Crank up some Sondheim and parade your talent in a forum today! Forums are a wonderful...and often underused...venue to showcase your work. And depending on which sites you participate in, it could lead to some very promising prospects before they even clicky the linky to your website.
Many design sites offer plenty of opportunities to showcase one's talent. Both HOW forums for example not only have a dedicated showcase section to put up one's creative accomplishments, their Lounge/Watercooler section (respectively) also contain threads where the locals often display completed professional or recreational work, for exposure or just for kicks. The Graphic Design Forum as another example also has a similar permanent section where it's design denizens often proudly tack up their creativity. In many cases, it resulted in referrals by fellow designers who are looking for a capable hand or a studio/firm/[insert business here] who might be looking for a position to fill.
Show and Critique?
One of the things I enjoy about forums (aside from the camaraderie) are the benefits. A Creative from any niche or level can come for advice (not simply for a crit mind you, but business management, promotions, software help...you name it). Some of the pros quite naturally include the fact that peers from all levels of experience can guide or weigh in on one's direction. There are other more subtle benefits. For those who open-mindedly endure the slings and arrows of harsh criticism from peers who ordinarily hold loftier standards than the average layman, there's the reward of attaining an understanding of how to better carry themselves as a professional. When critiquing projects, one tends to appreciate that one's intangible brainstorm development is often more important than the final execution itself. *Poof!* Before they even realize it, their A-game improves. And for those who give the critique, the bonus lies in not only mentoring or aiding their right-thinking Brethren, they also display their own conceptual skill and experience as well. They spotlight the importance of arriving at effective, creative, promotional solutions.
Forums addicts wisely utilize their dedicated sig space to link to their various websites, blogs or similar endeavors, increasing traffic. This in turn positively affects ye olde Google rating. Using my own as an example, often a link to one of the forums I haunt will often appear on the first page. And if it's in a thread where I'm either imparting my two bits, showcasing my work or expanding my knowledge (potential employers like people who demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt)—I get bonus exposure points. Sah-weet.
A little caveat regarding forums—watch what you write. Employers/potential clients (or acquaintances therein) HAVE been known to monitor these forums, more frequently than you'd think. Try to maintain enough professionalism to avoid slandering or whining about PITA clients/jobs, particularly by name. I have heard tales of folks losing their gig because a client/employer received wind of some callously posted complaints that were directed at them by disgruntled designers.
Many design sites offer plenty of opportunities to showcase one's talent. Both HOW forums for example not only have a dedicated showcase section to put up one's creative accomplishments, their Lounge/Watercooler section (respectively) also contain threads where the locals often display completed professional or recreational work, for exposure or just for kicks. The Graphic Design Forum as another example also has a similar permanent section where it's design denizens often proudly tack up their creativity. In many cases, it resulted in referrals by fellow designers who are looking for a capable hand or a studio/firm/[insert business here] who might be looking for a position to fill.
Show and Critique?
One of the things I enjoy about forums (aside from the camaraderie) are the benefits. A Creative from any niche or level can come for advice (not simply for a crit mind you, but business management, promotions, software help...you name it). Some of the pros quite naturally include the fact that peers from all levels of experience can guide or weigh in on one's direction. There are other more subtle benefits. For those who open-mindedly endure the slings and arrows of harsh criticism from peers who ordinarily hold loftier standards than the average layman, there's the reward of attaining an understanding of how to better carry themselves as a professional. When critiquing projects, one tends to appreciate that one's intangible brainstorm development is often more important than the final execution itself. *Poof!* Before they even realize it, their A-game improves. And for those who give the critique, the bonus lies in not only mentoring or aiding their right-thinking Brethren, they also display their own conceptual skill and experience as well. They spotlight the importance of arriving at effective, creative, promotional solutions.
Forums addicts wisely utilize their dedicated sig space to link to their various websites, blogs or similar endeavors, increasing traffic. This in turn positively affects ye olde Google rating. Using my own as an example, often a link to one of the forums I haunt will often appear on the first page. And if it's in a thread where I'm either imparting my two bits, showcasing my work or expanding my knowledge (potential employers like people who demonstrate the ability to learn and adapt)—I get bonus exposure points. Sah-weet.
A little caveat regarding forums—watch what you write. Employers/potential clients (or acquaintances therein) HAVE been known to monitor these forums, more frequently than you'd think. Try to maintain enough professionalism to avoid slandering or whining about PITA clients/jobs, particularly by name. I have heard tales of folks losing their gig because a client/employer received wind of some callously posted complaints that were directed at them by disgruntled designers.
