Psychology. They want to seem as if they're putting you in your place. It sets an uncomfortable precedent for the future: they're right and you're wrong. They sound somewhat arrogant actually. No big news here. Most graphic designers -- and moreso with those in 'high' positions -- as well being conservative, insular and unimaginative, are drunk with self-importance.

did they say anything positive? how do you feel it went?

honestly, sometimes people say you havn't been creative enough with your folio presentation, and other times the contrary. it's a minefield. to quote larry david: you just can't leave your house.

I think a few difficult folio showings is good for the soul in the end.

They sound a right bunch of bastards. The question is; do you really want to work with them, or tell 'em to stick it where the sun don't shine?

Nick Cooke

I should have mentioned they said a lot of positive things as well. I think a lot of my work is good, but I'm humble and still in the process of learning. That is basically why I'm interested in working with these guys.

They treated me well. Don't worry!

My presentation skills suck though. It's something I need to practice more often.

If they still want to you to work for them, I'd consider it hazing. ;0)

I love working in environments with strong critiques. Some people don't.

And, yea, make sure your type is readable and don't overdue the 'package'...let the contents of your portfolio do the talking.

"My presentation skills suck though. It’s something I need to practice more often."

Yea, even in the best design schools seem to fail on the whole 'car sales 101' type class. Graphic Design, as a business, is just as much about selling as it is designing.

If it's any consolation, my presentation skills still suck after 7 years in the workplace.

I'd be happier doing it over skype!

I'm in no position to judge, but it sounds like you at least part agree with them? Old and young, we're always in education, and if this feels right, why not? Could be a good idea to arrange a few more meetings if possible, and see how other companies feel.

re: some of the posts on another "junior designer" thread : http://typophile.com/node/42466

when i reviewed student portfolios every week (for three years) at mtv, i noticed strong trends in portfolio strength and weakness from certain schools. in the new york art school area, the portfolios from SVA were consistently better and cleaner and stronger than student presentations from any other area school.

several of the SVA students mentioned that they were required to take courses in portfolio presentation. i wish more schools would emphasize this often overlooked and misunderstood skill.

in the professional arena one must present and sell as much as one must design.

Interviews like that can be disheartening, but at least they were honest with you and you’ve learned from it. Just keep interviewing and you’ll get better. I have literally done dozens of job interviews (I got laid off a few times working in IT), and I probably didn’t get good at it until I had done at least fifty.

Well, if YOU'RE going to edit the header, I might as well edit this post.

Tared...

I believe english is not Mr Helland's first language.

You're vs. Your

You are showing us all that your grammar skills do indeed suck.

terminaldesign : that's rather nasty and you can't spell either.
your communication skills, in this case, are atrocious.
thanks dux.

smiling emoticon.

It's allright :)

I think maybe they just wanted to hear you defend yourself? The process is not just limited to your interviews, they'll want you to hold your own during crits on your projects as well. If they want you to work for them, I'd say the good must've outweighed the bad, so don't be to hard on yourself.

But it's true that proper spelling is important. If English isn't Frode's first language, I recommend having the work proofread. I remember reviewing a young Brazilian designer's portfolio which was impeccable but riddled with errors. It really put me off hiring her, I work in publishing and I need to know a designer can be thorough - and resourceful.

I apologize for my cranky response and my poor grammar.

Yes it is torn

James

I recommend having the work proofread

But probably not his typophile posts. ; )

I apologize for my cranky response and my poor grammar.

I wonder how brilliant we would all look if we had our posts tracked and proofread. Bet I would have a string of misses, even though I know better in many cases. It is a grace to be able to communicate with each other without too much worry about grammatical e-thugs.

I do often reread my posts for spelling and grammar but until Punchcut fixes the problem of edited posts slipping to the bottom, I generally don't change them unless nobody has posted after me.

i use an idiosyncratic spelling and punctuation system in chat posts because :

1) i can
2) i like to try out original systems that seem logical to me
3) it's easier than following all the bizarre rules
4) i believe language is alive
5) chat is more casual than wiki posts or business forms
5) i'd never survive traditional proofreading

when i'm posting a more serious argument i often revise several times.

smiling emoticon.

