Employment

Contract Work

I am available for contract work with other design firms or companies who need help with a few projects and would like to get the work done without having to deal with having an employee on premises. If you're in the market for an experienced designer, please send an email. I'd love to hear from you.

Employment with Designs On Fire

Sometimes I receive calls or emails from people seeking employment with Designs On Fire. I am an independent freelance designer and so far it hasn't been necessary to hire anyone. I've had enough bosses and having been a manager myself, I'd much rather focus on design instead of employee management.

Thanks for your interest, but for right now and into the immediate future - I'm not hiring.

Here's some great advice for aspiring designers:

Don't expect a great paying job right away. Believe it or not, this is not a get-rich quick type of career. Entry-level design jobs simply don't pay very well, no one gets into design for the money. If you love design, stick with it and your hard work will pay off eventually.
Focus on your portfolio. Even with a degree in design, you'll need to prove yourself to prospective employers with a great portfolio. Most jobs require experience and I've never heard of anyone who hired a designer without being wowed by their work. Your portfolio should be your main focus. Do what needs to be done to pay your bills and build your portfolio in the meantime. If you're a web designer, build your own website and online portfolio!
Your resume shouldn't be blank. You need experience, so take on some pro-bono work. Call non-profits, churches and charities in your area and volunteer your design services. You'll learn what it's like working with people and build a great portfolio at the same time. Volunteering is nice to have on your resume and networking with organizations can help too.
Lose your arrogance and be prepared for rejection. It might be shocking to hear, but not everyone is going to love your designs. Business is about making money, so avoid being dismissed by offering designs in your portfolio that are relevant to the market you're going after. For example, a company hiring a designer would probably rather see business card designs or marketing materials rather than a live trace drawing of your favorite pet. Even if your design work is awesome, it might not be right for your client or prospective employer.
If someone offers advice or critiques your work, ALWAYS respond respectfully - especially if the review is negative. Constructive criticism is more helpful than a pat on the back. Take it all in stride and learn from your mistakes. My #1 rule = no whining.
If you're blessed with a quick tongue like me, you'll need learn to control it. Even when someone you're working with deserves a few choice words, be tactful and patient! Word travels fast and your reputation spreads out before you. Never give anyone the opportunity to tell others you are rude or unprofessional. Always be pleasant and polite. I can't stress this enough! You just never know where a business relationship might lead, so make sure your attitude is in check.
Thinking about freelancing? You will need to be ready to deal with all the responsibilities and headaches of owning your own business. It will be necessary for you to be brutally realistic about your design skill set - no one is perfect and you should be aware of your shortcomings before they surprise you. I hope you like hats, because freelancers wear all of them: you are the salesman, the CEO, the senior designer, the records and bookkeeper, the secretary, and lots more. I certainly would NOT recommend freelancing to everyone, we're a special breed. You must be fiercely independent with a solid foundation in design, have business management skills, a fair share of common sense and the ability to communicate clearly and build relationships with others. It's always more work than you expect and in the beginning, less pay than you deserve. If this sounds like fun to you, go for it! I started by contacting the SBDC (Small Business Development Center) in my area and writing a business plan. Those who fail to plan are planning to fail.