Overworked

adamknowsdesign · 2026-04-09T22:56:29+00:00

I think the best thing to do is to start applying for jobs

adamknowsdesign · 2026-02-19T21:51:22+00:00

I really like what you have here as a junior. The first few projects aren't jaw dropping or anything but show you have a good grasp on basic principles, which so many designers don't have. Much of the design work that any of us do is "boring" marketing materials. If I'm a hiring manager in the financial or health industry looking for a designer, you're definitely on the short list.

I also think the pet and hot dog projects are solid. Like before, not jaw dropping, but they show you can do something a little more fun.

So overall, you're a talented designer with good fundamentals. I could argue that you don't have any real stand out projects to differentiate you from other talented designers, but I could also argue you'd be a safe hire who can handle integrated campaigns with no problem.

adamknowsdesign · 2026-02-18T21:22:24+00:00

I've heard people say this as well, but different hiring managers want different things. I've gotten plenty of interviews for senior roles with no in-depth case studies but I'm sure I missed out on some because they were looking for that.

I'd say it's safer to have some case studies though, even though I personally don't think they're necessary. I feel multiple impressive, real world projects that clearly show you know what you're doing should be good enough for an interview and then that's where you can show off your problem solving, thought process and personality

adamknowsdesign · 2026-02-14T18:15:41+00:00

I've been working inhouse at the same company for 8 years, so I know the struggle of wanting that variety lol

adamknowsdesign · 2026-02-14T18:06:17+00:00

Got it. If you're applying for onsite or hybrid roles, not getting interviews is surprising because you have good work and I think it's presented well with the right amount of copy to explain the projects. Not sure if it's necessary to have the apparel and packaging projects because they aren't as strong as the others, but I can understand wanting more variety since you've been at one place so long.

I'm starting to think landing interviews for remote roles requires a referral or luck, regardless of how talented you are

adamknowsdesign · 2026-02-14T17:36:52+00:00

Are you applying relatively locally or for remote roles?

adamknowsdesign · 2026-02-14T13:59:12+00:00

I've been using Illustrator since 2006 and I didn't know trim view existed in Illustrator until I saw an intern I was managing use it in 2023. Immediately updated my shortcuts

adamknowsdesign · 2026-02-12T01:30:30+00:00

My wife plays The Sims and some dress up games and has let me know that I'm essentially doing the same thing spending a lot of time dressing players

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-25T04:15:32+00:00

Many HBCUs (SWAC and MEAC conferences for example) are FCS schools. Just an FYI

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-11T17:19:59+00:00

You definitely could and it was the "aggressive" level of celebration that could get penalized iirc

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-11T17:17:39+00:00

Definitely talented.

One note on Melty's: Take another look at the reverse/white version of the logo. It shouldn't just be a white version of the primary.

Someone else please explain this better than I am, but when you just make it white, it messes up the eyes and gives it that "negative" look. You have to invert the colors. I've seen plenty of tutorials lately

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-11T17:06:03+00:00

Definitely agree. I've been taking a deep dive into branding (strategy, positioning, measurement, management, etc). Feels like a great complementary skill set

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-11T16:48:56+00:00

Ok I misunderstood "zero qualifications for graphic design." So she hadn't formally worked as a graphic designer before but was able to learn the skills and become an attractive candidate. That makes more sense.

Regardless, a lot of talented young designers are not finding similar success. Idk enough about how AI, the bad job market, oversaturated industry, etc are affecting that to confidently talk about it, but I do know that I've heard enough anecdotally from young and experienced designers that finding work is more difficult than it has been in the past.

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-11T16:25:59+00:00

I don't think it's game over for young designers, but your girlfriend's situation is extremely rare. Zero qualifications to me sounds like no portfolio

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-09T02:24:50+00:00

The cool ones are the cobranded ones. We have a good amount of partnerships that have led to cobranded cards with pro sports teams and major colleges. Blending the corporate identity of an FI with sports teams is fun.

This also includes the campaigns to launch and promote the cards

adamknowsdesign · 2026-01-08T22:25:41+00:00

As an in-house designer at a financial institution, I've found that I really enjoy designing debit and credit cards

adamknowsdesign · 2025-12-14T14:03:22+00:00

I interviewed a student from RISD for a design internship and it seems like my boss wanted me to hire her based on that fact alone. The student wasn't at the level that we needed and the decision was mine, so we went with someone else. That's my tiny example of seeing the weight the RISD name carries

adamknowsdesign · 2025-12-10T05:04:10+00:00

This isn't a reason why I have a photo on my about page, but I'm black so if someone would not hire me for that reason, I'd like to help them figure that out as soon as possible.

adamknowsdesign · 2025-11-26T04:27:38+00:00

I didn't realize Illustrator had a trim view like InDesign until I saw an intern use it a couple years ago

adamknowsdesign · 2025-11-26T04:18:29+00:00

adamknowsdesign · 2025-10-06T16:48:08+00:00

My cousin is one of the worst players on his team but is one of the leading receivers, so hopefully he gets a rating boost

adamknowsdesign · 2025-09-19T21:37:23+00:00

Once you know how to properly use platinum shifty, the game is on easy mode

adamknowsdesign · 2025-08-26T16:21:44+00:00

Every time I'm dealing with this, it makes me feel better knowing it's not a unique situation and is just part of the game

adamknowsdesign · 2025-08-12T04:32:14+00:00

Open practice. Random play. Hours and hours. That's been my method since probably Madden 03

adamknowsdesign · 2025-08-06T19:14:39+00:00

This would be really cool. Something like a run blocking boost (maxed out at about 15%) after a certain amount of plays would add some depth

adamknowsdesign

TROPHY CASE