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Posts Tagged ‘Industry Trends’
Graphic Design Work Alive in Washington, DC
7/19/2011 12:57 PM By William Pirraglia
Ask a top Washington, DC staffing agency about the demand for graphic designers and they will share some good news with you about the strong job market in the area. Emerging from the recession doldrums are the federal government, educational institutions, public relations firms, non-profits and professional associations - all creating lucrative opportunities for graphic designers.
Searching graphic design firms, the nation’s capital also returns employment needs in positions ranging from interns through graphic design managers. While the unemployment rate for the District remains higher than the national average at 9.8 percent for May 2011 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), the market for creative talent continues to improve. There is also an evident demand for freelance and fulltime graphic designers; The Washington Post recently featured nearly 200 graphic design jobs in the Washington, DC metro area alone.
Interactive media, including growing mobile applications and animation needs, is fueling this demand. However, the competition for the best jobs will be strong. The fallout from the recession has not yet dissipated. There are still more talented professionals than there are creative jobs. Those wishing to take advantage of these new freelance and full time opportunities must keep their skills current, market their ability properly and exhibit persistence and patience.
Don’t discount the print industry. Sure, the “paperwork reduction” efforts of the government are still active, but graphic artists and designers are continually needed to create materials. Even newcomers and junior creatives will find opportunities for internships and entry level jobs that give them the experience and portfolio references they need to accelerate their careers.
Use the recession recovery and economic rebound, however modest, to your advantage as a talented graphic designer. The opportunities in 2011 are there – it’s up to you to maximize your personal opportunities to improve or jumpstart your career. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs for graphic designers will grow at a 13 percent rate through around 2018. Perfecting your graphic design skills promises to enhance your career and income in Washington, DC and across the U.S.
The New Age of Animation Employment
7/15/2011 12:00 PM By Jeff OrloffAnimation employment has drastically transformed over the years. The obvious reason for this stems from advances in technology. However, it is not just the tools that are different between Steamboat Willie and the Toy Story series. The earlier days saw limited opportunities for animation employment. The only real option was to get hired by a large studio. Now freelance animator jobs can be found in just about every industry.
These days, animators can find work creating storyboards, designing backgrounds, doing character design or working out the timing of movements for films, television shows, video games and even corporate projects. To do this, the artist needs to be comfortable with new technologies like Fireworks, Illustrator, Flash, Maya and Lightwave. But understanding computer graphics programs is only part of the job. To be successful, an animator also has to be able to work well with clients, meet deadlines and be a team player, as no production comes to completion on the shoulders of just one person.
The hours that freelance animators work can be grueling at times. When production falls behind or changes are required, the artists need to compensate to bring things back on track. The average salary for animation jobs also varies as much as $40,000 to over $75,000 per year depending on experience levels, education, training, location and of course who you work for.
Job prospects for this kind of work are promising, and more and more companies are looking to hire multimedia artists. With impressive software knowledge, natural talent and the help of a reputable talent agency to help you find work, freelance animator jobs are well within your reach.
The Reality of Social Marketing Jobs
7/12/2011 3:55 PM By Jeff Orloff
The internet is filled with self proclaimed social media gurus. However, social marketing jobs require a person to do much more than build hundreds of followers on a social network. Unfortunately, there are myths that surround this field making people believe that social media marketing is easier and less expensive than traditional forms of marketing.
True social media specialists know that social marketing is not about simply growing fans and followers. Success in this new type of marketing comes from the ability to engage communities surrounding a business or product and getting the community to do much of the marketing for you through crowdsourcing. With this technique you not only get your community to spread the word, but you can harness the trust their family and friends have in their opinions and transfer some of that to your brand.
Social marketing jobs can be tough when it comes to managing communities, as well. Not everyone on the web is going to be your biggest fan, and this platform gives them the opportunity to share their thoughts about your organization, even if they’re negative. True social media experts will take this “bad press” and respond to it in such a way that it benefits their company and frames them in a positive light.
Another reality of social media as a marketing tool that many don’t understand is that it is not a way to cut back on traditional marketing expenses. That misconception comes from the belief that through crowdsourcing, the goals of a marketing campaign can be met without having to pay a team of marketing professionals, writers, designers or data analysts.
The truth is social marketing jobs can be very rewarding, exciting and fast paced. However, they do require a great deal of flexibility and dedication to be successful.
Government Stimulus Programs Improve Creative Jobs Outlook
6/29/2011 12:53 PM By William Pirraglia
Many knowing observers believe that government economic stimulus programs are revitalizing the market for creative jobs. While concern and debate continues in Washington, DC regarding the success of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and other initiatives, computer, IT and other creative jobs are increasing. While the recession recovery has been modest to date, government stimulus programs concentrating on education, healthcare and infrastructure developments are having a positive effect.
