A partial video of the "Marketing yourself" event with Toolbox Creative

September 9, 2011

Click image or copy & paste link to view:  http://frc2.org/videos/toolbox-video_2011_09_16_01.20.37.avi

(Thank you Rory, for your help uploading this!)

Toolbox Creative
A few additional notes from the evening...



Regarding: PORTFOLIOS

• When showing your portfolio, don't tell people how you did something, instead, tell them WHY. If they want to know how, they will ask.
• Create projects outside of the class assignments, do work that you are passionate about... it will show.
• When Toolbox Creative goes through a hiring process, they hardly ever look at whether or not someone has a degree. "It's all about the portfolio" and the personal qualities that show through in your work and your presentation of it.

Regarding: MARKETING YOURSELF

• Be as persistent as you can, without being annoying.
• Do your research, be inquisitive. Check out your potential employer or client's website and work. Get to know them.
• Create a great cover letter. Something that may spark their interest. Show that you know something about THEM.
• Avoid doing spec work. Instead, do work for a non-profit agency. *see below...
• Never burn any bridges.
• Approach a potential client or employer with a solution. Determine what it is they need from you, and "solve their problem."
• Show people how you think. Show them your personality.
• "The problem is rarely ever the problem, it's how the problem is handled."
• Look at unemployment as an opportunity!

RESOURCES

Visit the Toolbox Creative website here:  http://www.toolboxcreative.com/

* A good definition of spec work (and a handy PDF file to use in case you need to inform a client as to the definition of spec work): http://www.aiga.org/position-spec-work/

A website listing several non-profit organizations in our area (be sure to click through as there are several pages): http://fortcollins.citystar.com/mall/non-profit_organization01.html

Behance - a free online portfolio website for creatives (note; if you are an AIGA member, your Behance portfolio can be utilized as your portfolio on the AIGA site too): http://www.behance.net/


YOUR TURN

Did you attend the Toolbox Creative evening? If so, tell us what piece of advice has stuck with you the most?...

"How to Market Yourself," with Toolbox Creative!

Picture yourself in a new building space; filled with art and sculpture, inspirational design/art books everywhere, vibrant green and yellow walls, lounge and kitchen areas lit up by contemporary light fixtures, and the latest 27 inch IMACs at desks all facing each other in a circle and you have the interior of Toolbox Creative. Right when you walk in you get a welcoming sense of warmth and creativity and you can tell that it's a great environment to work in. The evening’s discussion was, “How to Market Yourself,” and we got right to it.

We talked about some of the legal aspects in the graphic design business and what to look out for and what to be mindful of. Like how important it is to define your business relationships in the beginning and also understanding the paperwork and making sure your client is on the same page. We discussed some of the dos and don’ts when it comes to interviews, portfolios, and choosing/working with clients. There are a lot of little details when it comes to marketing and selling your work and we got to listen to a handful of their stories and experiences, both good and bad. Non-profit organizations also came up because they can typically be a good place to start if you are looking for work and looking to build up your portfolio. You may work for free for a while but the experiences, the networking, and the practice is what’s important. Really, you can’t get out there unless you actually get out there. It’s a tough industry right now but some of the most important things you can bring to the table as far as marketing yourself goes, is your soft skills and the networking you do (because designing is only half the battle). I think our team had great questions and I think it’s safe to say we are all more knowledgeable from our visit to Toolbox Creative.

Thanks again, Lee, Dawn, and Tom!

Submitted by: Lane Leazer

Toolbox Creative Studio Tour and Guest Speaker Presentation

Don't miss out on the Toolbox Creative Studio Tour and Guest Speaker presentation on "How to Market Yourself" with Lee Porter!

When: September 9, 2011
Time: 6-8 pm
Where: Toolbox Creative
325 Cherry St. #104
Fort Collins, CO 80521
What to bring: Paper, pencil or pen


We are strongly encouraging all of our members to attend! Let's pack the house!