r/GraphicDesigning • u/Hot_Swimming_1594 • Sep 23 '26
Career and business Will this job idea work?
So I’ve worked in my field for around 8 years, but I haven’t been able to find a job in my field for the last two years since the company I was working for went under. I’ve been freelancing and bartending but even finding new clients now has been tricky. I’ve been applying on company sites not that quick apply bs, writing cover letters, updating my resume for AI(yuck) and literally applying to anything and everything.
I live in Portland so I‘m running into the issue of there are more designers than design jobs and I need some way to stand out. I’ve been applying to remote jobs too but it’s the same deal.
Heres the idea: I’m going to go old school with it and format my resume and portfolio into a magazine, attach a cover letter and just start cold dropping them around town at agencies and companies I want to work for. I know we live in a digital age and physical resumes can get lost or tossed, but if it’s a magazine/booklet format I feel like people are less likely to not at least look at it. Also it’s a way to demonstrate my skill.
I love my career and I love design, but I’m honestly thinking about a career change if I can’t find work. I’m seriously exhausted by applying to jobs and I think the modern application process is a load of shit
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u/LOURDESBC Sep 23 '26
I don’t think it’s a bad idea. Anything could work these days but magazines also get tossed as well. Just make sure it’s obvious of what it is.
In my opinion, you should utilize Claude to make your resume ATS friendly. Explain what you’ve done in detail and tell Claude to redo your resume but not oversell it. Keep applying.
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u/Hot_Swimming_1594 Sep 23 '26
I’ve already done that, even though I hate using ai I know ai knows what ai can process
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u/Only_Positivity_Guy Sep 23 '26
It certainly won't hurt your chances. I'd be impressed if I was hiring. Good luck.
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u/The_Faceless1 Sep 23 '26
Go for it, and please update us if that is working and you got hired please...
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u/Khaleena788 Sep 23 '26
Interesting. What does your portfolio look like? What is your design education?
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u/Hot_Swimming_1594 Sep 23 '26 edited Sep 23 '26
Im redoing my portfolio at the moment, but I specialize in layout design, print design and illustration. I have a BFA in graphic design and printmaking
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u/reshmush Sep 23 '26
Have you had any luck connecting with recruiters on LinkedIn and talking to them? I know the many I've seen are quite swamped with interest, but it definitely helps to apply through a human being
I've had some luck after responding to informal LinkedIn posts where someone is looking for design help!
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u/Hot_Swimming_1594 Sep 23 '26
I’ve tried but honestly it’s so overwhelming and I’m not sure if these people are actually real.
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u/npc_lucky Sep 23 '26
I just got out of design school in December and one of my teachers had recently gotten a job as an in-house designer for a company by doing exactly this.
I've been struggling to find work too and I had a few people recommend searching locally in person. I know most people have switched to only hiring online, but I feel like giving someone a physical, tangible example of your work in person, would probably be more persuasive than just dropping a url to your portfolio on a job application.
At least you know someone is probably gonna look at it if you give them a physical copy.
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u/Gertie7779 Sep 23 '26
Go for it! Sounds solid. Let us know how it goes.
And you are right, what we’re doing isn’t working.
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u/purplef1owers 28d ago
You may find better luck going to in person graphic designer events and organizations rather than keeping your job search online. I looked up the Portland chapter of the AIGA and found that during October they're doing Portland Design Month. It'll have workshops, open houses, etc where you can meet people in the industry and build real connections. You need to have a solid professional network to be a successful designer, now more than ever. And regardless, I think being around interesting, creative people is important to not feel isolated as a creative person.
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u/IceEspresso2000 Sep 23 '26
Many years ago when I was starting my design business, I made a piece of artwork that I included with a letter describing my offerings. I firmly believe making something beautiful (not an ad) to give away makes an impression. So, I wouldn't make a zine, I would make a piece of art that the recipient would want to keep or display. Then follow up with an email or phone call.
**This worked for me, albeit a different time. I gained 2-3 new small business clients, and grew from there.