Zeegen, L. (2008) ‘Design graduate’s survival guide’, Computer Arts 151, 2008, p.37

Zeegen (2008)

Zeegen, L. (2008 ) ‘Design graduate’s survival guide’, Computer Arts 151, 2008, p.37

A section of the article on post-graduate employment for creative arts practitioners focuses on portfolios. The author comments on a the need for students to represent a range of skill dimensions through the portfolio, reflecting its complexity and scope for purpose. Zeegen states, “Anyone viewing your body of work should be able to comprehend your take on design, visualise your aspirations as a designer and get a real flavour of what motivates and interests you.” These three facets alone illustrate the challenge of visually articulating abstract skill types in a tangible form.

Creative Review (2004) ‘How to get a Job’ Creative Review, Nov 2004, p37

Creative Review (2004) ‘How to get a Job’ Creative Review, Nov 2004, p37

Significantly, the article talks extensively about the use of traditional paper-based portfolios during interviews for jobs in the design sector. This goes against the other emerging idea of digital portfolios being used by graduates and employers aside of the interview period. The implication is that the physical portfolio is still seen as important; “…it is always good to include hard copies for the ‘feel factor’.”

The article also focuses on the need for graduates to tailor their portfolio for the individual company that they are aiming to gain employment with one interviewee stating that they are including information about how to do this on their website. “Candidates themselves can prepare by tailoring their portfolio to suit the job which they are up for.”

Burgoyne, P. (2004) ‘Experience Necessary’ Creative Review, March 2004, p10

Burgoyne, P. (2004) ‘Experience Necessary’ Creative Review, March 2004, p10

This short editorial from the popular art and design publication, Creative Review, describes the magazine’s focus for the month, work placement. It highlights the importance of placement in enabling graduates to get work in art and design, but also acknowledges the other elements of employability. “Placements, along with the right personality and a portfolio that demonstrates the ability to think conceptually as well as handle type and images competently, are the essential ingredients for any graduate CV.”

Booth, H. (2004) ‘Products of Placement’ Design Week, 18 Mar 2004, pp22-23

Booth, H. (2004) ‘Products of Placement’ Design Week, 18 Mar 2004, pp22-23

The author describes a portfolio as being a vital element in the arsenal of a graduate in their search for employment. The article describes exemplary processes from the student perspective to getting a job. Invariably this involves the development of a flexible and portable portfolio; “I wanted them to see I understood what makes a good idea.” The article also highlights the need for expression of individuality and personality in graduate portfolios, re-affirming the basis of design industries being selected themselves on their stylistic approaches.

Another student experiences also identifies peer assessment of a representational portfolio as having facilitated employment opportunities. However, the focus of the article does show that ‘reciprocal’ placement is perceived as playing a far more important role in seeking and gaining employment.

Carson, P. (2004) ‘Placement Survey 2′ Creative Review, April 2004, pp43-45

Carson, P. (2004) ‘Placement Survey 2′ Creative Review, April 2004, pp43-45

The collated perspectives of employers about the value of placements as part of a recruitment process in creative agencies. The narrator explains the balance between advantages to employers and potential employees. “Placements offer fledgling teams the opportunity to meet great creative thinkers, work on live briefs… Agencies in return enjoy a cheap supply of untapped talent and fresh thinking…”

The article describes the diversity of processes undertaken in different organisations in this element of recruitment predominantly populated with graduates. It demonstrates that one size does not fit all, suggesting that this is not unexpected given the creative individuality that drives these types of organisations.

The article is summarised from the employer viewpoint as placement being of intrinsic value to graduates, suggesting that it provides opportunities for vocational experience that cannot even be replicated in jobs of a similar nature. “It’s worth all the agony… When all your mates come out of Uni and walk into their nine-to-five job, they may be enjoying a wage that makes you insanely jealous, but give it a year and watch the tables turn. They’ll be the ones complainging of dul monotony… you’ll be starting your dream job.”