That’s What A Portfolio Is For – And References, DUH
This is Part 2. Please see Part 1,
Zoo Graphic Designer Position – Job Not Wanted (Part 1)
The Zoo ad also said if you apply for their graphic design job and they call you in, that you must under-go an on-site test to prove that you really know how to use Photoshop.
They mentioned in their ad that their version of Photoshop is version CS5, and that they want someone who can isolate hair from a background image.
I understood their ad to mean if they phoned you up and you go in, that they would have you sit at a desk and someone who works there would actually watch as you isolate hair from a background in CS5.
One problem is that CS5 does not have the updated methods and tools for removing hair. I myself have version CS4 of the creative suite, but I’ve read online tutorials of how the kids are removing hair from backgrounds these days.
As it turns out, version CS6 and higher of Photoshop introduced a more advanced, refined manner of isolating hair from backgrounds that is not available in versions CS5 and earlier. Do the zoo people realize that? They should. Do they care? They should. They should consider updating their graphics software.
I’m an introvert. I get nervous when people watch me work in graphics software over my shoulder. I tend to make mistakes or take ten times longer to accomplish a task when working on graphics with something watching my every move than I would if the person would just look away or leave the room.
I also take the zoo’s requirement here to be an admission of sorts that they must realize they are being lazy and cheap bastards – instead of hiring two people, a qualified construction worker, AND a qualified graphics professional, they are trying to get one person to do the job of two people – and these are two totally unrelated job fields.
I take it that the zoo’s human resources department anticipate getting an influx of big, brawny men who normally work construction but who don’t know a damn thing about Photoshop to apply for their job, and to lie on their resumes and say, “Oh sure, I’m not only experienced at fence building, but I kick booty at graphics too. Hire me!”
Hence, the requirement that you must “prove” your Photoshop chops at their office in front of their staff.
I find the premise of having a person “prove” their skills in person like that redundant and insulting.
If you want to find out if a person is experienced and talented at Photoshop or Illustrator, you ask to see portfolio samples, and you interview their former bosses or clients.
The whole purpose of a graphic design portfolio is to “prove” your computer skills and artistic and design talents. DERP!
You ask to see prior work from the artist. You do not ask them to sit in front of you, open Photoshop and get to work then and there on a banner or book cover design, anymore than you’d ask a traditional artist to actually paint you a bowl of fruit in oils on a canvas. No, you would look at their previous oil paintings, or photos thereof, to get an idea of their skill level.
We artists have portofilos – whether printed on paper or in the format of online galleries – precisely so that you can see if we have the talents and skills necessary. Don’t insult us by asking us to perform on the spot as though we are circus seals.
I would imagine the same is true for other professions. If you wanted to know if an interior designer is any good, you’d ask to see photos of previous rooms he or she decorated; you would not ask the designer to design a room right there on the spot in your office. If you think that is appropriate, you are weird.
If you want to know if a cosmetic surgeon’s work is any good, you’d ask to speak to former patients their experiences and views, or leaf through a photo of “before” and “after” photos of his or her patients, I’d hope you’d not ask or demand the cosmetic surgeon to perform on the spot by performing some procedure on you, or on a new patient as you watch.
Auto mechanics, plumbers, restaurants – you would ask previous clients about their work, or check sites like Angie’s or Yelp for the reviews. I would hope you would not demand an on site performance.
There is a reason why artists have portfolios – and that is to show and prove the level of their talent and skill. You should not ask to sit back and watch an artist work in person on the spot, especially not to get a job. Most won’t appreciate it. There might be a few odd balls who don’t mind, but I think most artists and web designers would be appalled or find the request very strange and unprofessional.
Musings of a Graphic Designer 