James McLearie: Navigating creative career paths
INTRODUCTION
An LCC Graphic Design graduate, James spent a number of years working for the likes of Burberry, Alexander Wang and White Cube, before joining the ranks at Represent in early 2019.
He now nurtures two of our most important groups of candidates at Represent Recruitment; the juniors, across freelance and full-time, and mid-weights looking for permanent roles.
His endless energy, curious nature, and a keen eye for design make him tailor-made to guide designers in those all-important first career steps.
This interview took place over video call in November 2020.
What’s the funniest email you’ve ever received from a job hunter and did it work?
I've had some wacky ones in my time... The ones that I tend to find the strangest are when people write HUGE emails. Detailing their life stories, all character attributes and every single detail of their career so far.
Simpler the better, when it comes to introduction emails.
It's always nice to receive some physical tangible design, maybe a cool little zine or even a postcard. They always stick in my mind.
Your career has taken many different paths, starting in design and fashion and more recently creative recruitment. How did you know when it was right to move on from a role?
First I go through the process of taking stock of what's been achieved in the current role. Asking myself simple questions like:
Am I happy?
Is the work fulfilling?
Do I feel excited by the future?
Is there an opportunity to learn and improve?
I’m a firm believer in trying/experiencing - because if you don't how will you ever grow. There's also always an element of gut-instinct too. I know when something feels right or wrong, often this ends up being a catalyst for change.
With the current scarcity of job opportunities, how can young creatives be proactive or think out-of-the-box to find work beyond jobs boards?
Now more than ever I feel that nailing your personal brand is key. By personal brand I mean it’s how you present yourself as a designer/creative to the world.
Having a consistent aesthetic and feeling across portfolio, website and social. To something as simple as having a custom email footer using the same font/colours or if you have a website making sure the favicon is your logo or wordmark.
Engaging with the community is more important than ever. This could be something as simple as commenting on a favourite studio's new project on Instagram. Tuning into an online talk being held by a design platform. Even emailing a designer directly and asking for a portfolio review or feedback on a new personal project.
Anything that engages and creates dialogue will only help you get noticed and build relationships.
“Now more than ever I feel that nailing your personal brand is key.”
In your opinion, what are the benefits of young creatives going through companies such as Represent as opposed to jobs boards or cold emails?
Finding a job can be tricky, and it requires a few different approaches. Jobs boards and cold emails/calls are super valid ways to approach the jobs market. Agents /recruiters are another string to your bow when looking for a new role.
All recruitment companies offer something different. From huge recruitment agencies working across multiple industries to one-man bands with a specialised niche. It's about finding the one that will have the network/jobs that you want to tap into.
At Represent we act as a sounding board for portfolios, knowledge on the state of the jobs market and provide informed career advice. In terms of getting people a job, we give a tailored introduction to companies “skipping the queue” so to speak and put your work directly in front of the right person.
As a recruiter specifically for junior and mid-weight design positions, how would you define the differences between these levels?
I will say that every studio/company has different perceptions and expectations of what makes a mid or a junior designer. One company's junior is another’s mid. It's highly subjective. There isn't an industry-standard format and which can often mean a lot of grey area.
The main difference is usually down to experience, this can be measured in time spent in a role. Or the amount of responsibility and exposure to work within their career so far. Another point to consider is emotional intelligence and where work fits into a person's wider life.
Junior designers generally need some more structure and guidance within their role and may well be supporting a wider team. As they build experience and confidence they will start to take more ownership of projects and need less support.
Eventually becoming a mid-weight, where they will be working autonomously setting their own briefs and deadlines or even leading a team.
What’s the magic formula for a great portfolio?
On average good portfolios that I see are:
40 - 60 slides, featuring 5 - 7 projects. Each project tells a story - start, middle and end. Big images speak volume! Don’t cram loads of images onto one page the clearer they are the better. The portfolio should communicate what you want to be/do as much as being a document of past work.
What are some of the most common mistakes you see in people’s portfolios?
Spelling mistakes!
Cramped images
Bad photos of work
Too much text - 6 sentences MAX
What is the biggest misconception you think grads fresh out of uni come with, to the world of work?
Nothing is given to you on a plate, you have to work at landing that first job.
The more time and effort you put into the search and networking the greater the reward.
Don't be frustrated if you don't get responses straight away - It's a marathon, not a sprint.
“Nothing is given to you on a plate, you have to work at landing that first job.”
FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album - Recommended reading from James
“Just ask, what’s the worst that can happen?” seems to be a mantra of yours. What are the best things any creative can ‘just ask’ for?
The number one thing to ‘just ask’ for is help.
A very simple idea, but one that I feel isn’t talked about enough is the ability to ask for support or help when you need it. This could be at work when you’re unsure about the best way to go about a technical task or not understanding a new brief the first time around. It's always quicker and easier to learn from someone else then trying to figure it out yourself (which is often the long way round).
It could be when hunting for a job, asking for help from a more senior designer in getting your portfolio up to scratch or asking a friend to help proofread your CV.
It could also mean asking for help when you're struggling with your mental health or factors outside of work. There’s a solution to most problems and the best way to find it is to work together.
Recommended reading
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
The Outsider by Albert Camus
FAC 461 Factory Records: The Complete Graphic Album
Recommended listening
The Guardian's Long Reads (Podcast)
In Our Time - BBC Radio 4 (Podcast)
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey (Audiobook)
Recommended follow
Follow Represent
Website / Instagram / Twitter / LinkedIn
If you’d like to reach out to James, drop him an email on: james@represent.uk.com
