The American Heritage Dictionary (2006) defines “collaboration” as “to work together, especially in a joint intellectual effort.” Also known as brainstorming, collaboration stems from the ancient Greek practice of group dialogue, an art which follows certain rules. Socrates established three principles of discussion (or “Koinonia” meaning “spirit of fellowship”) in group dialogue: (1) Establish dialogue (don’t argue or interrupt and listen carefully), (2) Clarify thinking (suspend all untested assumptions), and (3) be honest (even if your ideas are controversial – or downright wacky).

Michael Michalco, author of “How to Encourage Collaboration on Your Team” (HOWDesign.com, January, 2008), makes an unbeatable case for collaboration, pointing out that it has produced great achievements in physics, film-making and art. On the other hand, lack of collaboration has produced stifled ideas, fear, mistrust, failure and “nothing of significance.” The whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. Why would we not collaborate?

Maybe, in our ignorance, we just don’t understand the benefits. Instead we work our individual talents to the limit, perhaps going far and thinking that to be enough. It may be enough, but it’s not our very best. Our very best seems to come only from a collaborative effort.

Is ego to blame? We want our freedom and we want to be as good as everyone else. We seek glory, wanting to shine as individuals and be admired for our talents. We want our contributions to be recognized and remembered as ours and ours alone. But do we lose these things by encouraging collaboration?

We do not lose freedom or equality in collaboration. Collaboration is hampered by inequality, causing those who feel inferior to hold back while encouraging those who feel superior to dominate. Because collaboration promotes thinking “outside the box” and requires complete honesty, it can generate controversial, even threatening ideas. To keep the dialogue flowing, judgment (and the fear of it) must be suspended.

Encouraging collaboration can multiply individual glory, admiration and achievement exponentially; Michelangelo, Walt Disney and Einstein were all collaborators. We do not lose individuality or recognition for our talents by collaborating; instead we share. Collaboration requires participants to be true to themselves, express their own ideas and share their unique perspectives.

Consider competition, which is thought to stimulate excellence. Imagine a pie-baking contest, the goal of which is to produce the best possible pies Three master pie-bakers compete. Baker one produces an excellent meringue fruit pie with the very best crust. Baker two produces a fine lemon pie with the very best meringue. Baker three creates a meringue creme pie with the very best filling. The judges love meringue so baker two wins. But is his pie really the best? What if the bakers collaborate? The result would be three different pies, EACH having the finest crust, best meringue and tastiest filling – the best possible pies. Competition might produce three good pies but encouraging collaboration would produce three of the very finest.

Encouraging collaboration can only produce better results. Many creative people claim their ideas do not originate within themselves but come from “the cosmos” and seek expression through them. Perhaps this is an example of collaboration with God. viagra and alcol

Graphic designers are in huge demand, especially with today’s computer generated world. Because technology constantly changes, creating new expectations and requiring new skill sets, and because the financial market is volatile, it is always a good idea for graphic designers to keep a portfolio and resume on hand.

With the advent of the internet, job hunting and the ability to conduct business very quickly has become the norm. There are tons of job sites on the internet and there are plenty of people out there who are constantly looking for graphic designers.  From one site you can search all over the world and find companies who are looking for designers, whether freelance or salaried. Having your credentials ready to submit makes a job search that much easier.

Even if you have a graphic design job you love, you always want to make sure that your graphic design portfolio is sharp, professional looking and ready to present. Not only could you lose your job without notice, or get another offer you can’t refuse, but the sales team at your current job may need to present your portfolio to prospective clients to help close a deal.

If you have a problem writing a resume, you can go online and find plenty of information on how to create one.  It should always include your educational background, your work experience, and professional references.  Listing experience with software and operating systems, training and certifications, and any awards you have received is important as well.  The resume should employ proper grammar and clear language, making it easy to read.

Perhaps of equal value to the resume is your portfolio.  While your experience is listed on the resume, and is certainly important in delineating your qualifications, there is no better way to prove your capabilities than with samples of your work.  This is as true for the seasoned designer as it is for fresh graduates.  Showcasing your skills through samples from previous work or mock ups is your best entrance to a new job.

The portfolio should be an attachment to your resume. The company can check your job history and speak with references, but seeing your work at the outset will give you a jump on the competition.  Plus, if the hiring manager likes your work well enough, he might just hire you on the spot.

