Graphic Design & Illustration CAREER INSIGHT
LJMU CAREERS TEAM 0151 231 2048/3719 ❚ careers@ljmu.ac.uk
www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers
Career Insight: Graphic Design and Illustration
Introduction Around 185,000 people work across the design sector as a whole. There are nearly 40,000 businesses working in graphic design, ranging from major agencies to sole freelancers. Agencies carry out graphic design work for a range of clients. They may specialise in advertising, corporate communications or general graphic design. Many large organisations have in-house design teams. These include publishers, banks, retailers, government departments, local authorities, universities and packaging companies.
Jobs directly related to your degree include: Advertising Art Director http://www.prospects.ac.uk/advertising_art_director_job_description.htm Animator http://www.prospects.ac.uk/animator_job_description.htm Graphic designer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/graphic_designer_job_description.htm Illustrator http://www.prospects.ac.uk/illustrator_job_description.htm Printmaker http://www.prospects.ac.uk/printmaker_job_description.htm Production designer,theatre/television/film http://www.prospects.ac.uk/production_designer_theatre_television_film_job_description.htm
Jobs where your degree would be useful include: Fine Artist http://www.prospects.ac.uk/fine_artist_job_description.htm Medical illustrator http://www.prospects.ac.uk/medical_illustrator_job_description.htm Multimedia special http://www.prospects.ac.uk/multimedia_specialist_job_description.htm Photographer http://www.prospects.ac.uk/photographer_job_description.htm
Previous Employers:
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PRAXIS 42
TRINITY MIRROR
NONCONFORM
MILLS MEDIA
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Graphic Design and Illustration
MOCHA PRODUCTIONS LTD
LIQUID
MOTT MC DONALD
SHOP DIRECT GROUP
CREATIVE REVITALIST
PRIMEFOCUS
THE DESIGNER'S REPUBLIC
MERCY DESIGNS LTD
Useful websites:
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Design Week
http://www.designweek.co.uk/
Mad
http://www.mad.co.uk/
Association of Illustrators
http://www.theaoi.com/
Media Week
http://www.mediaweekjobs.co.uk/
Edge
http://www.edge-online.com/
Freelancers Net
http://www.freelancers.net/
Guardian Jobs
http://jobs.guardian.co.uk/
Creative Pool
http://www.creativepool.co.uk/
Creative Review
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/
Design Jobs Board
http://www.designjobsboard.com/
Campaign
http://www.campaignjobs.co.uk/
Writers and Artists year Book
http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/
Children’s Illustrators
http://www.childrensillustrators.com/
Creative Opportunities
http://www.childrensillustrators.com/
Arts Jobs
http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/
Printmakers Council
http://www.printmakerscouncil.com/
British Interactive Media Association
http://www.bima.co.uk/
The IT Job
http://uk.theitjob.com/
The Times
http://jobs.thetimes.co.uk/jobs
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Graphic Design and Illustration
Follow relevant companies/websites through Twitter:
@LJMUCareers
@BritishArts
@theaoi
@Design_Week
You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn profile and follow relevant organisations through Twitter to keep up to date with opportunities and developments in the creative industries. Many employers use social media to post work experience opportunities so take advantage of using the sites to help you make links and find out more about what opportunities are out there.
Sources of work experience Gaining experience, whether it is through graphic design or in other areas of the creative industries, is really important. Networking is crucial and many contracts are filled through contacts and links with people who have worked together before. Download our mini-guide on “Making yourself employable whilst at University” from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm for an overview of the different types of work experience available and some general suggestions about finding work experience opportunities. LJMU has been managing a summer internship programme for Level 5 students in recent years, so keep an eye on your LJMU inbox for details of any opportunities. Contacting design organisations directly at networking events, via email or through LinkedIn may lead to work experience. It is important that you demonstrate that you are interested in the company and have spent some time finding what they do. Even when applying to secure work experience for the first time in this industry, show the employer what you have to offer. Briefly outline the relevancy of your course. Look at the skills outlined above and try to discuss these in your CV, drawing on examples from your course and other work experience or extra-curricular activities to demonstrate these skills. Useful websites to research a range of voluntary opportunities include http://www.do-it.org.uk/ and https://www.liverpoolguild.org/main-menu/volunteer. You could also contact LJMU Volunteering Manager Chris Prescott on 0151 904 6356 or c.j.prescott@ljmu.ac.uk to enquire about current opportunities. It is also worth researching relevant organisations/charities and contacting them directly to find out about voluntary roles on offer.
