Tips for Student Designers and the Small Businesses Who Love Them: OrangeSlyce Life

As technology advances, we find ourselves with a myriad of choices for software and this is especially evident in the design industry.  Though a great designer should practice using all of different types of software, a good graphic designer NEEDS to at least know the following programs to produce good work and also just to find work.

Microsoft Office:  I know this is a complete duh!  However, knowing how to create spreadsheets in Excel, presentations in PowerPoint and reports in Word is crucial to ANY industry.  Make sure you can do anything and everything that involves Microsoft Office.

Adobe Photoshop:  Most of us start playing around with Photoshop as early as high school but regardless it is necessary to know the ins and outs of the program.  Photoshop is crucial for editing and manipulating photos.

Adobe Illustrator:  This software is necessary for creating logos.  Illustrator is key for making graphics and for many design projects (specifically brand development) this will be your go to.

Adobe InDesign:  InDesign is the best layout design software in the business.  From greeting cards to magazine layouts, this software is used for several types of projects.

Make sure you get very familiar with all of these programs and experiment with their many tools.  Taking classes on these programs is also a good idea but be sure you are trying it out on your own as well.

What software do you use most?  Leave me a comment

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It’s safe to say that from the time we were pretty young our parents, our teachers, and maybe even our first employers have always stressed that for any job we need the same basic skills.  Communication skills, organizational skills, leadership abilities, teamwork experience… you know what I’m talking about.  However, from my own personal experience, there are a lot of things (silly somewhat embarrassing to admit that you don’t know how to do things) that nobody will ever say that you need and unfortunately these are the things that you will most likely be asked to do on your first day.  Below, I have listed some that I have come across and how I’ve discovered to handle them.

Make Coffee: I know, that sounds incredibly stupid but think about it.  Imagine  it’s your first day working for a real design firm and you really want to impress your coworkers and do everything right to prove that you belong there when your boss asks you to make coffee.  Simple enough, sure you can do that, child’s play right?  However when you approach the coffee machine and realize you have no idea how that particular one works, that’s where the trouble starts.

How to Handle it: Whatever you do, do NOT ask someone how to “work it.”  Instead, do one of these two things:  1.) Look for the instructions or 2.) Google it!  Chances are if you Google the brand of the coffee maker, you’ll find instructions on how to work it.  A bit of advice:  do NOT simply “figure it out” yourself.  It won’t leave a favorable impression if you break the coffee machine or flood the kitchen area with coffee.

Create an Excel Spreadsheet: Sure we all claim we can do this on our resume, and yes it is not difficult to open up Excel and start typing the information.  But your boss wants it formatted a particular way and you have no clue how to replicate it.  Also, if your company primarily uses Macs, you may have to use Numbers (a similar software to Excel but different enough to stump you) then what?

How to handle it: Yes you could click around and figure it out….and take your whole first day to do it!  Yes, you can also Google step by step how to create it, but assuming it’s more complicated (in the design world it usually is!) that could be just as time consuming as simply clicking around.  My advice?  Look on the company server.  Spare yourself the time and effort, find an existing spreadsheet that is formatted correctly and use it as a template.  Word of caution:  Do NOT replace your “template” with your new spreadsheet.  To avoid this mistake, immediately save the document with a new name.

Call XYZ and Verify Information: Time after time I’ve been asked to do this or have seen a fellow entry-leveler assigned to do this and there always seems to be a slight panicked look in there eyes.  Imagined you are asked this.  Mostly likely a slew of thoughts will run through your head:  “You want me to talk to a person?  I went into design to avoid this!  What do I say?  Will they be able to tell that I’m new and be annoyed?”

How to Handle it: Relax.  This will hardly be an involved or complicated conversation, but it IS important!  Ideally, you’ll have used phone etiquette several times but in case you haven’t, here’s some advice.  Be very polite and put on your “grownup voice.”  Do not mumble, use slang or “uhs and ums.”  What helps me most is writing down what I’m going to say (a script if you will) and just refer to it.  Do NOT simply read from it…you may be hung up on for fear of being a recorded message.  Also, remember to sound friendly.  It’s okay to make a little joke and if it’s a client or corporation that your company works closely with, introduce yourself.

So there you have it.  Three Simple things that you’ll most likely be asked to do on your first day that you can now be completely comfortable with.  As some parting advice, I’d like to leave you with a thought.  Think of your first week as an on-the-job interview.  You want to show that you are the best candidate for the job and that the company has made the right choice in hiring you.  This is the best way to build relationships with your coworkers and overall transition well into the team.

What do you think?  Leave me a comment

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Meet our second student of the month:  Nicole Kutz!  Nicole is a very talented and driven Art Studies major in her senior year at Arizona State University.  After creating exceptional work for us at OrangeSlyce, we realized that this gem of an artist should be our next Student Spotlight.  We asked Nicole a few questions about freelancing, her career goals, and of course, OrangeSlyce.  Here’s how the interview went:

OS:  So what got you interested in Art Studies?

