Critique of sorts needed.

[Toon]

Don't let it get you down, it's so competitive out there now, it's tough. Have you tried any of the Rotherham print houses they're usually on the lookout.

[Cwilk]

Shaz....you may want to create some 'flashy' pieces for your portfolio just for the heck of it. You might want to also find a friend who is needing some easy design work and do it for free. It will give you a reference and more stuff for your portfolio.

I worked in a print shop a very long time ago and it actually helped me get a job over others with more design experience because I knew how to operate the equipment for matchprints and film output. This was a savings to the company to know I could get a design out of the computer and to print properly. I only got to be a better designer from there.

Keep plugging away at getting a job and don't forget that not every company wants a cutting edge designer. Some want simplicity and normal. With your experience, you could get your foot in the door of a publishing company. Great stability for the future.

[Shazmataz]

Thanks for the advice. But my print experience hasn't worked in my favour so far. I get the impression its held against me!

I hope you're right and someone out there will see it as a postive.

I've already have done some design work for free when I was training myself to use Illustrator
http://www.sharonlockwood.co.uk/pdfs...teHirePack.pdf

Thats the most interesting thing I've done all year! Hence my looking for a new job. The design work in my current job is very thin on the ground now. I mostly work the digital press and plotter. I'm going mad with boredom!

I suppose I should do some more interesting peices for my portfolio. But it's hard to muster the enthusiam when I've been at work all day and feeling knackered.

I am genuinely beginning to question my abilities. I completely lost all confidence at work today over a simple design job.

Sorry everyone! I'm feeling very negative and down about everything today. Thanks for listening to me moan.