For example, the initiative to create a national database of citizens’ health information is creating new opportunities for talented information architects. The goal: To digitize health information in an up-to-date, accessible database to allow medical personnel to provide effective healthcare to people, wherever and whenever they need treatment. In those situations wherein the delay in receiving a patient’s records could prove damaging, this database will offer immediate, accurate information for medical providers.
Just consider the new opportunities for a talented interactive designer here. The projected need for other tech professions, including data management, networking, software development and other skilled performers should be strong through 2015. Yet, the overall picture for creative jobs remains cloudy for the immediate future. While there have been consistent employment gains in the past 10 to 12 months, these increases have been conservative at best.
Although government stimulus programs have not always been wildly successful, they are helping the digital and creative job market improve. Along with the targeted industries of education, healthcare and infrastructure, government initiatives appear to be helping other areas, like retail and support services, generate increased opportunities for both fulltime and contract employees.
Key Differences Between Print and Web Writing
6/14/2011 2:58 PM By Jeff Orloff
Making a living as a writer can differ depending on which medium you are working in. Writing for print is not the same as writing for web primarily due to how people read content on the two different platforms. For example:
- People read 25 percent slower on a computer monitor than they do when reading from print.
- When consuming content on computer monitors, people suffer from eye fatigue much more quickly.
- Eye tracking studies show that when people read web content their eyes go from the center of the screen to the left and then to the right. When reading print their eyes go from left to right.
- Most people, 79 percent, scan website content rather than read word for word. Their focus is on headlines, summaries and captions.
- People are more likely to ignore longer content on websites, opting to find information presented in a quick and easy manner instead.
- Graphics that appear on web-based content makes less of an impact than it does in print.
Web content writers need to know how to condense their content so that it does not discourage readers. Saying the same thing in fewer words is one of the most important skills an online writer can develop.
As a result, web writers should use bulleted and numbered lists while emphasizing keywords with bold and italics to draw attention to the most important concepts. Although the shift is not overly difficult, those hiring writers for web content want to know that their employee can capture and maintain visitors on their site.
Freelance Print Jobs Evolving in the Digital World
6/13/2011 2:42 PM By Jeff OrloffWith digital devices like smart phones and tablets making it so simple to consume books, magazines, news and other content, some job opportunities in print are becoming obsolete. However, freelancers can take the job skills they honed over the years in the traditional print industry and transfer them to digital media in ways they may not have imagined.
Copy Editors
Copy editor employment is available for people who can review the work of a writer and edit it for grammar, spelling, consistency, formatting, style and terminology. With more media going towards digital editions, copy editors are still needed to help produce clear, easy-to-read content. Web applications like blogs and content management systems also make it easy for many to develop a content-rich website, which creates a demand for freelance copy editors and proofreaders out there.
Freelance Writers
Freelance writers are fortunate because any website needs to have content and any website that wants to rank well in search engines needs to have well-written content. Talented freelance content developers are always in need by website owners and businesses; however, online writing is different than writing for traditional print media - usually more fluid and more concise – so writers must make adjustments to their style accordingly.
Freelance Art Directors
Like freelance writers, freelance art directors are also in need as more websites spring up for existing and new businesses. Art directors who don’t wish to make the jump into graphic design can still find work when it comes to digital advertising layouts and landing pages as sites want to achieve the right look to interest visitors.
While it looks like traditional publishing is going to take a severe downturn, it is clear how some of these skills can be transferred to the digital workplace. Having experience in freelance print jobs should not be viewed as a disadvantage because it still shows you have experience creating content and meeting deadlines.
Print Opportunities Not Going Anywhere Too Soon
5/20/2011 5:30 PM By William PirragliaDon’t listen to the reports questioning whether the print industry is dead or alive. While digital alternatives capture most of the global attention in the 21st century, freelance creative directors often create a superior mix of print, web, video and other projects and events.
Even e-commerce companies need print projects to enhance their brand and credibility. The strong movement to print-on-demand (POD) publishing for books, brochures, newsletters, articles and magazines does not diminish the need for freelance editors and proofreaders. In many cases, since digital publishers are offering their output to the entire galaxy via the web, the need for talented editors and proofreaders is stronger than ever.
The print and digital industries also still require talented production managers. The production function, particularly for print materials, requires talented professionals who can manage the entire process from first draft to final, approved copy. The management, project, and detail skills necessary to supervise and produce high-quality print output are treasured talents.
