Karl Green

How did you start to develop your style & do you look for clients that match that or take what work is offered?

I would say that my design style has over the years become more about commercial success and meeting business objectives. I suppose if you get noticed for designing something with a good user experience then similar work should follow.

How do you recommend young designers get noticed?
Dribbble, Behance, Social Networks, Tumblr - just make sure you contribute to the community in a positive manor.

Is there anything you think students don’t learn at uni which is important at industry?

I think that the industry is moving forwards at such a high pace that Uni’s should look to be at the cutting edge of online learning, www.teamtreehouse.com is an excellent example of training that is ‘getting a job’ focussed.

Realistically how long do you look at a students portfolio when they are sent in?
I suppose initial impact is very important, your first piece of work should grab my attention

What’s the best way to contact an agency when looking for a job?

I believe that social networks offer a great way to get yourself noticed, stroke a few egos, retweet a few tweets you’ll soon get on somebodies radar.

What design websites do you check daily?
smashing magazine

How do you build your client list when freelancing?
Networking, doing a good job with word of mouth recommendations is the best way to get new clients.

Are there many opportunities to progress quickly? And is this a good way to do it or is it a slow process getting to the ‘top’?
I’m a firm believer in working hard and taking opportunities by the horns when them come your way. The internet makes it so much easier (and in some repeats harder as it’s now so much easier - that sounds a bit inception like to me but hopefully you get what i mean you need to stand out from the crowd) to get noticed. Be awesome in everything you do.

Do you make exactly what the client wants even if their idea and design suggestions are poor?

It is important to get a thorough brief, the correct information before you start, and also set the customers expectations before you start the job. Make sure they understand that they are paying you by the hour so the more info they can give you the quicker you can get something finished. Always specify 1 set of amendments and make sure the client is aware that your time is billable.

What stands out to you when you receive an email or cv?

kick ass design and good communication skills - war and peace length CV’s are a definite turn off. Show them what you can bring to the team. Be creative.

Critical Review - Newcastle 2-0 Liverpool

And so I go back to a saying that my friend always says when things go wrong: “mistakes were made”.

Just where did it go wrong for Liverpool FC though, just where?

I’ll just start with Mr. Andy Carroll. Terrible day, terrible game. That sums up his day. He did barely, if anything, on the ball that amounted to anything for the Reds and even dived/bundled over his own legs when there was a glorious chance for him to silence the critics (and the boos) after he rounded goalkeeper Tim Krul.

He just didn’t do himself any favours with that dive. I don’t fully blame him. But his start begs this question. Why did he not start against Wigan and QPR? Why put him in such a difficult game expecting him to turn in a performance. He came into Tyneside with no run of form, no confidence and no match fitness. Kenny Dalgish does indeed have a lot of answering to do.

Next up, Pepe Reina and James Perch. I know you guys will be interested to know my personal stand on this. The way I see it, it is no different to Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt to Materazzi in the World Cup final back in 2006. Perch was wrong to start with, but Reina should have never lost his cool. He has just created a mountain out of a molehill for the Reds.

A loss is easy (or at least it should, but we’ve struggled to in recent weeks) to recover from. His sending off won’t be. Doni has not been tried and tested in the Premier League. Furthermore, we will also have to trust in the Brazilian’s goalkeeping ability when Liverpool take on Everton for their FA Cup semi-final encounter come a few days.

Brilliant.

But I would also like to commend Alan Padrew for doing such a good job with Newcastle. The back 4 are rigid, Ben Arfa is splendid down the right wing and Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba both do a good job up front. They’ve done a good job with ‘Moneyball’, something that Liverpool FC have wanted to achieve through the years.

8 – Liverpool points from 12 games in 2012. The last time they picked up fewer points in a 12-match period was in 1954. Disaster.

What seems to be difficult at the moment is recovery. But what must be remembered is that we have two very key players in Daniel Agger and Lucas Leiva missing at the moment.

I have reached the point where I’m just waiting on next season