NK:  Ever since I was a little kid, I loved to draw and paint.  My school work was always covered in doodles!  I hope to write and illustrate books eventually, so I wanted to be able to learn the basics about a wide variety of mediums that I could use to achieve this goal.

OS: That sounds really fun!  So what compelled you to join OrangeSlyce?

NK: Actually, a friend emailed me the link to the specific job (drawing illustrations for the OrangeSlyce website) because he thought it looked like something I would be interested in.  The more I learned about it, the more appealing the concept was.

OS: And what appealed to you about OrangeSlyce?

NK:  I liked that, as a student, I have job information without making any initial commitments.  Also, since it’s marketed to students, I know my crazy school schedule will be taken into account from the beginning.

OS: Well said!  So then have you found any other jobs through OrangeSlyce?

NK: I have done a little bit of checking since I started work for OrangeSlyce.  I am currently employed with an engineering company, so I’m not exactly needing any more work at the time.

OS: Do you have any advice for freelancing students?

NK: Being unsure and not knowing all the answers is okay, but being impolite is not!  As long as questions are respectful and you truly apply yourself to learning as much as you can as fast as you can, I have found that people are willing to work with you and help you.

OS: Good advice.  So just to mix it up here, what would be your dream job?

NK: My dream job would be to do writing/freelance writing in between traveling around taking photographs for magazines and books.  Hey we can always dream…..

OS: Of course we can!  So to build on that, do you have a motto or work philosophy?

NK:  My parent’s always taught me to do my best, strive for excellence and work hard and honestly.  It may sound cliche, but it really pays off, especially as I get older and my actions have a larger influence on my reputation and future.

OS:  Thank you Nicole for taking the time to answer our questions.

NK:  Thank you so much for the opportunity!

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It’s that time again.  Time to buy all of your textbooks, start getting up early, and prepare yourself to actually do well this semester.  But let’s be honest, after about oh I don’t know say the first week the newness and excitement of a fresh semester wears off and keeping up with our assignments is a slippery slope.  So what can we do to make Dean’s List this semester?  Well, this is what I’m doing:

1.)   Write Everything Down!  I know I’m a broken record if you read my blog “College Got you Stressed? Five Tips to Help You Relax” but seriously this does help.  I detest having to open the PDF of the course syllabus, scan through the various sections and finally (after five minutes) find what’s due the next day.  If you write down all of the assignments in a planner, you can simply flip to a page and see what’s due in seconds.  It really is a beautiful thing!

2.)   Highlight Your Text Book!  I’m going to tell you what no professor ever will: taking notes is a waste of time, paper, and effort; all you really need to do is highlight important information.   Highlighting is so much more practical because then you don’t have to worry about losing your notes or finding them on your computer if you type them.  Give it a try, I promise you’ll never go back to note taking again.

3.)   Go to Class!  I know you hear this ALL the time, but do you actually listen to it is the real question?  Probably not.  I know how it is, when no one is making you (Ahem, your mother) and in a lecture when there really aren’t a lot of consequences if you do skip, temptation to ditch is high.  My advice?  Take classes with friends (or better yet make a friend in your class).  In my own experience, I am much more likely to attend a class if I have a buddy to suffer through with…I mean learn with!

4.)   Don’t Over Do it!  Last semester I enrolled in a whopping 21 credits!  I know; I have no idea what I was thinking, but regardless learn from my mistake.  If you are taking a class that seems unnecessary and is extra drop it!  If there is no immediate value from taking the class then don’t bother.  Why solicit the extra stress?

5.)   Take Breaks!  You know how nutritionists preach everything in moderation?  Well the same rule applies to school.  Make sure you’re studying and doing your assignments but also plan time away from the books and away from work to do things for fun.  Ultimately, if you are working hard and doing all that you can for your classes your grades will reflect that.  So go ahead, take a break.

What do you do to succeed in school?  Let me know.  Leave me a comment

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We all know the basic ways to get a job: networking, using employment websites, job fairs, etc, but believe it or not there are many different ways to find employment and some are in places you would have never imagined.

Think your pastimes are just for fun?  Think again!  Recently my father started his own computer software company and hired two young college students to help him implement the software.  How did he meet these two?  From playing the popular internet computer game World of War Craft!  So next you’re in your yoga class or at a concert, talk to the people around you.  Who knows who you’ll meet.

Find any interesting companies on Twitter lately?  Send them a message.  Likewise you can also follow their company on LinkedIn (one of the sites’ newer features) and “like” their company on Facebook.  Social media is a great networking tool as well as a great way to find companies in your industry that appeal to you.  Not to mention, reading your favorite company’s tweets and staying informed about what they are doing  is a great way to impress them at an interview.

Think your boring part-time job is just for a little extra cash?  Wrong!  Working in retail is a great way to meet new people.  When I feel like I’m building a good rapport with a customer, I like to try and get to know them and often ask what they do for a living.  If they are in a field that you’re interested in tell them so.  Chances are if the service you provided them was exceptional and they see that you have a great personality they might want to snatch you up as their own employee.  Just be careful, there is a fine line between being pushy and being assertive when it comes to marketing yourself.  You can usually gauge who will be receptive to this versus who will not.

Did you meet your employer in an unusual way?  Tell me about it!  Leave me a comment

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So you’ve started your business and have all that you need to get it going…that is until you realize you need a logo, and a website designed, and a background for twitter and facebook.  Sure you could Google designers in AZ and find someone that has an awesome portfolio and really impressive clients but that can get real expensive real fast.  Now what? Hire a student designer!  Here’s why:

1.) They are affordable:  That’s definitely the best part!  Most student designers are in need of experience and samples for their portfolio and are willing to work for a fraction of the cost of a boutique design studio.

2.) They are talented:  Did you know that the ASU graphic design program is one of the most prestigious at ASU and due to this only the best are accepted?  Students are expected to deliver amazing work under tight deadlines using only the best that technology can provide so keep this in mind if you still aren’t convinced that a mere student can do your logo justice.

3.) They have fresh ideas:  In the design world youth is definitely a bonus simply because with youth comes with a fresh perspective.  Since a student is relatively new to the field, they bring new ideas and don’t simply repeat old ones with different colors and typography.

4.) They do what you ask:  Because they are happy to get any paying work, customer service will be attentive and prompt.  You don’t have to worry about being forgotten due to other clients and best of all, a student won’t try to sell you any additional services.

5.) They are temps:  Once you get the services that you need, both parties are free to go their own separate ways.  No commitment, no awkward conversations just great work for you and great experience for the student.

Still think a design firm is the way to go?  Of course not!  Make an Orange Slyce account today and find your perfect student designer.

Have some feedback?  Leave me a comment

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Though our college years are a fun time (especially if you go to ASU) they can also be a very stressful time.  Many of us balance school, work, family, friends, internships and other things that complicate our lives.   With this juggling act it’s easy to get stressed out.  Here are some things that I do to help me calm down and ease my stress.

Write Something: There’s something calming about typing away at my little desk so any time I’m really overwhelmed  I like to write.  I write about anything really; sometimes it’s how I am feeling sometimes it’s what I did that day, sometimes it’s even a little story.  The point is, writing is a really good way to reduce stress.

Get Active: Going to the gym, playing a sport, going for a walk, any of these things are guaranteed to pump you up with endorphins and help you clear your mind of any worry.  In this hot Arizona heat, swimming is another great way to be active and relax.  No matter what activity you like to do, it will definitely help you stay healthy and stress-free.

Try a Healthy Snack: I know eating your feelings is never good, but the moment you grab an apple or banana from the fridge and take a bite, you’ll know exactly what I mean.  Healthy foods just instantly make me feel better so when I’m really stressed about a deadline or project, having a little snack of fruit is a great way to get me focused and calm.

Organize Yourself: The first week of classes I gather up all of the class syllabi and write down every due date in my weekly planner.  This way I can see exactly what’s due on what day and I can avoid the panic of flipping through the class schedule the night before trying to find out if anything needs to be turned in.  Note:  the ASU bookstore on College gives out free planners!

Take A Deep Breath: Simple right?  But seriously, more often than not things aren’t as stressful as we think.  So just calm down, take a breath and move forward.

So next time you’re feeling stressed, try these out.  I know they work for me.  Do you have any stress-relief tips?  Leave me a comment

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By Lizzy Rice

As students, we sometimes agonize over what we want our major to be.  Do you ever think things like, “well I like history, but can I actually get a job with that degree?”  Well don’t worry; you’re not alone.  We all question what we are studying at some point in our academic careers but one of the most foolproof ways to maintain a balanced degree (and by balanced I mean studying something that interests you but still learning marketable skills) is to add a minor.   Here are just a few good ideas that Arizona State University offers that are bound to add some depth to any major.

Business: This is probably the mother of all minors.  A minor in business gives you a great base for any given career path.  As a business minor, you will take courses in economics, accounting, management and other skills that can easily be transferred from one industry to another.

Communication: Some people may disagree with this selection, but I think a communication minor can add a lot to a degree.  As any book, teacher, or professional will tell you, the number one highly sought after skill for potential new employees is strong communication skills.  Therefore, I say, add this as a minor and you have a seriously marketable skill listed directly on your resume.

English: You know in a group project how someone always has to be the writer?  Well the work world is no different and most people cringe at the thought of writing a report or composing a memo.  Do you enjoy writing?  Then why not add English as a minor, so that your employer can breathe a sigh of relief at potentially hiring somebody who isn’t afraid to write.

Psychology: The ability to understand different types of people is an invaluable skill for any potential employee.   Adding a minor to your degree like psychology gives you this added value plus it also is a great way to discuss in a cover letter how being a psychology minor helps you relate to clients and/or customers; always a definite plus.

Spanish: If you plan to continue living in Arizona, you might want to think seriously about minoring and becoming fluent in Spanish.  To list this minor on a resume automatically gives you a leg up in any industry.  So if you love Spanish or foreign languages in general, you should consider making this your minor.

Agree or Disagree?  Leave me a comment 

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As I approach my last semester of college (just filed for graduation two days ago) I find myself super excited but also thinking “There are so many things that I want to do before I graduate!”  Here are my recommendations.  Sadly, some of the things on the list I didn’t get a chance to do, but hopefully you’ll learn from my regrets and complete this whole list.

1.)   Study abroad: Ah, my biggest regret.  Sadly I never got to do this but I seriously recommend it!  The chance to live and go to school abroad may never come up again, so take advantage of a student visa and pack your bags!

2.)   Get an internship: This is Orange Slyce, of course I recommend that!  But seriously, if only one is required for your major do another one.  They can only help you in the future.

3.)   Buy computer software: This one’s a little bit random but for the design student, essential!  Take advantage of your student discount and buy all of your favorite design and other computer products.

4.)   Get a mentor: Is there a professor that you really enjoyed learning from?  Talk to him or her.  This is a great way to network and also learn more about your field.

5.)   Take a random class: Do you secretly love theater?  Or maybe you want to learn the basics of criminal justice?  Whatever your guilty pleasure, take a class on it.

6.)  Use the gym: Being a student comes with lots of benefits but one of the best is the great fitness center.  Start working out now while its free with your tuition.

7.)   Craft a Killer Resume: Go to the career center and have one of their experts help you out.  It’s totally free and you walk away with a great resume ready to send out into the job market.

8.)   Go to a Career Fair: This is a great way to find potential employers and also build your networking skills in a familiar and unpretentious environment.

What do you think?  Is anything missing?  Leave me a comment!

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Changing Industries:  Advertising and PR

Most people would agree that social media is a good thing, right?  I mean, come on, we all get excited when we see that someone has commented on one of our facebook photos or when someone has started following us on twitter;  it’s easy to get sucked in.  What I’m wondering though, is if this new idea of advertising online is changing the old ideas about advertising and PR.

This year, McDonalds hired one of the first ever Chief of Social Media.  How crazy is that?  I thought I was just wasting my time creating silly facebook pages and updating my tweets but now I see that I can make an entire career out of it!  Every company has a twitter and facebook page now, and let’s face it, if they don’t, they aren’t being competitive.   What I’m curious about however, is this:  does this new social media obsession put traditional careers in PR and marketing in jeopardy?  According to David Meerman Scott, who wrote “The New Rules of Marketing and PR” (a great read by the way; I highly suggest it) thinks that social media and the world of the internet will in fact challenge the old job functions of marketing and PR professionals.

Scott says “Prior to the web, organizations had only two significant choices to attract attention:  Buy expensive advertising or get third-party ink from the media.”  He continues to write “Organizations that understand the New Rules of Marketing and PR develop relationships directly with consumers…”

So, I ask this again:  If the traditional role of advertising (buying expensive ad space) and PR (getting mentions from the media) are seemingly obsolete due to the new concept of reaching customers directly through social media efforts, then couldn’t several traditional advertising and public relations agencies go out of business?

I’ve noticed that many traditional advertising agencies and pr firms have started to embrace this trend by including social media services in their list of specialties.   However, one thing I have seen that interests me is how they phrase these services.  They seem to Lightly threaten potential clients by saying things like “sure social media could help your business but only if done properly.”  It’s almost like they want to stop clients from managing their social media accounts on their own.  It makes me wonder if there is a fear that organizations will lean towards doing their social media themselves rather than go to an agency and therefore the agency feels more inclined to suggest that only advertising professionals know how to social network properly.

My opinion?  I think agencies are a bit fearful, and they are definitely not wrong to be.  The concept of social media advertising is still pretty new and it is only going to get bigger.  My advice?  Get a twitter!  I know, I know, a bunch of you either groaned or dry heaved but seriously, do it!  In fact, get everything!  Start a blog, get a linkedin, take at least one picture a day and post it to flickr.  This is the new frontier!  Do you really want to be left behind?  Embrace social media;  it’s here to stay.

Comments?  I’d love to hear them

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