Proofreader employment opportunities and needs are often overlooked by candidates and employers alike. Much as some companies mistakenly discount the influence of their front line employees (i.e., bank tellers, customer service reps, receptionists, etc.), first-class proofreaders are influential components to successful print projects. As every avid reader is aware, few books and articles can be read without noticing at least one typo that a first rate proofreader could have prevented.
As the top talent recruitment firms know, freelance creative directors are always in demand. While the competition is rigorous, many of your peers now focus on the digital and interactive industries. Should you have talent in both print and digital art, your opportunities should expand.
Give Your Website an Edge to Find More New York Freelance Opportunities
5/11/2011 9:02 AM By William Pirraglia
Most people consider New York City a cutting-edge location for many reasons. Combine these reasons with the inherent need for successful freelancers to vigorously separate themselves from the “madding crowd” of competitors. As New York freelance opportunities multiply with the post-recession economy, this need for more cutting-edge marketing and networking becomes greater.
As creative jobs New York increase, the competition among creative freelancers also continues to grow. Superior New York freelance recruiters are at the front edge of this growth, offering many new opportunities. However, like employers, they also seek the most exceptional creative freelancers to match with their clients.
In this environment, a freelancer’s website is more important than ever. There is growing support for the theory that New York-based freelancers should create cutting-edge websites for themselves. This is no time for conservatism or timidity. Top creative freelancers must be viewed as leaders in their specialties.
Good reasons for this recommendation abound. Consider just a few factors.
- New York-based freelancers are at ground zero for cutting-edge mentality. Even if your clientele is primarily conservative, your site can be daringly edgy.
- Ironically, the most edgy websites typically create more trust and credibility for freelancers. Clients tend to view your website as an expression of your persona. Progressive sites do not typically “scare” potential clients, even the most conservative.
- Web and graphic designers should create gourmet websites that showcase their talent, even when compared to competitor sites. New York freelance positions are highly competitive. Create modern, strongly targeted, multi-media websites that show off your expertise.
- Even some “flash” is acceptable. No, not 1990s flash. Contemporary multi-media features, beyond teenage appetites, of course, can help establish your talent and credibility. Without straining resources, you can add some flash to enhance your cutting-edge website goal.
Spend the time to increase the edge to your website. The New York market will view your creative freelancing talents in a more exciting and favorable light. This gives you better entrees into the growing New York freelance opportunities now available.
Copy Editor Employment Picture
5/9/2011 1:47 PM By William PirragliaCopy editor employment opportunities multiply as the U.S. economy rebounds. Interestingly, some of the classic copy editor qualifications (i.e., creativity, wide range of knowledge, motivation, curiosity and persistence) are being augmented by additional obligations.
Top copy editor jobs also require knowledge of electronic publishing, multimedia and web design, graphics, and wireless communication familiarity in addition to traditional qualities. The best copy editors must also have an affinity and a talent for writing to employ superior editorial skills.
As the recession wound down in 2008, copy editor employment was around 130,000 jobs in the U.S. Freelance proofreaders and editors made up around 12 percent of those employed. Interestingly, freelance writers, authors and professional copywriters comprised around 70 percent of the approximately 152,000 people holding these jobs.
Copy editor employment is projected to grow approximately as fast as the average for most occupations, with median salaries around $54,000 per year. Copy editors seeking new challenges should keep the top creative talent employment firms, like Artisan, active on their “to do” lists. As the economy rebounds, many of the best new copy editor employment opportunities exist in the elite talent firms’ portfolios.
Salaried copy editor jobs are expected to increase for newspapers, book and magazine publishers, and growing non-profit entities in the next few years. However, opportunities for freelance editors should also exhibit measurable growth.
Production Managers and the Print Industry
5/6/2011 2:05 PM By William PirragliaRegardless of industry, production managers have the identical core job description. However, the physical responsibilities of video, digital and print industry production managers will be noticeably different.
Even before the current state of flux, the print industry has had inconsistent definitions and responsibilities for production managers. Required to coordinate their efforts with marketing managers, professional copywriters and the print room operations, production managers face personality, strategy and hardware considerations.
The diminishing number of print publications, green efforts to minimize paper use, emerging digital publishing software and prepress organization issues demand that companies have talented production managers. A fervid commitment to become—and remain—organized may be the most important single prerequisite for production managers in the print industry.
In some organizations, the production manager is not even permitted to review and approve all print jobs. While this is hard to believe, it seems that some companies miss the obvious need for a production manager relationship with marketing and sales, along with full-time or freelance proofreaders, prior to print approval. Production managers also often face timing challenges without full control of prepress operations.
However, when skilled production managers are given appropriate authority, they will produce print materials of high quality and on time, as promised. Without the ability to perform re-takes of video or the opportunity to correct errors common to digital publications, print production managers must be more precise, detail oriented and organized than their video and digital namesakes.