Graphic designers are needed in all facets of today’s world. Anywhere that you see some kind of graphic image whether it be on television, newspapers, online, clothes, or roadside billboards, a graphic designer was the one who produced the final image that you are seeing.  However, this abundant use of graphics does not necessarily mean there is an abundance of job openings.  A depressed market means many smaller businesses are cutting costs and trying to satisfy some of their design needs internally with other possibly less-qualified employees.

Job scarcity means tougher competition for you.  It is always helpful to keep your resume and portfolio available so you can be the first one to respond to job openings and show that you are prepared and look to be determined to do quality work.

????? ????????? ????????

Graphic Designers have many different job opportunities in this career field.  Whether through print, video, or internet, there are a multitude of choices in any visual media.  As you embark on your education or your career, carefully assess your strengths and preferences against these many career options so you can make the best decision for your graphic design career.

Anyone who is interested in having a career in graphic design will need to have a bachelor’s degree. This is required for everything from entry level jobs on up. The other requirement is creativity and a good imagination. It is also important for graphic artists to have a good mastery of the tools of their trade which include computer techniques, drawing skills and software programs. Of course, computers are the most important tool because they are used for generating and animating images as well as for creating multimedia presentations. In order to master the computer programs that are used for these things, you will have to do a lot of studying. You will also need to keep up-to-date with all of the changes that are constantly taking place in regards to this technology.

Graphic designers will be able to work in several different types of businesses because graphics and multimedia presentations are increasingly important to the worldwide marketplace. You will find this in everything from social media networks to the various platforms that are being used for mobile devices.

At the heart of every advertising agency’s products there is graphic design. For this reason, advertising agencies are the one business wherein most graphics professionals work. While there are occasions when a graphic artist will come up with an ad’s design, most of the time they are responsible for the animation, color, shading, sound and other effects that go into making the advertisement stand out in the crowd. After all, there are a lot of things that an account manager might want for their ad campaign, including a storyboard presentation of the ad for conceptualization purposes.

Another area of graphic design is web development and design. In this medium it is extremely important to understand how to use computer software for multimedia purposes because websites are at the heart of virtually every business, from small retailers to major corporations.  Many of these websites rely on elaborate video presentations, illustrations and well-lit photographs.

There are also graphic designers who work with computer programmers and multimedia professionals to create and animate video games. Games require character movement, shading and simulated lighting to be present in every scene, all of which designers handle.

• ???????? ????

While there are a lot of businesses that will employ you as a graphic designer, you can also do what 25% of those who are working as graphic artists today do: work for yourself. Whenever you are self-employed you may find yourself working for architectural firms, attorneys who need graphic presentations, fashion designers, publishing houses, real estate firms and sign companies.

These are just some of the many businesses that hire graphic designers today.  Typically a designer will choose to specialize in one of these business sectors and continually develop his or her skills as technology changes in that field.

????? 13 ???

• ????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ????

A graphic design portfolio is critical component of presenting your skills to prospective employers and clients.  Your collection of samples is your single most important selling point as a graphic designer.  You can have all the experience in the world, but if your portfolio does not showcase it properly, you may find yourself missing out on great career opportunities. Here are some tips for making your portfolio both memorable and professional.

First, you will want to show a large amount of variety. You will not find two clients or employers that want exactly the same thing. Put a lot of versatility into your portfolio so you can display you have talents in many areas and not just one in particular. If you are not yet comfortable in more than a couple of areas, take time to develop more versatility. Your future clients and employers will have more confidence in your abilities.

Next, be sure to show your work in its best light. While you do want to add a few extras to make your portfolio stand out, you do not want to detract from your work. Use a layout that complements your work and displays it simply.
Only show your strongest work. Sometimes nostalgia clouds good judgment when it comes to your projects. You may have a couple of favorites that appeal to you personally, and yet they were not your best work. In this case it is best to just leave those out. Instead, include work that got you the most recognition. Clients and employers are going to be looking for the best quality in graphic design. Be sure to examine your work objectively, and think with your intuition rather than emotions.

It may help to ask a few different people for their opinions on your portfolio, just remember to be open to constructive criticism. If you have colleagues or peers who are graphic designers, or who work closely with designers, this can be the perfect opportunity for you to get an honest, knowledgeable opinion of your work. Ask others if they have any suggestions about your portfolio or about the layout. Showing your portfolio to friends and family may not be the best route.  You will find that their feelings towards you influence how they respond to your work. ?????????? ????? ?????? ?????????

