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JWDesignCenter
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"Experience Life!"
# Statistics
Favourites: 146; Deviations: 147; Watchers: 133
Watching: 77; Pageviews: 33556; Comments Made: 1498; Friends: 77
# Comments
Comments: 187
Hi Jen! I recently joined your Creative Fusion Pro group as a moderator, and I also just recently joined deviantArt after a friend suggested it. I'm a graduate student at KSU studying for an MA in English (Composition) + I am working on a graduate minor in technical writing and graphic design. Right now, I do a little freelance work locally and through my (work-in-progress) studio website. [link] But, as you probably know, the freelance industry is a tough one to get into, especially if you are looking to make a career out of it!
Sorry for long question, I'll get to the point now! 
1.) If you have time, would you check out the work on my profile and offer any tips, pointers, or advice for areas to check out and improve upon? Your designs are so good and professional, I think it would be great to get your assessment and advice!
2.) I read your profile and see that you are a real pro. On my profile, I have a web version of my resume. I really really want to find a career position, as you know my fears about freelance work. The job-market is horrible though, and I have just been out of luck finding regular employment (other than as a cashier!). Right now, freelance work plus graduate teaching is sustaining me, but it's no career and I'll be finished in less than a year! To tell the truth, I'm kind of freaked out about it! I don't want to be a student forever, that's for sure, but I am really concerned that I'm gonna be a long-term supermarket cashier (not that I look down on it, it's just I really am hoping for something I'll enjoy) with a masters degree and no real design career experience. Any professional and/or career advice? Thanks so much for accepting me into your group! I really appreciate it!
DerekN
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Hi Derek,
Nice to meet you.
Yes the freelance industry can really be a challenge. I ran my own my firm that I started by "freelancing" before that term was popular.
Ok so to your questions...
1. I'll look at your site and draft up my thoughts in a bit.
2. Ok, so it sound like you're currently a student, and also working as a cashier for a supermarket. You want to land a job in the market, but it's tough competition out there. Got it.
So here's some thoughts/questions to get you thinking of ways out of the cashier work
A. Have you considered doing any internship work? I hire 3-4 interns every summer, and my team at Microsoft does the same. The pay is more than you'd make as a cashier - but less than you'd make as a full time employee. But it's a very good way to gain real world experience, and get your foot in the door. 7/10 times - our interns become full time or contract staff after they finish. Definitely something i'd look into while you're still in school.
B. On the freelance side of things. How and where are you marketing yourself? Is it just locally? The beauty of freelance work is that you don't have to restrict yourself to only working locally. Are you looking on any job boards? Are you building up a network? Freelance is typically something I won't recommend students do (yet) because it's a lot more work than is implied. Schools don't teach students how to properly market themselves, and typically students don't have enough experience under their belt to use a contract for any of the work they do - and typically get "screwed" over by the ugly clients that for some reason always seem to be rampant when you're just starting out.
3. If you really want to get into this field -you're best bet is to network. Make a LOT of friends. My mantra when i first started out - there is no such thing as competition. Make friends with EVERY designer you possibly can. It's a VERY small world when it comes to this industry. I've hired designers and worked them for a few years, to have them move on and end up working with them all over again. Everyone I've worked with knows just about everyone (at least in Seattle). So keep that in mind as you grow. Find a mentor (I'm happy to help when I can) who can also help you as you muddle through the business side of things.
Ok, i've got to go run a team meeting but when i get back - i'll take a closer look at your portfolio and draft up some thoughts for you on that as well. In the mean time -you can reach me at jwdesigncenter@gmail.com or on skype at jw.design.center if you like.
Talk soon!
Jen
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Hello there!
i just wanted to ask How is my art and how may i make it look better and i would LOVE a reply thanks!
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Best way to make art better is to continue to practice. Start with basics. Composition, balance, anatomy, color theory... learn and master those basics first. that will give a definite edge. Are you doing your art digitally or the old fashioned way?
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mmmmm...Well i use MRSPAINT is that old fashon? i also use GIMP
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Gimp is better than paint, to be sure. But in the end, it doesn't matter what tools you use, it's about getting the practice and the basics down first. Whether you're using pencil and paper, paint, a tablet, photoshop, illustrator, or a whiteboard.
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ok.thank you.i just didn't know how to make my own art.expect for drawing or go on paint.cause this is what i learned in school.so can you please blame the school and not me.cause this is what i was taught.
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I'm not blaming anyone. DA has rules in order for you to have an account. One of those rules is that you don't post art that doesn't belong to you. The reason for this is that when you post something DA assigns you as the owner of a copyright. If it's not your art - then they've illegally handed you rights to an ownership that really isn't yours. Your school didn't teach you to go and find other artwork and post it on DA.
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what is your real name...?
..._________________[link]
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to know you with your real name....
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Jen Walter
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Abdul Aleem - by mom
fahd - by father
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Well it's nice to meet you.
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deviantART muro drawing
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Wow! You are very good! Jump to see a bit from me if you like ^^
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lol, was just sending you a submissin to join your design group but I got sidetracked and starte looking at your designs. They are really well done! Just curious if you might have any tips for someone just starting off in freelance design?
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Oh - and make friends in the industry. You'll get a lot further in the freelance if you do away with the idea of "competition". In graphic design, there is no competition - you have a style that differs from anyone else. Find a mentor, someone who can help guide you as you gain more experience.
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Well I keep up with the practice and have a lot of time to practice so that's no issue. Though I haven't really thought of the "no competition" idea. I tend to always compare myself to others. Especially since I feel my style is a different than most I am always feeling I need to be more like them. Though it would make sense to just work on my own style and not worry so much about trying to be like everyone else.
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hey i made a new account no more stolen stuff all of it is made by me oh i made a fan fic of zexion from kingdom hearts check it out plz if u get a chance
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Good! Feels good to have only your stuff doesn't it?
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PLEASE tell me I'm not seeing more sonic work that's not ALL yours in your gallery again?
If it isn't ALL yours - meaning if you traced or anything like that - folks will find it, and you'll get banned. Believe me - you don't want to attract that kind of attention.
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wtf u talking about?? i use bases
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are you giving the owners of the bases credit?
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most of them are friends of mine who dont care
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ok - look - I get it. I get where you are coming from. I get that it's a pain the butt. But it's good practice to get into - one so that it covers your butt from potential copyright theft complaints - but also - why not give credit where it's due??
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because most of the bases are from people i know who dont care if i credit them or not
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Are you the artist or you are applying the law here I'm just grateful to him do not care piece is
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I'm an admin for a few groups and try and inform newer artists when they are making mistakes in the field. Being a professional artist and designer, it's hard enough out there to make a living, then you add art thieves to the mix. DA will ban folks for stealing art, so rather than allowing him to be banned, I figured he might want to take care of it.
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Thank you for reporting and the work of a conciliator us and you and all
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LOL you're welcome bro. Can't believe I didn't do it before.
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thanks, good to see DA isn't totally frowned upon by GDF peeps 
love your designs btw, esp. since you get to work with comics! that must be fun as hell!
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hehe, thanks. I think there are a few of us over here from GDF. So yea, no frowning on that one.
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I've sent you an invitation.
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hey Thanks for let me make part of the group!
Appreciate That!
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Sure!
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