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How much do design jobs except you to know?

Posted 07.03.2016 @ 5.30PM (Edited 07.03.2016 @ 6.27PM)

**How much do design jobs expect you to know?

Hello, I am a junior designer (working on my own) for a company. Id like to move on as I am getting bored, however I have been looking at job ads and there will always be one or two things listed in the requirements that I have never done before.

eg: powerpoint presentations - Im sure i could do this but havent done one since highschool, and never in a 'proper' graphic design aesthetic.
large documents / books - I have only created catalogues of max 10-12 pages.
flash animation - only done once in uni.
MailChimp - current job outsources to a digital agency to code emails

most jobs I am coming across always seem to be for companies where I would be the only designer (same as current situation) so not sure if the 'fake it till you make it' approach will work. Im sure I could figure most of these things out but prob not in the fast paced timeframe a job would want me to.

Do I need to be looking into courses to learn these things? I'm just not sure how I am meant to learn them when being the only designer in a place.

Posted 07.03.2016 @ 8.19PM

Welcome JOHNH.

From what I see of many job ad's, they're wanting the moon on a stick regarding skills.
Print, web, animation, branding and so on.

Maybe some of them are just firing out what they'd ideally like in an " if you don't try, you don't get" kind of way?
Maybe others are really wanting a jack of all trades?
I dunno. The lists just seem to get longer and longer.

It does make me wonder sometimes how that expect a junior level designer to have solid experience in all these areas as it can take years to get proficient in just one.

As you are at a junior level, it might be more beneficial to be working with other designers at higher levels as there would be SO much you could learn from them.

I sometimes wonder how you can be ranked as a designer (junior, mid, senior) when you're the only one.
In my last job I was a Senior Designer/Illustrator and I was the only designer.
Saying that, guess it's better than being a 45 year old junior. ;D

Posted 07.03.2016 @ 9.58PM

Thanks Scotty, There do seem to be a large number especially wanting extensive knowledge in both print + digital.
I am having trouble finding many jobs where there are other designers, I work as an inhouse designer rather than in an agency so maybe thats the reason?

I agree, I have no idea how the ranking system works, seems to differ from company to company and of course depending on what they're willing to pay.

I would like to be learning more on the job, just can't seem to find a place like that!

Posted 07.03.2016 @ 10.00PM

Try to avoid the jobs with a huge list of requirements/skills. It's usually a red flag for me.

Posted 08.03.2016 @ 10.37AM

just go for it... the only thing i would flag would be digital if you haven't had much experience. if its a junior pos they might help you learn.

Posted 08.03.2016 @ 10.47AM

Thanks guys, @DAN sometimes it will be a long list but with others there will be one thing I can't do, say publication design of large documents. Sure I could learn but if i'm the only designer there I feel its risky if I run in to trouble or am unable to make the deadline.

@ZACK486 I am keen on a few positions I have seen and do want to apply, however in these roles there is noone to teach me I would be the solo designer.

sometimes even little things like running into an annoying 'glitch' or where is that function in photoshop that allows me to do 'x'. I can google but sometimes even that can chew up time for something so minor!

I work as an inhouse designer. Most jobs seem to be solo, so just not sure where to go from here.

Did most of you initially work under a senior designer? So far I have only worked solo. Worried that has now put me a bit behind.

Posted 08.03.2016 @ 11.38AM

If a junior designer I would definitely be looking for roles where you can learn from someone more senior, will most likely take you leaps and bounds further than working alone.

Posted 08.03.2016 @ 11.40AM

@Johnh - in your position I'd apply for the jobs you're interested in and show your best relevant work. If you get an interview, be honest about what you haven't done, but also talk about the transferable skills you do have (i.e. those catalogues are a good start towards long documents) and talk about what you'd do to get up to speed.

Speaking of getting up to speed, you can either start working for teams where there's another designer, or find yourself some industry contacts that are happy to point you in the right direction when you're stuck. Depending on where you live, I'd strongly recommend you go to meetups or AGDA events to meet people. If all else fails, research what agencies or bigger inhouse studios are in your area and approach a few to see if someone would be interested in helping you out (although I'm not sure what your success rate on this would be).

Posted 08.03.2016 @ 12.13PM

::sometimes even little things like running into an annoying 'glitch' or where is that function in photoshop that allows me to do 'x'. I can google but sometimes::

We all do that so don't sweat it. Some days the brain just doesn't work..