#WinningWednesday: Do Guilds Help Designers?

“The day you compromise your vision for the sake of the client’s happiness is the day your vision’s color palette becomes gray scale.” – Victor Alonso

Victor Alonso Boshuizen

Website | Twitter | Behance

Victor is extremely active in the local design community and is a member of the Philadelphia chapter of AIGA since 2007 and the ALPFA Philadelphia chapter since 2011. He went to the Art Institute of Chicago on merit scholarship and won several ‘Best of Quarter’ awards and he currently attends the Art Institute of Philadelphia. He’s fluent in two languages and conversational in three others. He’s a well-rounded man!

He’s the CEO of his own design company, and works as a member of several design guilds in the surrounding Philadelphia area. Has this helped him improve? Victor believes it has guided his career in the most successful direction.

Build your reputation early in your career

“My first experience as a graphic designer came about in eighth grade when I designed the word “vittorpia” to describe myself to the online world – combining my name with the word ‘utopia’. With the advent of social media I have taken the name “vittorpia” to serve as a portable ‘human connection’ with potential clients.”

Victor is an active member of the local design community and it has taken years of self-study and active learning to reach a point where he feels comfortable to build effective client to designer relationships. He’s worked on low budget projects to higher paying ones in order to create the best possible portfolio to attract new clients. He understands the discipline required to create brilliant designs and faces the challenges of breaking into the industry head on to find the best solutions.

Every designer reaches success differently, but perhaps the tips that Victor wanted to share will help you on your own journey!

1) Join organizations

“Join organizations like the AIGA and Graphic Artists Guild while at school. Not only you will save money, but you’ll start building tenure. Those names represent a seal of approval in the industry.”

2) Create an online presence

“Have a consistent online presence across all platforms you use of websites to social media. Chances are clients will engage with you on one single platform and expand their search from there; consistency is the visual representation of professionalism and maturity.”

 3) Give credit where it’s due!

“Always abide by the rules of intellectual property and trademark. If you must borrow a photograph make sure to add a footnote to your project, giving credit to the original author. You will be glad when people, especially in corporate, appreciate the attention to liabilities are considered.”

4) Protect your designs

“Never allow a client to view an in-progress project through your computer’s screen or book of notes. This rule is sacrosanct to protect your own intellectual property and integrity as designer.”

5) Make your portfolio a top priority

“Always give priority to any opportunity to build your portfolio even if it’s for a project you won’t receive financial compensation. At the end of the day, richer selections of samples will the open door to better opportunities.”

6) Set realistic deadlines

“Don’t fall in the usual trap of over committing and under-delivering a client’s project. Your best friend is word of mouth. It is best to start modestly and grow into future projects organically than missing a deadline.”

7) Research is your best friend

“Arm yourself with research into those theories you master and always be prepared to defend your vision against any challenge is presented on the table.”

Victor is strict with himself and that strictness to his craft has lead him to making successful network connections and build a strong career. His years of working in the design industry had given him insight and his connection to AIGA and other organizations helped strengthen his existing skills and guide him to what he needs to do to improve.

Are you part of AIGA or any artistic guild? Has it taught you anything new about design and the industry?

All images: https://www.behance.net/vittorpia