http://www.statenews.com The State News Visual Editor Andrea Zagata blogs about the world of visual journalism. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:06:48 -0500 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/design_jobs_part_4networking For my last blog in the Design Jobs series, my friend and fellow designer, MSU alumnus Daniel Thai suggested that I cover networking. Connections made online and job tips found on Twitter can lead to freelance work and valuable contacts.  Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:06:48 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/design_jobs_part_4networking http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/design_jobs_part_3_interviews I’ve been on both sides of the interview table, or in many cases, the phone line.  Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:50:40 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/design_jobs_part_3_interviews http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/designjobs_part_2_how_to_cut_your_clips Andrea Zagata blogs about choosing clips for design job applications and the challenges that come with making selections. Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:18:45 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/designjobs_part_2_how_to_cut_your_clips http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/design_jobs_part_1_application_packets Last year, I sent out about 10 design applications to various newspapers. I got two interviews and no internship. Since then, I’ve seen a bajillion design applications to work at The State News, and sent out a million more of my own. Getting an interview never is a guarantee, but I’ve learned how to put together a design application from two angles — as the employer and the applicant. Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:11:13 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/02/design_jobs_part_1_application_packets http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/locator_maps_love_em_hate_em_use_them_wisely “One field mouse is cute, but 100,000 of them …” reads the newspaper graphics guide produced by the Detroit Free Press in 2006. And when it comes to locator maps, this mantra couldn’t ring truer. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:43:49 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/locator_maps_love_em_hate_em_use_them_wisely http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/new_msu_logo_throws_away_tradition_weakens_brand I know I’m not the only one who saw the new MSU Spartans helmet logo and asked what in the world the university was thinking.  Thu, 21 Jan 2010 23:45:37 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/new_msu_logo_throws_away_tradition_weakens_brand http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/steps_for_success Every designer, at one point or another, has a day when everything looks the same and nothing seems to click.  Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:35:45 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/steps_for_success http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/sketching_an_important_communication_tool_even_for_the_nonartist Dear Word People,  Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:31:23 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2010/01/sketching_an_important_communication_tool_even_for_the_nonartist http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2009/12/five_great_gifts_for_the_typography_lover_in_your_life In my family, it’s a running joke to choose the birthday card with the worst typography, so I have to pretend to like it. My house full of English teachers listens to me complain about bad design, plays “name that typeface” with me when I pick up a flyer, and knows that using Comic Sans on anything will earn them a short lecture. Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:25:42 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2009/12/five_great_gifts_for_the_typography_lover_in_your_life http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2009/11/school_of_thought_split_when_it_comes_to_choosing_typefaces I’m kind of a typography snob, which in the real world means that I often make obscure references and embarrass myself by revealing my true, dorkiest self. I can’t help it, I just like the way letters look (Comic Sans and Papyrus excluded). Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:40:28 -0500 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/blog/i_shot_the_serif/2009/11/school_of_thought_split_when_it_comes_to_choosing_typefaces