I'm not sure why, but over the last few weeks I've gotten several requests from design students to do interviews. Since it seems to be a popular topic I figured I put up some questions I received yesterday along with my answers.

1. What skills/education did you acquire to obtain your current position?

I went to Kent State university in Ohio and studied Advertising and minored in graphic design. Before going solo and starting my business I spent several years working at agencies building up my portfolio. Even as important was joining local groups and associations where I could meet other creatives and marketing folks who helped me grow as a designer and help me find work and clients over time.

2. How long have you been in the graphics career?

I graduated almost 9 years ago.

3. What was your hardest part in finding a job?

Early on it was the lack of work to show. My first full time web design position came as a result of designing my church's website. My future boss was impressed that I wanted to spend my free time designing websites even though that design I was showing was absolutely terrible.

4. How did you find out about your current position?

In Cleveland where I live the agencies don't pay much (relatively speaking). Many of the good designers in this area usually leave town after a few years. The other option is to get out from company life and start your own. With a good portfolio and some know how it's pretty easy to set yourself up as a freelancer.

5. What do you think was the most important thing that helped you obtain your current job?

Meeting people. I spent years going to work in the morning and leaving 8 hours later. Once I started networking after work and got out to meet other people in my field in my spare time a lot of opportunities opened up. It took years to build a network but it's been the most valuable thing I ever did.

6. What type of portfolio do you have?