Finally, create an online graphic design portfolio. While it will not replace your portfolio, showing your work online is a great way to attract future work. Showcasing your work online is also a great way to reach more prospects and exhibit your abilities. Include a few different ways for prospective clients and employers to contact you, even if it is just by email. You will also want your web site to look professional and be easy to use.  Following these tips will ensure your graphic design portfolio sells you well.

Author: Wildfire Marketing Group Content Development Team

It’s common for business owners to make unrealistic requests of design firms. Probably the most common is when they contact several design firms and ask them all to design something for them, whether it’s a logo, brochure or some other piece, with the intent that they will choose one of the designs if they like it. While it may seem like there is nothing wrong with this request, in reality, there is. Think about how this request would be taken in any other industry.

Potential home buyer: I want you to build me a house and I’m going to have three other builders do the same thing. After these homes are completed, if I like one I’ll purchase it.
Home builder: Uhhh…No.

Potential car buyer: I’m thinking about buying a car from either you or another car dealer with in a seventy mile radius. I’d like you to drop off one of each model of car that you have (the other car dealers will be doing the same) and after I’ve had a chance to drive all of them for a while I’ll decide if I want to buy one.
Car dealer: Uhhh…No.

Restaurant visitor: I don’t know what I want to eat, but I’ll know what I like when I taste it. I want you to make everything from your menu deliver it to my house. Keep in mind that the Chinese, Italian and Mexican restaurants will be delivering their food as well. After tasting everything, if I’m still hungry, I will choose a meal from one restaurant.
Restaurant owner: Uhhh…No.

The bottom line is that graphic design is a business. You wouldn’t run your business by handing out your product or service for free in hopes that someone might feel like paying for it and you shouldn’t expect a design firm or designer to do so. Some firms will do spec work, but they usually fall into one of two categories. They are either brand new firms with no experience trying to land their first clients, or they are huge firms that only work with clients that have multi-million dollar advertising budgets.

Like any other business, a graphic design firm has overhead. By working on spec, they are forced to raise their prices because unlike some businesses that sell a product, graphic designers can not take back their time and resell it. Many people take for granted the overhead that can be necessary to run a graphic design firm. Specialized software is required to do what we do, and depending on what is needed, can be an investment of several thousand dollars per employee ? which must be updated on a regular basis. Additionally, a graphic design firm needs far more robust hardware than the average user. Our processing power, memory and storage capacity needs can me mind blowing and frequent upgrades are often necessary. Most firms employ highly skilled designers, whom must be paid accordingly. These designers have the talent and experience to develop marketing materials that deliver results quickly and efficiently. All of this allows us to provide our clients the best service at a reasonable price and in a timely manner.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_27358_3.html

About the Author:

http://www.wildfiremarketinggroup.com

Are you looking for a new Graphic Design job? Well, recent surveys have shown that more than half of employers need people to fill positions in their creative department, and this is good news, because it means there are graphic designer jobs out there. But it also means you will need to fiercely compete for these jobs. Does that mean you need to do everything you can to draw a potential employers attention? The answer to that question is both, yes, and no.

We have all seen the news, where a person did some wild crazy thing to attract an employer’s attention, and although he did get attention, it may not have been the right type of attention. You know what Im talking about, where a potential employee posted his information on a billboard, or sent hockey tickets in with his resume. These type of attention getting gimmicks may do you more harm than good. The following graphic designer job hunting tips will help you land that great job you want.

1. The Importance of your Portfolio

Most employers truly want to see really good work. They want to see work that a potential candidate has done, and work which shows he, or she, is capable of getting the job done. So one of the things you really need to work on is your portfolio. You want to demonstrate your versatility, and your creativity through your portfolio. This is probably the most important graphic designer hunting tip we can give you, and one you really need to spend a great deal of time working on.

2. Get Your Resume Ready

Your portfolio is the most important part of your presentation, but you also need to remember to get your resume in shape. When you are writing this resume, think about how you have made a difference with other employers. List examples; did you help on a company’s website and what improvements did it do for the company?

3. Get Information on Potential Employers
You want to research companies you are thinking of working for before you go on your interview. The more you know about the company the better you will be able to present yourself.

4. Point Out Your Strengths
When you are interviewing make sure you offer specific examples that show off your strengths.

5. Join Multimedia and Professional Conferences
You can use these meetings to find out about new trends and ideas but you also want to use these opportunities to network and find new employment opportunities.

6. Continue Your Education
As a designer one of the most important Graphic Designer Job Hunting Tips we can give you is to continue learning. Get new skills by reading magazines or enrolling in continuing education classes. You want to network here with other students and with faculty members too.

