Going into the design industry, what advice would you give graduates?
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- create the work you wish to be commisioned for, if you have dream clients you wish to work with, create your dream brief for them, make something that excites you. always go back to any old projects and fix them up, theres never a time when you cant redevelop old ideas and bring them to life utilising anything new you learned over the years
- Keep your passion but be sure to not take anything personally. I don't like the phrase "grow a thick skin," because it's not how hard you get hit, it's how you learn to incorporate, or politely reject ciriticism.Also, stay as child-like as possible.
- Never stop learning and never give up.
- 1. Keep in touch with your university. Most universities have dedicated alumini services, which increasingly include online networks, together with a wide range of assistance, such as updates on funding opportunities for start-ups, award programmes, advisories, and more.2. If you're aiming to go into industry, don't be dis-heartened if you have to make many applications, and get few replies. Know that few leading designers had an easy start in the industry. Keep trying.3. Keep your folio up-to-date and continue to develop your design skills and knowledge. If you commit to advancing your skills and knowledge, and to improving your folio and CV over-time it will both enhance your chances of gaining the employment you seek and to help give you a sense that you are progressing no matter how slow the process of landing the job you seek.4. Think about entering graduate design awards. Look out for awards that have wide-scale industry support [i.e. good sponsors, notable jurors, etc.], that have coverage in the press, and that don't charge for entry. Most of the most credible awards don't charge graduates / students entry fees, as industry leaders understand that there are fairer ways to fund award programmes.5. Many design graduates have a winding not straight road to their first design job. It's more usual than not that graduates have to take jobs in non-design fields while seeking employment in the industry. The most important concern of any individual is keeping a roof over their head, their bills paid, and getting their debts down not up. If you find that you have to take employment outside the industry when getting started, keep in mind that you're not the first, there are insights you will learn from the role/s, and you'll likely meet interesting people along the way.6. Whether looking for a permanent or temporary role, i.e. freelance, register with one or more agencies. Take the advice of the agency staff on issues including your market rate, what perks you can and cannot expect, and how you can improve your CV/folio.7. Join the graduate programmes of design institutes and societies. The likes of the Chartered Society of Designers offer a range of services to graduates including folio reviews, access to advisories, mentoring and so on. By becoming a graduate member of professional institutes you will have a chance to both extend your skills and knowledge, and to make contacts that will help you progress your career.8. Keep perspective. Rome wasn't built in a day. You are just starting out, this is a particularly challenging time. Don't be hard on yourself. Ensure to reach out for help and support, moral and otherwise, as and when you need it. Many graduates are struggling at present, both in practical terms, i.e. paying the rent, and with their mental health. If you are finding something difficult, to quote another well-worn phrase, a problem shared is a problem halved.9. Know the limits of social media. Certainly, building a social media presence has its advantages - it can help get your work noticed, and it will give prospective employers an easy route to seeing your work. But, what matters most is the quality of your work. Don't become overly absorbed by social media, instead limiting the time you allocate to promoting your work online. Umpteen followers doesn't get a designer work. Having a great folio does.Good luck!
- If there was prep talk to answer your question it would be Mario Hugohttps://youtu.be/vMbJQI9dXSw
- Learn to cry very subtly like Emma Thompson in Love, Actually. You’ll be doing it a lot.
- @Fi Forrest Great advice thank you! I will look into doing this!
- @Luke Freeman On it haha!
- It’s a trap don’t do it, just run, run from it
- If your course didn't cover business studies I'd definitely top up with that. I've heard from many young designers and other creatives that don't seem to know even the basics about business! A free online course is fine (try FutureLearn) but nailing the basics early will give you the edge over the others out there. Being creative is fine, but an employer just wants to make money out of you! (That's their job!) Good luck!
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