Should I take examples in when appling for job? What is Quark?

Question

I'm going to go to our local small town newspaper and apply for a job that they had listed in their paper.They say they would like applicants to know Quark and Photoshop. Though it isn't required, and that creativity and design ability are a plus.

I do not have any work experience at all in this area. But I have Photoshop that I use at home ( I was planning on learning it to do photo restoration). And people tell me I am very creative. My question is - should I take in a couple of examples of what I have done on Photoshop? I have some pictures where I overlayed my kids photos over a mountain stream and I added text with my greeting card program.

And do you know what Quark is?

Sorry I asked this twice, but I think I should have put this under Journalism.

Answer 1

Quark is a page layout program that many use to design newspapers, newsletters, books, and brochures.
http://www.quark.com

Photoshop is made by Adobe (http://www.adobe.com), who has a product that rivals Quark, called "Adobe InDesign." Knowledge in Quark or InDesign will be helpful.

You are basically applying for a production artist job, where you touch up photos (color correct, define color modes, resolution, etc) in Photoshop and import those photos from Quark. Though experience in these applications aren't required, it will certainly give you an edge over someone else. There would be less training on the company's part.

If you do get the job, a skill you will definitely need is typography -- knowing how to layout headlines, body copy, sub heads, captions. What point size, what style, serif vs. sans serif, etc. will be very valuable in this job.

Check out this typography book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0823004511/102-6352020-2722527?v=glance&n=283155

My guess is that the very creative things you do at home will not be what you are doing for this job. It will be less expressive than what you are used to.

For your portfolio:
1) You can get a cheap portfolio at any art store, ask for something in the $20 and under range, at about 11x17 (or larger).
2) have 7-10 pieces
3) the pieces you put in your portfolio should demonstrate the skills you will need for the job. Like the beforementioned color correction, clipping, etc. It would be great if you could get your hands on Quark somehow, maybe take a workshop at your local community college, or ask a friend...
4) Your pieces when you print them out should be nice prints. Highest quality on your inkjet, on some nice paper (see Staples or Office Max for Epson Matte Heavyweight or Photo quality. HP or Kodak works too.)


Good luck!

Answer 2

Quark is a publishing programme and yes you should take samples of your work...like a portfolio

Quark is not the easiest progtramme to learn but with time and patients you can get it.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Quark is a program used to layout a page of stories, images or graphics. Good luck

Answer 4

By all means take some samples of your work.
Quark is a kind of German creamcheese, but I guess that is not the kind of quark they are looking for, but if the interviewer happens to be Jewish, you might mention it anyway, and maybe score some points with him for originality.

Answer 5

Yes take them with you.