Design and the Importance of Marketing for Post Collegiate Artists

Design and the Importance of Marketing for Post Collegiate Artists

The discussions conducted at the Graphic Design seminars along with the readings about current artists working in the field have led me to comprehend the importance of marketing one’s self as a brand to acquire both freelance jobs or to set one’s self from the masses competing for the very few jobs. The class has led me to conclude that in this field of graphic design, one cannot be educated enough as self improvement is a must.

The influx of graduates and self taught artists competing for the very few design jobs has made it necessary for artist to become marketers. Like the hot “young guns” currently setting the bar up for the rest of us, the key to success is coming up with your own style, or brand. Being known for a particular style, or expertise makes one become a commodity and is set apart from the homogeneous designs consequential of the institutionalized mentoring. Because of this, one might question the importance of art education in a collegiate institution. In my opinion, education is as much part of the maturity process because the more a student knows the more confident one becomes. Confidence makes all the difference in coming up with a style that one can brand oneself with. However, the confined simulation of pretend real world experience provided by an institution can also lead to hypocrisy and delusion. As the readings have confirmed, in real life, one cannot expect to land the dream job right after college. That piece of paper that we wait for so eagerly right after graduation is nothing but a token of years spent to mature. In our industry, it is not a qualification to get a job, but more of a medal of achievement to boost one’s confidence. The battle goes uphill after college as one is thrown into the real world to fend for oneself against the young gun prodigies and the once colleagues now competitor artists. An exemplary portfolio is the weapon of choice, not the degree. This means that after college, one must continue to educate ones self with the latest technologies, processes, and trends to continually revamp ones folio.

I have been blessed to have the time to work and attend the university at the same time. My part time work at a small studio has put experience under my belt as well as hone my Photoshop skills as an assistant photographer and post production graphic artist. Most of my income however comes from my own freelance work. The self confidence that I have gained from school and work experience gave me the ability to be able to sales talk my clients into commissioning me to do their commercial art works. They never ask for my degree or work experience. However, they care about how confident I am that my designs will sell. I admit that I do not consider myself as one of the best designers from my class.