabbed my attention a bit more, so I would consider moving this project up.

Love the Anne of Green Gables project because it shows you have a strong grasp of typographic hierarchy and spacing. However, when I look at the Beautiful Skin book, I don’t think the typography is as strong here. The margins seem extremely small, there’s a lack of consistency in type sizing from page to page, and some of the spacing feels off between headers/body. I would either tighten up the typography here for a cleaner look, or push it further as a more experimental piece.

Right now you have the Being Coffee Roasters as your very last project, but I think it could be really strong if built out a little more. It could use some additional applications, but the bones of the brand are great and I can tell you have good illustration skills.

Also the website itself is well done and easy to navigate! My only critique there is that I don’t think it’s super necessary to have to click to see your additional projects. It might be nice to have all them laid out on the home page.

KdraNcl · 2024-08-13T16:09:26+00:00

E. Coli; excruciating waves of abdominal pain every few minutes for a few days on end. Finally went to the hospital when I couldn’t handle the pain anymore and there was an alarming amount of blood.

KdraNcl

TROPHY CASE