No problem James. It's "torn", isn't it?

I am a big stickler for spelling and try to proof my own posts. But I applaud Frode and all who post here in something other than their native language. There are people from around the world who post here using better, clearer language than that of many Americans. And when someone is struggling to use the only language they know, I really worry.

The parent page from Luke's link is a marvel. I wish that were required reading.

U mist a folstop.

;-)

But it’s true that proper spelling is important. If English isn’t Frode’s first language, I recommend having the work proofread. I remember reviewing a young Brazilian designer’s portfolio which was impeccable but riddled with errors. It really put me off hiring her, I work in publishing and I need to know a designer can be thorough - and resourceful.

so you're saying you'd like them convince you they can write 'correct' english, only to find out, once employed, they can't? remarkable

Lower case at the beginning of a sentence is not logical.

Nick Cooke

error error dux has unexpectedly crashed.

There has been an error. Yet another error has occurred.

@nick : i disagree. in my way of thinking, all lower case is more logical than so many different reasons for upper case. and cleaner. and less formal. and easier to type. and more fun to read. i like it. clarity is not lost.

fyi, this is a chat style. it's like an aspect of my handwriting. i know how to set standard english. it may be all those myriad and arbitrary rules in the work context that prompt me to ease up and keep it casual in chat posts.

but i actually prefer the way this looks.

wow. you could have been me today. i went to a renowned design agency after they invited me for an interview and they basically said that my work was well-executed but lacked ideas. needless to mention the fact that the people interviewing me had neither read my CV nor looked at my work before.

What a drag. I almost died.

I think nick was joking ch! I hope so :-) Seriously though, for me language is there to be warped, neologised, parodied, poeticised, ignored and more. It's a toolbox, not a doctrine. We need convention to communicate, but there is a lot of room for manoeuvre. The crux lies in whether meaning is communicated and even then it's a minefield of variables.

sorry to hear that asen. I've had several similar experiences with small but excellent studios in london and I came out a burst balloon carrying a black folio case. Makes you stronger and gives you something to reflect on in the end.

I like this

reminds me of something I made years ago following an aborted attempt at getting a job.

I took my in-house job after a great deal of non-responses from firms, so I find it all quite daunting. Maybe this will be me in six months to a year...

dux, love the typog. is that your own face? it kinda reminds me of Citizen (Emigre) and the inside of a daft punk cd case.

I like your work asen. Good luck!

thanks chipman. it's my own type. the whole thing is connected and rather than a linear gradient, the colour transforms along the direction of the line. I drew it all out on graph paper, noted the co-ordinates and added all that data to a script to draw the bugger. I think it was done in 2003 maybe 04.

Which design agency did you go to? Do they have a website we can look at?

I've been on the hunt myself over the last little while. I seem to be finding that most people really like my work and give me very positive comments but don't call me back. Kinda like going out on a first date and not getting a look in at a second. I found myself a nice place to work, but the contract is only for one month.

As for proof reading: I found no one at all ever read my portfolio, infact I felt like a dick even having text in it. I talk my way through my whole portfolio explaining each and every piece of work.

It would be interesting to do regional portfolio review surveys in the style of salary surveys. That way people new to an area can find out what flies well with the local firms and not walk into a Sacramento office with a portfolio of slick Photoshop work or an LA office with a portfolio full of serious magazine designs.

Miguelzinho: They don't have a website.

thank you for the words of encouragement! whenever in trouble I always remember this (scroll down to the "Unfortunately i'm afraid" bit :)

Amazing how many design studios actually use Helvetica, Times, or even — *shudder* — Courier in their letters.

I’m sorry, did I say “amazing”? I meant appalling, naturally.