wow, that totally sucks!~ design is probably one of the toughest industries to get into. Im trying to get into it myself, its so hard to get your foot in the door though!! *sigh* good look! i hope you find something, i wish i had more wisdom to offer ;

Not just the fact that it's the toughest to get into but also the fact that we're kinda in a depression right now too. :/

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I'm in the same boat. It's just not a good time to be looking to get into the industry. Seriously, out of the 40 people who graduated with me I only know of maybe 5 who have design jobs. I've taken a suprevisor position at my work so I can actually have some money, and I get to do some visual merchandising. Not ideal, but *shrugs*
The only advice I can really give is join AGDA so you can do some networking. I'm told only 10% of design jobs are advertised, everything else is through who you know.

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I challenge YOU to an Agni Kai! [link]

10%?
Thats horrible lol! I'm going to centrelink tomorrow to see if I can at least get some temp work in like data entry or something. Then I might actually call up design studios and ask if I can bring my work in.... I dunno, is that being too forward?

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I become tame by devouring my own wings...

I know! I just heard on the news that unemployment in Australia has jumped from 4.8% - 5.4%
What a horrible time to look for a job!!

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I become tame by devouring my own wings...

Yeh! And all the jobs on offer ask for an "experienced" designer with at least 3-4 years in the field. That's so annoying! I thought I'd have some sort of an advantage due to my freelancing background, but no such luck.
I'll keep trying. Good luck to you too

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I become tame by devouring my own wings...

Strangely enough I was able to find one though.

But usually when the US suffers, unfortunately the whole world...also considering of the stock market. What threw us out of the depression in the 1930s was WWII...not saying that we would need a war but the attitude then in the US was all about 'being the home front' and supporting the troops 100% all the way through. Since the attitude is nearly at a 180 now, I cannot see a present solution. The good thing it isn't like a complete depression though. It's been bad but we still have the money as long as it feeds and shelters us.

Sorry for the ranting.

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*DarkHorseTournament
`touchedvenus - EARTH TONES [link]
=Red-wolf-Ink - CHARACTER CONTEST [link]

Getting a design job is very difficult. Having a diverse portfolio helps a lot. Not just digital art, but commercial art, advertising ideas, photography. Whatever diverse artistic skills you can portray.
I myself was lucky enough to get into the industry even before I graduated, working with a startup firm, started by people from my own class in fact. And now I'm the Design Head of the firm.
Also, at first, the pay isn't that great. But it starts building up. However, what with the recession and everything, things are gonna start getting pretty tight.
Check up job portals, talk to art directors in good advertising agencies or firms. They're usually a friendly lot. They give some solid advice on how you can get into the industry and do well.
Good luck!

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Art is but a pixel of your imagination

Yeh, it sucks the USs market has such an adverse effect on the whole world.
I think it is possible to find a job, I'm just looking in the wrong places, or perhaps not even looking hard enough :S

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I become tame by devouring my own wings...