Customer Reviews

Careers by Design: A Business Guide for Graphic Designers

5 star:		(3)
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2 star:		(1)
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This book is 199 pages of fluffy copywriting. There's no substance!

I'll find myself reading a section that feels like a long winded introduction, then...POOF...onto the next topic. Over and over again.

The target audience of this book (Designers) is too broad. Because of that, everything is vague generalizations. Maybe Goldfarb could write about some specifics if the demographic was narrowed down to only one of the following: Graphic Designers, Multimedia Designers, Freelance Designers, etc.

If you need this book to tell you that a resume and portfolio are important to finding a new job, then by all means, pick up a copy. But if you've taken ANY classes in design or have ANY work experience, don't waste your time...

I learned a lot in design school, but there wasn't much taught about how to actually go out and find a job. Two months after graduation, I was getting desperate when I saw this book in a store and picked it up. It distinguished the areas of expertise in the field and explained how to pursue opportunities in each of them. Chapter 12 is my favorite, because it told me exactly how I needed to be presenting myself to prospective employers. I am now weighing TWO (!) attractive job offers and, wouldn't you know it, I am using Chapter 14 of this book to guide me in negotiating my salary before choosing. Roz Goldfarb, you are a goddess!

Anyone who works (or hopes to work) in the design field wishes he or she had access to a corporate recruiter for advice and updates on the industry. Careers by Design gives you exactly that for less than twenty bucks. I worried about my portfolio, my resume, my contacts, wondering what had changed in the field since I was last "out there" and this book was my life saver. To say I highly recommend it is an understatement, because it is a no-brainer. Go out and get a copy of this book today, then know exactly how to get the job you have been hoping to find! It worked for me.

After I read Careers by Design, I immediately ordered copies for everyone on staff at Portfolio Center and urged them to read it from cover to cover. That‚s how important I believe this book is. I can think of no more useful tool for illustrating the state of the industry today, how it is evolving, and what we must do as educators to ensure our students will be the utmost prepared to enter it. As for students, this book is required reading. Goldfarb offers smart insight into
everything from discovering your creative niche--and finding the ideal job--to giving your notice, and her wisdom concerning manners, ethics, and reputation is invaluable.
Hank Richardson, President, Portfolio Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Hank Richardson is President of Portfolio Center in Atlanta, one of the most renown schools for the communicating arts in America. A chronic insomniac, he spends the wee hours conjugating the verb "charette," and preparing for his 5 a.m. classes, events famous for their heated debates and hot Krispy Kremes. In addition to being one of the country‚s most respected design educators, he is an AIGA Fellow and a founding member of AIGA/Atlanta. His students have won more than 4000 design and advertising awards.