what else should I prepare if my grade is not so high?

[ngquochung86]

I'm a multimedia design student. I am aware that my GPA (grade point average) is not so high, only 2.8 over 4.
If I don't have good grade, what else should I prepare to be impressive with the employers?

Besides, I've heard that there're 2 different ideas about grades:
1/I've heard from some other person saying that for designers the grade is not really important.
2/But I have heard from some other old person saying that when employers look for employees, they will first look at the GPA and that is the thing that help us get into there company.
From your experiences, would you please tell me which idea is corret? Thank you

[StiligeCecilie]

Having a strong portfolio would be most important, imo. That's what you have to show for, grades doesn't tell you anything.

[eziemac]

From an academic point of view good grades allow you to go further and the further you go the better your portfolio will be.

If you want to be a designer i would say a portfolio is the most important.

[ngquochung86]

I've heard from some of my friend that I only need to create a blog and post all the art work there to show the employer.
Is it enough for the portfolio to be something like a blog?
Or does it need to be something else, something more pro like flash-based webpages?

[StiligeCecilie]

I've heard from some of my friend that I only need to create a blog and post all the art work there to show the employer.
Is it enough for the portfolio to be something like a blog?
Or does it need to be something else, something more pro like flash-based webpages?

If you're a webdesigner, I think you should be able to make a nice site for your portfolio. If not, then a blog should do just fine. Perhaps Wordpress?

[likethegoddess]

Firstly, I'll agree that your portfolio is most important. That said, your grades in school also represent your ability to learn and assimilate information. If you still have the opportunity to bring your grades up, I'd try for 3.0+. You might also to get letters of recommendation from your professors.

As StiligeCecilie alluded to, your online portfolio may depend on your skill set. A web developer/designer will probably want to code from scratch. CMS is an acceptable alternative. For that, I'd recommend Wordpress.

You might also take a look at:
The One Page Graphic Design Portfolio Guide

Hope this helps.

Diana

[Amusekd]

I know from what you've posted on the forums here that you do some print design. I would recommend a nice portfolio presentation book Itoya Art Profolio Pro Presentation Book and an actual printed book, something like Apple iLife iPhoto Book.

While I agree that your portfolio is MOST important when interviewing for a position, higher grades usually refelct a willingness to learn and some interviewers will place more value in a good GPA.

[Cwilk]

As a business owner and designer, your portfolio is the main thing that will win you a position, but if you don't have the knowledge to back up what is in your portfolio, it won't matter.

For example: I had a young lady interview with me and she showed me an impressive portfolio. I asked her to tell me how she created something on one of the portfolio pieces and she couldn't tell me. It was a basic white glow on lettering. Well after reviewing her portfolio, I moved her into the office with the computers and left her at a computer on Quark Xpress (at the time) and gave her instructions on doing the layout of something that was created and printed on paper. All of the elements were already available for her (on the pasteboard) on the computer, she just needed to make the pasteboard items on the computer match the printed piece. But she couldn't figure out how to measure in order to place the text or headline or even change the font to Palatino or Helvetica. So she wasn't hired. If she had even had the least bit of experience and knew what some of the things were on the computer, she may have had the job. And while we were hiring for entry-level, we weren't hiring to teach from scratch. The person needed basic knowledge that she didn't have.

Learn more about the tools you use and solving problems on the computer with the software you plan on designing in — that's what will get you a job over someone else. Don't worry too much about your grades.

[Mack]

as someone who does the hiring for web designers @ my company i have never looked at a potential designers GPA. I have only focused on the work they bring to the table via an online portfolio.

I dont care if you have a 4.0, nor do i care if you bring me a CD, or stack of print work. If you applying for a position working on the web, ya better have something on the web to show.

[murrayd77]

To get into a good designing company, they will seek your grade and your work. If you work is more appealing, they wont consider how low your grade is. The company will look for a capable designer rather than top scorer. You better post all your work on the blog and have more visitors to your blog and that will be a very plus for your job hunt. The company will always prefer guys who bring their ideas to light without any hesitation!!!

-- Dave.:flowers: