Tell me what you need/want

Joined: 07 Mar 2005 Posts: 35

A warm hello to all you graphic students!

My name is Kristin Schwarz and I was recently hired by AWAI to make the graphics course even bigger and better than it is now and to be here for you all. I am originally from Germany, so if my grammar at times seems a little funky, this is why… My background is in marketing and graphic design and for the past 3 years I have worked for a direct mail house, where I have actively produced and worked on the design of direct mail packages.

Coming from the graphic design world I have a lot of ideas to help you accelerate and boost your graphic design career to the next level. But I also want to hear from you!
What are you most interested in? How can we better help you achieve your goal of becoming a freelance graphic designer? All comments, questions and concerns are welcome. Post you ideas in the forum or send me an email to graphics@awaionline.com

I am looking forward to getting to know you in the forum and hopefully meeting some of you at the upcoming boot camp.
Thank you all and have a great weekend!

Kristin Schwarz
Graphics Program Director
AWAI

Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2005 12:31 am

Hi Kristin! Welcome aboard!

Nice to meet you Very Happy

Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

Hi Kristin,

I'm new here and am looking forward to all you have to share with me! I'm in the process of changing careers and it's a bit nerve-racking at times. I'm started on my third installment and need to be working in graphic design by late summer. (That's when the paychecks stop rolling in from my current career...teaching) Any suggestions would be greatly welcomed.

Kate

PS Where can I get info on the upcoming bootcamp?

Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 9:17 pm

Welcome Kate!

There's a forum section called, "Annual FastTrack to Success – 2005 Bootcamp"

(head back to "AWAI Student's Forum Index" - above, left click) or click here:

http://awaistudents.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=18

Joined: 22 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

Thanks Diana!

Bootcamp sounds great.

Kate

Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 19

Hi There,

I just spent about a half-hour perusing the AWAI Wall of Fame. It was really inspiring and I'm not even a copywriter! I've been a member for some time but admittedly, just now giving it my full attention. Anywho, I'd like to see the GDS program as full and rich as the Copywriting program. It seems that copywriting is AWAI's main focus and strong suit and I respect that. But the GDS program would definitely benefit from the following:

-Bi-weekly newsletter emails (that's twice a month, right:)
-More tips on building your client base.
-Networking opportunities (was the last AWAI Bootcamp in '05?)
-Updated course materials that include samples of successful controls in the internet age.
-More opportunities for spec assignments with the leading Direct Mail companies.

Lastly, I think a nice addition to the email newsletter would be to add a critique of a successful control from the graphic designer's perspective. Show & Tell is always a good thing.

Hope this helps and look forward to hearing your thoughts...

Best,
k.

Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 2:40 pm

Dear K,

The Wall of Fame certainly is inspiring, and like you, I'd like to see more GD students profiled.

GD students do get a bi-weekly newsletter, called Inside Freelance Design. Contact Student Services to get on the mailing list. It does not currently include a review of a control, but neither does the Golden Thread for copywriters. Instead, AWAI offers subscriptions to Monthly Copywriting Genius, a monthly publication that has professional critiques of a control from both the copywriting and the graphic design perspectives. Student Services can help you sign up for that, too.

I attended Bootcamp in '05 and '06, and there was a GD track both years, as well as several years before that. We were such a small group that it was easy to get to know one another over the 3 days of Bootcamp. There were spec assignment opportunities for GD students, too, but far fewer (only 8 this past fall). I have learned, however, through contact with AWAI, that a different type of Bootcamp experience is (potentially) being set up for '07 for Graphic Design students. The plans aren't finalized, so there hasn't been an announcement yet.

I agree it would be nice for more updated course materials, and I have suggested to AWAI that the GD students would like an opportunity for their own Masters program and/or Mentoring program, similar to that offered for the copywriting students.

The Moderator may want to move this thread to more general discussion, because I'd like to hear what other GD students have on their "wish lists."

Thanks for bringing up the topic!

Nancy Pickering
Pen and Brush Communications
www.penandbrushcommunications.com

Joined: 12 Dec 2005 Posts: 19

I do receive the Inside Freelance newsletter but just wish to receive it more often (always get confused on the use of "bi-weekly" does that mean once a month or twice a month...LOL!)

Anywho, I haven't seen any news on a GD Bootcamp for '07 but definitely would be interested (if funds allow). I'll stay tuned...

Thanks,
k.

Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 44 Location: USA

I'd be interested in a mentoring program if one were available (and affordable...)

I just finished the assignments for the course and am feeling a little lost about where to go next. Self-promotion, I guess...

But for now I can at least procrastinate while waiting for feedback on the assignments. I just don't want to procrastinate too long...