How do I get experience in a design studio?

I've been working as a freelance designer for the past 2 years and have come to the decision that I need to go back to full time employment. My problem is that I have worked for record labels for 6 years and feel i'm being pigeon holed when applying for jobs and don't seem to get much response from Design agencies. I'm a good all rounder and just want the chance to work in a design studio and learn from others. Working on things other than Cd covers!! I'd really like an artworker job to begin with so that I could work my way up from the bottom but as i've been designing for 6 years i'm being ignored for artworker positions.





Any advice (or a job!) would be much appreciated!

How do I get experience in a design studio?
You need to have a broader-based portfolio, and the question is how do you get that?





Here are several ways to do that:





--Do work, for free, for friends who may have a small business connection.





--Do work for an imaginary client, just to show what you can do.





--Be bold, and innovative, and work in a variety of areas: everything from black-and-white newspaper ads, brochures, letterhead design (with card and envelope), billboards, logos, etc.





There's a great book called The Big Book of Design Ideas (and its sequel, The New Big Book of Design Ideas) that has a lot of great work that can stimulate your imagination. Both are by David E. Carter. You don't need to buy them new. You can find them used very cheaply at www.abebooks.com or www.addall.com.





Once you have a portfolio with a variety of work, then approach design studio in your area. Be forthright about your 6-year history working in the record industry, and let them know you did the new work (for free) just to show your potential. They will be impressed by your taking that step in order to improve yourself.





Good luck.