The above graphic designer job hunting tips will help you get a job now, and in the future. This is a field that requires that your skills always be updated and that your portfolio and resume always be in tip top condition.

One might think, during a job interview, which ever candidate displays knowledge of the company…. would be the one that stands out. Maybe a few years ago, but now you’re more likely to differentiate yourself in an interview, by not prior researching a company. Don’t get too excited. This is not the kind of differentiation that hooks the job. Researchers say that about 68% of job candidates are more informed, than they were five years ago. However, there are still ways that you can set yourself apart from other candidates- in a good way. Here is how:

In Depth Research
It is not enough to just do a quick visit of the companies website, and get key points. You need to devote some time, so that you can dig beneath the catch phrases. Look at the different types of services offered and expansion plans. Find out what the primary objectives are, read media announcements, search products, and discover who the firms executives are. This will allow you to get a grasp on what the companies overall focus is, and then enable you to sustain a relevant dialogue during the interview.

Annual Reports
Public companies will have an annual report. This will reveal the companies financial stability, and any fiscal situations of concern. Any expansion or downsizing information will be included, too. This is useful information in that, if a company is loosing money, you may want to inquire if the companies budget is being affected, and what implications that may hold for the company and team members.

Unfavorable Improvement
Check the Better Business Bureau for any complaints lodged against the company- especially in the area you are applying. Briefly outlining how you can improve company “unfavorable(s) ” will add bonus points to the interview.

Use Outside Sources Of Information
Search media archives- newspapers, magazines, radio, television, business journals, etc.. Analyst reports can give you a review of future or current expansion plans. This can be a great interview talking point, especially if web site touts contradict industry news. If you have experience in the area, you can score major points with questions and insight.

Social Network Contacts
Utilize the My Space, Face Book, Stumble, etc. contacts you made online. Ask them if they have any credible information on the company, know any one that is employed by the company, or just get further suggestions for research outlets. Also, contact previous co-workers and professional contacts. If you find someone with a connection to the company, or that has insider information, don’t be afraid to utilize it. Ask the hard questions and get perspective on how the company works internally. An insider will be the only way you can discover if the companies exterior claims meets their internal actuality.

Utilize The Research
If you go in and start spewing facts and figures, like a rehearsed puppet….it will show. Some companies may appreciate a complacent research endeavor, but it will not showcase your ability. Instead, compile the information around personal descriptions, that will demonstrate what assets you add to the company.

Without doing the necessary research, you can appear to lack oratory skills, knowledge, or just be inept. You will never loose an interview from too much research, but you can miss an opportunity…. from lack of it. Lack of research can also cause you to become a member of a company, that you may not really want to be affiliated with. So, win all around with research!

Artistic creativity is born from a passion to express one’s own personal style and perspective of the world. Just as a mathematician might see the world in numbers, an artist sees the world through color, music, dance or design. Everything around us from buildings to clothing to video games has been produced by the creative thoughts and imaginations of the artists around us. Art is more than simply the traditional arts of paintings and sculptures. Video production, food preparation, web design and architecture are just a few examples among many of non-traditional forms of art. Art colleges understand the need for students to excel in their particular field of art, whether traditional or non-traditional, and that is why art colleges offer a number of art related degrees.

For those with artistic vision and the drive to turn that vision into a career, the first step is to find an art college that will meet their creative and artistic needs. Because it is essential for an artist to develop and hone their specialty, the training received from an art education is very important. Art and design encompass a multitude of various skills and talents. These skills and talents can lead to careers in a number of diverse and unique fields. An art college may offer degrees in fields such as: fashion merchandising, interior decorating, graphic arts, visual communications, cooking, film, music, theater or dance. Additional fields include photography, art restoration and computer animation. Depending upon the student’s particular area of expertise, the school and program of study chosen may not be offered at all art colleges. However, since art education is in high demand, students should be able to find either a traditional or online art college that will meet their needs.

There are various art colleges throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Even if there is not an art college in close proximity to the student, an online program may be available. The best online art education program is offered by the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The Art Institutes also has “on ground” campuses in Dallas and Tampa Bay, as well as most major markets in the United States. With both national and international art education programs are available for students to further their individual artistic talents, finding a school in which to begin the training and education needed to further a career in the arts should not be a difficult task.

To determine what school will best meet your artistic and creative needs, a search of each school’s website will offer information as to programs offered, length of time needed to obtain the desired degree, potential career fields based on the degree chosen and, of course, the tuition and housing costs associated with your program of interest.