Working In Graphics

I decided freelance work wasn't for me. I went to job interviews for a little over a year after I got out of college, and finally landed a job (however tenuous) as a graphic artist for a small production company.

All I can say is. Create a portfolio of work. Real work done for free, or just make stuff up out of your head. Web templates, your own artwork, logos, whatever you want to do, just put it into your portfolio. The more, the better. Then go out to interviews and be prepared to not get work from anybody you talk to.

freelance is tough - I typically only do it as a favor to friends. - therefore, I don't make much dough off it. I'm somewhat lucky, though - and work for a company as a graphic designer. I tend to mix the two more often than I'd like.

as far as getting started - each individual story is different. You sort of have to find a niche in the graphics world that you know, then branch into more areas to see what you like. i.e. layout vs. photography vs. website graphics vs. print design vs. video vs. you get the idea...

you already are on the right track by starting here at team ps. I get lots of help and advice from the people here. you will too.

Just keep doing what you're doing and working hard at it, especially if you love it. For the last year and eight months I've had a fat ass job as a graphic artist/web developer/programmer, paid more than I've ever made in my life, I love every minute of it. But just remember to keep at it and getting better that's what people see. BUT KEEP AT IT. I know this because, as of one hour ago I was laid off from my dream job due to cut backs. I was the last designer left; I don't know what they're going to do now, oh well. The point is keep doing what you love and just work hard at it, regardless. Right now I'm sitting at the computer working on my site, I love it. And then, some more blah.