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Need your help getting started in Broadcast Design
Hi all,
I’m just looking for some advice about how I can get into the world of broadcast design. Basically I’ve been working as web designer ever since i graduated from university back in 99.
I kind of fell into the web design business but I’ve been thinking about moving on for a while. I obviously know all the usual software photoshop, illustrator, flash, premiere, after effects etc
I’ve been told by friends in the business, the best way to start is to work on some self initiated projects. Like, coming up with title sequences, promos. channel branding etc building up a portfolio of work that i can then use as a show reel and send out to agencies.
Is this roughly the way to go? any advice anyone out there could give me would be greatly appreciated.
cheers
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1 Reply
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The first method your friends have suggested is a great way to build your technical skills while also building a demo reel, but it will not help you grasp the reality of dealing with client(s), which is the most difficult part, whether you’re in-house at an agency, and your clients are producers, or you’re freelancing, where every job might be a new client.
A recent Creative Cow magazine article dealt with the issues of dealing with difficult clients (is there anything else?) and not giving your work away. I would guess that it’s on the website as well, so try and find that to start (I think it had “Grinders” in the article or title, referring to clients who grind your price down, while demanding more work).
Since it appears that you’re already out in the workplace and dealing with the realities of putting money in your pocket, I won’t suggest interning, or taking an entry level job at a production facility, both of which are great ways of honing your skills and seeing what’s entailed in the various jobs. If your day job is your meat and potatoes gig, and you’re doing your web design in your off hours, you might consider taking a cut in pay, and making a move into a production house where there’s room to move up.
I would suggest that you start on the self-initiated projects, while keeping an eye on the job listings. The realm of Broadcast Design is getting so broad now that there might be a position where your web design skills are as important as any other skills you might have. Remember…if you can design good graphics, you can just as easily design motion graphics as web ones. The technical parameters are a bit different, the resolution is higher, and there’s motion and effects entailed, but don’t sell you existing capabilities short. There are many broadcast facilities that use their Graphic Designers for on-air, promotions, commercial production, AND web design. Your web design capabilities just might get you in the door. And don’t move from point A until point B is solid. These days just having any job is sometimes a necessity. Good luck!
Joe Bourke
Art Director / WMUR-TV
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