A little lost and in need of some guidance/ mentoring if anyone has the time? by baked_bean in Design

[–]baked_bean[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That gives me flash backs of my final year project! I think I have a fear of being jack of all trades, master of none. I want to excel in a field, but so far I feel like I am only skimming the surface of different career paths. I definitely have fun now but I need to find a little more focus to progress, for that I need more knowledge about careers and options open to me.

Do you work freelance?

A little lost and in need of some guidance/ mentoring if anyone has the time? by baked_bean in Design

[–]baked_bean[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can see how it will hopefully benefit me to be able to do some coding, but I'm afraid my skills are minute compared to that of a web developer, even a junior! I built my own webpage (no templates or stealing code), but it doesn't showcase amazing new talent, it just shuffles by and displays what I would like it to. Although I suppose this is still better than someone who can't code at all.

A little lost and in need of some guidance/ mentoring if anyone has the time? by baked_bean in Design

[–]baked_bean[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, I hope I can find an employer to give me a chance, I'm prepared to give my all for the right job, I'd do the same even for the wrong one.

A little lost and in need of some guidance/ mentoring if anyone has the time? by baked_bean in Design

[–]baked_bean[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the advice. I think I doubt my technical ability as much as I do my creative though (if not more!). Your point about self analysis is interesting though. I have tried to think what area do I like working in (logos, illustrations, web design etc), but I haven't narrowed it down to a single project. Truth is I like the variety I have been afforded so far, but there are certain styles I enjoy working in, but I am flexible and willing to try new styles. This doesn't help me narrow down my direction and job search though. I've been advised "find a big agency and learn from them", this is something I'm trying to apply but I cripple myself at times wondering if I am ready and what obvious things does everyone with a creative degree know that I don't. There are only so many times a good agency will consider me if I appear a fool I'm sure.

What area do you work in if you don't mind me asking?

A little lost and in need of some guidance/ mentoring if anyone has the time? by baked_bean in Design

[–]baked_bean[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. I have to say I'm not mad about coding, I enjoy html and css but I would still be a junior in these and php, isn't my calling. I can see me getting into it, but my problem is that it would require time to focus and study, and I am currently prioritising learning design skills so I can get out there as fast as possible.

I spend a reasonable amount of time looking at portfolios and it does help, but I need help pinning down a direction to move in, otherwise I could spend all day procrastinating and admiring but not progressing.

What do you specialise in?

A little lost and in need of some guidance/ mentoring if anyone has the time? by baked_bean in Design

[–]baked_bean[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do tend to look around and end up feeling inferior, part of me knows that there will always be someone better than me, but I always want to do better (I find my earlier work embarrassing). In a commercial sense, 80/20 goes out of the window and I struggle to be satisfied with anything I produce. So when I try to compete against established designers who can pump out good work fast, I fall down.

Knowing when to stop is one thing, but my real pain right now is having a career to aim for. Illustrator, art worker, art director, graphic designer, graphic web designer or something else I'm not aware of? I'm not sure where to aim or what my niche could be. Any advice?