Tracy Shaw is the Senior Designer at an internet marketing company in Massachusetts. She has is a visual designer with experience in Web Design, User Experience/Usability Design, Visual Design, Graphic Design, Print Design, Corporate Identity & Branding, Flash Animation, Email Design, Illustration, Film & Video Production.
How did you become interested in this field?
I have been interested in art since I was a child. I was always doodling on pieces of paper, drawing cartoons or just sketching objects around me.
What type of training or education best prepared you for your work in this position/field?
After taking every art class available in high school, I decided to major in art in college. Originally, I applied to only top level art schools on the east coast. After being accepted to a few of them, I realized that the art program at a State University would cost a significant amount less. Because of this, I decided to enroll at SUNY Oneonta and major in Studio Art. Although the major was focused more on traditional art skills (painting, drawing, sculpture), I personally concentrated on computer art (animation) and film. After college, I was offered an entry level production artist job for a publishing company. There I started to focus my efforts more on the web and a shift to web design as a career, rather than computer animation and film. So even though I didn’t specifically take web or graphic design classes in college, I have been able to carry over the basic art/design foundations & principles into my current career.
What types of projects are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on a redesign of my company’s website. The main objectives are to update the overall look & feel of the site, as well to improve and simplify its usability. After that I will be working on a new social media site focused on education. A big part of a designer’s job is research. I take a little time each day to read design blogs and look at other design sites to keep up on current trends, best practices and usability options.
What do you like most about your job?
The thing I like most about my job is that I am allowed to create something new almost every day. Even though web design isn’t exactly what I went to school for, I am extremely fortunate to have found a career that I enjoy and that requires a creative/art background.
What advice do you have for others who are interested in pursuing a career in this profession?
Build a portfolio and accept criticism. The most important thing to know about looking for a career in an art-related field is to have a strong portfolio. Take on freelance projects or create some “concept projects” to get you started. Keep everything you do. You’ll find that some of your best pieces are concepts you’ve done that will never see the light of day. Get a website designed to feature your work and promote yourself. Read blogs, keep up on design trends, colors, etc. Connect with other designers, share ideas, get feedback and look at critiques as helpful.
Check out Tracy’s Website to see some of her work!
