Q&A with Rene Vazquez

 

Rene Vazquez is a graphic designer here in Orlando that specializes in traditional Print Design and Web Interface design. He has many years of experience working on an array of projects, ranging from identity systems to Flash websites.

What are some of your day to day job activities?

I am one of three graphic designers for all 18 of our offices in our Skanska U.S. division and I assist in any graphic-related content for the company. Everyday I work on something different, one day I can be working on an invitation, t-shirt illustration, logo design and the next day I can be working on a Flash interface, Indesign template, and site signage. This is one of the main reasons I like my job so much because I work on a variety of projects everyday.
What skills or abilities do you find are most important in your work?

Being able to handle multiple jobs with different deadlines is one of the most valuable skills to have in my position. Another is learning how to manage your time efficiently because deadlines change and there are ALWAYS emergencies. A final skill that is important is learning how to work with different personalities. Finally, knowing Photoshop and Illustrator is key for my position.
Do you get to work one-on-one with clients or is your work geared for internal use only?

90% of the jobs I get are from my internal “clients” across the country. Every now and then I can work with an outside client, but not often.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Seeing your final product being used throughout the company or on a job site where everyone can see.
What do you feel is your most difficult challenge in your position?

Deadlines, Deadlines, Deadlines. Knowing how to manage your time to meet the deadlines while producing a good final product is a constant challenge.

What skills and qualities should someone have to be successful in this field of work?

See #2 answers and KNOW your programs. Your willingness to keep learning is key to success in this industry.

 
Is your work limited to print design or do you have opportunities to do interactive design?

Most of my work is print-related but I do work on Flash interfaces and will begin working in After Effects for some projects in the future.

In your estimation, how good are the future career opportunities in this field?

I see this field as a very good opportunity for growth.

In your experience, what do you feel are the advantages and disadvantages to working in a small design firm vs. a large one?

Currently, I feel that a larger firm works best for me, but it depends on your situation and what your career goals are as a designer. I have worked for smaller firms and unfortunately it hasn’t worked out for me. Three of the smaller firms I have worked for went out of business and in turn I had to look for employment elsewhere. In my experience, the smaller firms offer less opportunity for advancement and the benefits offered are far less than a bigger firm. One aspect I appreciate more as I get older are the benefits and that was one factor I considered intently before taking my current role. With any company there are pros and cons, you just have to weigh out your options and see which works for you. Like I said, I prefer the bigger firms.

How important is it as a designer to know about printing presses and how they operate?

It is extremely important because you will need to know how you are going to approach the design. Knowing the printing process will help your design be successful.

Is there one locally that you would recommend?

Yes, Progressive Communications has always been good to me. Ask for Paul Bodoia, he is the best rep I have ever had. Also, for smaller print jobs, Triangle Reprographics is great.

Have you ever done any freelance work and if so, what are some advantages and disadvantages to that vs. working in a corporate environment?

I do a minor amount of freelance design only because I just don’t have the time to work on big projects when I get home. If the project is interesting enough, I will take it on. My company treats me well, so I have that luxury. But at this moment, I am ok with working just in the corporate environment.

 There are many advantages in working freelance. If you can line up a string of steady clients, you can make a decent living at it. Working for yourself is great because you are your own boss and you dictate your hours and you can work from home. Unfortunately there are so many disadvantages for me that I will never do it full-time. Dealing with non-paying clients, the 2am calls from project managers, having no benefits, worrying when the next project is coming and the whole accounting part of it (among other things) is not for me. Some designers are able to handle that but I am good with working in my corporate job, going home at night and not worrying about work until the next day. Of course there are times when I have to work late nights, but those are few and far between. Once again it depends on your personality.
Do you have any other advice you can give me?

1.Be Humble! There will always be a better designer better than you, but if you are humble, have a great personality and a strong portfolio, you will always beat out that arrogant rock-star designer. Our community is small and if you are a jerk, it will come back to haunt you.

2. Get to know your computer programs as much as you can and don’t stop learning about them.

3. Treat your classes now as your clients and take them seriously. Try to make the best projects now because your portfolio is the one thing that gets you an interview.

4. I can’t stress this enough, Act like a professional! If this is what you want to do as a career, act like a professional now.

5. Present your work with confidence. If you are not confident in your work, nobody will be.

6. NEVER turn in projects late. Deadlines are there for a reason and you are always expected to meet them no matter what the circumstances are. In a real job, there are no excuses and they don’t want to hear them. Be on time.

Rene Vazquez

Senior Graphic Designer

Skanska USA Building

Marketing

www.skanska.com

111 N. Magnolia Ave

Suite 1150

Orlando, FL 32801, United States

Phone	+1 407 541 4750
Mobile	+1 407 401 2374
Fax

+1 407 872 0962

Q&A with Mike Casebolt

Mike Casebolt is a freelance designer that is currently a junior designer for Platinum Creative here at Orlando. I stumbled upon him on facebook a while back and I desided to interview him to gather some knowledge about his career and current position as a junior designer.

Derrick: What are some of your day to day job activities?

Mike: My daily activities include poster designs for events, online banner ad concepts, asset creation, and print design. I work on a lot of different things through out the day it really depends on what projects I am given. My work involves Print Design, Web Design, and Motion Graphics.

D: What skills or abilities do you find are most important in your work?

M: I think the skills/abilities are most important are keeping up with what is going on in our industry. Learning new scripts for web development. Checking out tutorials for any Adobe program to learn more about the programs. Communication with projects your working on and always taking in comments about your work.

D: Do you get to work one-on-one with clients or is your work geared for internal use only?

M: The company that I work for with is an in-house design firm so a project manager gives my work to me. The project manager is the one that is taking care of all the traffic of work and gives the work to us.

Outside of my job at Platinum Creative I’m a freelance Graphic Designer. I do work one-on-one with the Clients. It’s nice to be able to work freelance by yourself or with a small group of friends. The only downfall is a lot of clients can will or try to take advantage of freelance designers so ALWAYS use contracts.

D: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

M: The most rewarding part of my job at Platinum Creative is working with very talented designers to learn and grow from. When I was getting my degree in Digital Arts & Design everyone was very competitive so there wasn’t much growing for me as a graphic designer. Once I was out of college and working at a firm my skills and knowledge grew so much when working with designers that have been around a lot longer then I have.

D: What do you feel is your most difficult challenge in your position?

M: Not being challenged enough. I find myself sometimes bored with the work that I get and not put my full potential into it because some work that you’re given is just busy work. Not every think you work on if going to be amazing but you should always take everything you touch and put what you can into it to make it something you would be proud to show.

D: What skills and qualities should someone have to be successful in this field of work?

M: Make an impression. Think outside of the box. Always read industry related materials online or books. Look for inspiration but don’t rely on another artist or designer to make something. Make sure you’re always designing with your style or look and not knocking off something else’s work. Always take the time to check out AIGA Events, local Art shows, and networking with other designers.

D: Is your work limited to print design or do you have opportunities to do interactive design?

M: I spend about an equal amount of time working with Print Design and Web Design. Most of my web work comes from freelance projects. I specialize in xHTML, CSS, Javascript, and CMS design.

D: In your estimation, how good are the future career opportunities in this field?

M: Web will is always growing and increase by billons of dollars every year with Online Advertisements, Web sites, and online applications for media devices like the Iphone. Print isn’t like it used to be because of the Internet but I don’t think that it’s going to just fade away and be forgotten.

D: In your experience, what do you feel are the advantages and disadvantages to working in a small design firm vs. a large one?

M: I would rather be working in a small design firm because you have a closer family to work with. Rather then being in a big firm where you have so many different bosses that have to make approvals and turn good concepts away because they don’t know the whole story of the concept for the advertisement. Also you may not be treat as well in a larger company because there isn’t as much of a relationship built with having a large amount of employees.

D: How important is it as a designer to know about printing presses and how they operate? Is there one locally that you would recommend?

M: I think every designer should have an Idea of how printing works. I’m more into screen-printing and a good book to read on screen print is called “Print Liberation”. I have been to a big printing press and watched the process of printing at a place called Designers Press. They are located in Orlando and are very good for printing large runs. If I’m looking to print business cards I use ww.Moo.com. If you’re looking for screen printing for posters or shirts try Enemy Ink.

Screen Printing: http://www.enemyink.com/

Designers Press: http://yourcreativealliance.com

Book: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Print-Liberation/Nick-Paparone/e/9781600610721/?itm=3

D: Have you ever done any freelance work and if so, what are some advantages and disadvantages to that vs. working in a corporate environment?

M: I would always try getting a full time job first, the reason being is you will learn a lot and be able to have a better understanding on how projects are handled and build your portfolio. Freelance has its ups and downs because of clients being flaky or trying to take advantage of you. I don’t want to scare you away from freelance because I think it’s the best way to work personally because you set your own time, it’s work that you get to have full control of and if it’s a bigger project you can bring your friends in to work with. I would say the best plan for any designer to do is find a design job when you get out of college and get three to five years under your belt and then if you want to work fully on freelance work you can make the change of being your own boss. I said this before but always work with contacts because it’s security for you and your client.

D: Do you have any other advice you can give me?

M: Never stop learning, have fun and always make sure to challenge yourself. In my experience everyone feels that they aren’t good enough or think they are going to fail it’s normal. Never be afraid to take good and smart risks. Never hold back ideas. I would keep a moleskin book with you to either doodle in or write your ideas. Network as much as you can. If you feel stuck on a project either start on a clean slate or try something new because from experience I’ve wasted too much time trying something that wasn’t working out and then tried a new idea and the project came together perfectly. Always ask for second opinions on projects and listen to advice given because it may open your mind up to fixing a problem.