Recruitment schedules Design positions come up as and when required. It is important that you network and engage with employers and utilise the websites and Twitter feeds above to find out about opportunities. Many other roles within the creative industries will be through small or medium sized enterprises/businesses (SMEs). These types of SMEs will recruit ‘as required’. They may use their own application form but most applications will be by CV and covering letter. These positions will be advertised on company websites, relevant recruitment websites and national and local newspapers. The ‘creative’ or ‘speculative’ approach to job hunting is also important when looking for graduate roles. Making contacts and approaching organisations speculatively to look for work is a common route into employment. For more information about the speculative approach to job hunting, download a copy of our guide to ‘The Hidden Jobs Market’ from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm.
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Graphic Design and Illustration
Roles within public sector organisations, such as schools or museums, or creative organisations such as galleries, also recruit as required. However, it is more common to apply using an application form. A comprehensive person specification is usually included in the advertisement. Each point in this has to be addressed within the personal statement section within the application form. If you decide to take a different path outside the creative industries you can look at graduate training schemes, many of which are open to graduates from any discipline. If you are interested in these roles you will need to be aware of the graduate recruitment cycle. Many recruiters begin the graduate recruitment process during the autumn term for final year students. Most closing dates are in November and December but some are earlier so it is important to start researching companies that you want to apply to early on. The application process usually involves completing an online application form, which may require you to answer ‘competency based questions’. Psychometric tests, a telephone interview and an assessment centre will usually follow. You may also need to submit your CV. Always carefully read through the information in the ‘careers’ or ‘graduates’ section of the employer’s website. For more information about graduate schemes, download the ‘Graduate Schemes’ guide from https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/careers/123871.htm. You can get advice about the recruitment process by booking a one-to-one appointment with a careers or employability adviser at your nearest Careers Zone or you can attend workshops or webinar run by the Careers Team.
Key events and networking
Liverpool Careers Fair: usually held in the autumn and spring of each year, see fairs website http://www.liverpoolfairs.org.uk/ for additional events
Manchester Careers Fairs: open to students and graduates from any university; check http://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/students/events/ for details
Careers and Employability events at LJMU: Keep an eye on our events pages at https://careers.ljmu.ac.uk for details of upcoming employability workshops, networking sessions and employer talks.
LiverpoolSU Clubs and Societies: http://ljmu.unioncloud.org/groups#club-society
LinkedIn: You could also consider setting up a LinkedIn account (http://www.linkedin.com/) to network online with professionals and organisations in your chosen industry
Other information Centre for Entrepreneurship - support for LJMU students and graduates interested in starting up their own business https://www2.ljmu.ac.uk/startup/.
Careers Zones Campus-based Careers Zones provide easy access to careers support in convenient locations at Byrom Street, Aldham Robarts Library and at IM Marsh, staffed by the Careers Team. Support available includes CV and application form reviews, Careers Adviser appointments, drop-in quick queries, practice interviews and access to careers resources and information. The Zones also host regular employer visits during term time where you can meet and network with employers and
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© 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Graphic Design and Illustration
discuss job and placement opportunities. For the latest updates and details of locations and opening times, try our Twitter and Facebook pages.
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Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
Career Insight: Graphic Design and Illustration
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Š 2017. Liverpool John Moores University. The content of this document is copyright material of Liverpool John Moores University. No part of this document may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission of the copyright owner.
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