This month also offers another noteworthy event. This month marks the 2nd anniversary of America’s most-recent financial and economic fiasco. With that said, it is suitable for an artist to look at this period in ones life with a “glass is half-full” sort of attitude.

Since 2008, I have taken this opportunely to form a freelance design studio and to obtain & retain clients, but the ever-elusive, full-time promise of a design job has been scarce, leaving my imagination to run wild. In response, I have gone back to basics by emphasizing six helpful job hunting tips that have helped me refocus my job search, refine my skills, and define my resume.

1) Have A Solid Resume: Design your resume to set yourself apart from your competition. If you do not think you can design your own resume, hire a professional graphic designer.

2) Focus Your Search: Focus your web search using trusted job search sites, but do not over-do it. Keep yourself focused on the sites you get the most corresponds from and respond to emails promptly.

3) Specialize Your Cover Letters: It is okay to have a generic cover letter in my opinion but do try and specialize your design traits and talents to the job skills that the employer is requesting. It is always best to have one point of contact when possible so you can specialize your cover letter directly to that person.

4) Networking, Clubs & Activities: Get involved! Sitting around waiting for action is not taking action. Attend networking events and clubs and activities related to your design field. Try and make these events work for you by being straight forward in what your talents are and what your looking for in the industry. Oh… and do not get smashed in the process! Stay Professional.

5) Stay Productive: Design! Stay active and relevant in your chosen design field. Create the art you wanted to create but were told no by your college professors because it didn’t fit the course curriculum. Design away! You do not want to be asked “What have you done since design school?” and have nothing to show for the time that has passed.

6) Portfolio, Portfolio, Portfolio: This is what will set you apart from others. There are a lot of artists in this world so you had better make sure you and your work stand out! Whatever your chosen design profession is, think outside the guide lines to set yourself apart. Remember that your design portfolio is just as important as your demeanor and spoken words when relaying your design concepts.

I hope these tips can help you gain success in your chosen design field. Remember to stay positive. Uncertainty is comfortable but freedom is electrifying. Think outside the box. Create a business! Life is not about about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

The article was originally entitled “Six tips for the design professional searching for employment in today’s job market.”

The work pays homage to James M. Flagg’s original 1917 army recruitment poster. A simple declaration “We’re Broke!” is direct in it’s unyielding honesty toward the American public. It is a straightforward artistic reflection on the state of our economy.

Description: Agitprop Art Piece;
Uncle Sam, We’re Broke!
Digital Print
30 inches x 40 inches
August 2010

I really enjoy this type of stylized design, a simplified form also known as stencil or graffiti art. I found this piece by an unknown artist in a downtown alley.

Set against a concrete wall this piece gives rise to the imagination denoting hints of revolution, freedom and enlightenment. Here the artist has produced and excellent image of Thomas Jefferson, America’s third President.

On a recent trip to the mountains I discovered this classical American scene. The vehicle’s design defines the American period of the 1950′s, clearly defined lines and chrome trim accents. The building appears to have been a gas station by the looks of the architecture, the pumps having been remove years earlier.