I’m looking to gain experience in the fashion industry. How do I start volunteering as a graphic and layout designer at a magazine?
Replies4
- @Brian Grant Thank you for reaching out. I’ve written a list of small practise projects I’ve been wanting to create for a while to help build my portfolio, just need to dedicate a hours a week on it. In terms of the understanding the world of fashion, I am fascinated by this, so will check out the Waterstones book store location.Working with the LVMH must have been amazing. I guess you’ve got to start small and work up to bigger brands, I will definitely have to be more opened minded with all opportunities which will come to me no matter how big or small. Above all thank you for the advice, I feel more positive about getting into the industry now.
- @Laura Hurst Thank you sending such great advice :) My aim is to work within the editorial/layout design for magazines, for now I’m looking to start small projects and gain short term experience to build my portfolio, as I know it’s a tough industry to get into, I will definitely take on board these questions and write out with a clear understanding of what I want to achieve. Thanks again for your support.
- Hello Briana,It is always challenging to move into a new industry, therefore you can start small and build up gradually until you are in demand.You should create a few fashion related test projects in your portfolio to demonstrate your interest and when people see fashion related content in your portfolio then they will be more likely to give you an opportunity to work with them.It is also useful to have a broad understanding of the world of fashion, you can check out platforms like Vogue, Business of Fashion, Grazia, Harpers, etc. Magazines like Numero, Self Service, V, etc have really nice aesthetic design styles. You can check out the Waterstones bookshop on Garrick Street near Covent Garden, they have a great selection of books and magazines in the area of fashion, and the Magma bookshops in Covent Garden and Clerkenwell have some really nice fashion related design material.You can start off with approaching small companies to start with. I have been fortunate enough to consult for the LVMH group, at the same time that would not have happened if I would not have worked on smaller brands.It is also good to get inspiration from designers who work content for fashion clients, check out Pinterest, Behance, Dribble, Instagram for more.I think that once you immerse yourself in the industry and create work, get to the environments where people from the industry hang out, update your portfolio, interact with fashion related people on social media then things will begin to happen eventually, so good luck and have fun.B.
- List some magazines you'd love to work with and just contact them! Figure out who is best to contact directly – it might be a creative director or some sort of manager, depending on the size of the magazine. If it's a small indie publication it might mean contacting the founder direct.Also think about what you want to do in the fashion industry. What do you want to achieve? Is there a specific kind of experience you want to get? This doesn't have to apply right now, but it helps to have a lighthouse goal to keep in your future sights.And think about what value you can bring now. Do you have a strong design portfolio that you can show them? Do you have previous industry experience? Or are you relatively new, and can provide a fresh perspective? Have confidence in what you can bring. Be enthusiastic and open – we're all people after all, and if you can make a human connection with people they will remember you, even years later.Good luck!
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