mikelarter

Can you guys share your thoughts and experiences on how a graduate web designer with no commercial experience can get new customers/clients/free work experience initially to build a portfolio. Is it best for me to work locally or nationally as our industry is so massively competitive? Can anyone in this forum give me some paid design work experience to get my portfolio going? I have tried sounding out New Media Recruitment Agencies in London but they are only interested in hiring senior (heavyweight) designers (3+ years commercial experience only) and require a relevant commercial CV, digital work samples and my own portfolio website at the very least......so this is NOT a route I can take. Does anyone know any Recruitment Agencies that offer contract/permanent work for newbie designers, or does anyone know if I can gain 'subcontracting' work working for other web designers working from home - I guess clients/agencies/other web designers may be sceptical to freelancers working from home 'on contract'. Best Wishes Mike Larter Horsham, West Sussex

I am looking to make some good friends, associates and get advice from this cool looking forum. I am a graduate in Web Design (ACITP Accredited Level 3) and I have studied in using Dreamweaver Mx2004, CSS, HTML, basic Javascript, ASP and PHP and Flash and used Fireworks too. ......my skills need updating now If I want to get some Freelance Design experience and start developing a portfolio (I would need to create a blog or website to display my technical abilities) what are the BEST website development tools in use today? e.g Should I buy Dreamweaver CS3 or Adobe CS3 or are they the same - should I wait perhaps for Adobe CS4? As software gets upgraded every 2 years or so I am a slow learner and by the time I master something the technology is out of date!! Is it best to buy OEM software at a discount for personal use OR should I pay massive costs of buying one from Adobe? I'm looking for the cheapest options open to me as I'm guessing some of you guys are in the same boat!! Best Wishes Mike Larter Horsham, West Sussex