10 Lessons I Have Learnt as a Young Designer
As someone who comes from a family background where education is highly valued, I was destined to continue studying after graduating from high school. Although I never knew the proper name for what I wanted to do, I was one of the lucky few who actually knew what I wanted to do when I left school.
Once at university, I started feeling like there was quite a large gap between study and industry, leading me to begin designing part-time during my studies. I even completed a few short unpaid internships; simply to gain any experience I could, and meet anyone who would shake my hand. After three gruelling years I graduated from university, where I had my portfolio, my eager brain bursting with creativity, and my highly positive spirit. I went gung-ho into the world yelling, “Industry, I’m ready!” Yet even so with everything I had under my belt, when I landed my first full-time design job I really had no idea how different university life would be from life in the design industry (aka “the real world”).
Now, as a young design professional nearing the end of my fifth year in the design industry, it would be an understatement to say my personal and professional growth and development during the early stages of my career was astronomical. I’ve met and worked with a wide variety of people, ranging from clients to other designers, managers, and industry professionals.
…it would be an understatement to say my personal and professional
growth and development during the early stages of my career was astronomical.
Inspired by the changes that were happening around me, I found myself willing somebody had been able to give me this kind of insight into the industry while I was studying. In an effort to give back to the industry that has given so much to me, I decided to take note of the significant lessons I learnt and find a medium to share these with the world. You can find these lessons on my tumblr, ‘Lessons of a Young Designer’, but I’d also like to take the opportunity to delve further into some of these.
1. Learn not to take criticism personally.
When you’re first starting out as a creative, it does take a while to realise the criticism you are receiving is not a personal vendetta against you; especially when we position ourselves in such a subjective industry like graphic design. Your Creative Director is not saying you are a bad designer, nor are they even saying this piece of work is terrible (sometimes they might be, but they still don’t mean it personally!). The situation is often as simple as you may have misunderstood the brief and not delivered what the Creative Director is looking for. Chin up; it’s not all bad. Listen carefully to the feedback and try, try again.
2. Your degree and portfolio might earn you an interview. Your attitude will earn you a career.
I really cannot stress this point enough. I have met many talented people who had poor attitudes and terrible work ethics, and it did not matter whether they were the next Jessica Hische of the lettering world. With a negative attitude nobody would want to work with them again. Enough said.
3. Learn to do the small things well.
The amazing packaging design that you may have implemented will certainly knock the socks off of some people. But surprisingly, what will equally impress the people you work closely with (including your Creative Director who will most likely be your reference in the future) is your work ethic. Master correctly setting up files so it’s easy for others to jump in and out if need be, and learn to work with an efficient file organisation system (not some elaborate code only you can crack). Not only will this make everyone’s life easier, but it will also give you an exceptional professional edge for the longevity of your career.
…surprisingly, what will equally impress the people you
work closely with…is your work ethic.
4. Listen to your Creative Director (or Manager, or Supervisor, or Mentor).
When I was at university every brief was fresh and exciting because I was not only the Creative Director, but the client too. It’s easy to fall into a pattern where you are designing for yourself essentially. Unfortunately, this is not at all how the real world of design works, and when you first step out into the industry it will take a while to adjust to working alongside someone who thinks and communicates differently to you. Take comfort in knowing your Creative Director (often) has your best interests in mind and only wants you to develop, progress and grow.
…when you first step out into the industry it will take a while to adjust to working alongside someone who thinks and communicates differently to you.
And remember, if you’re a graduate designer, you are often starting at the bottom of the food chain. You don’t have to be best friends, but learning to take feedback on board, even when you don’t agree with it, and trying to find the compromise is a skill which will help you get further in your career.
5. A portfolio should be all killer, no filler.
A portfolio filled with five mind-blowing projects will undoubtedly speak volumes of you as a design professional. A portfolio filled with five amazing projects and five mediocre projects simply does not have the same impact.
The interviewing and recruitment process is really tough, and often, the decision will come down to one tiny detail — such as a blurry image, a typo, or the fact that the Creative Director loved every single one of your projects, instead of only liking a few. Your portfolio is your representation as a designer; make it count.
6. Whilst studying, do as much work experience as possible.
Not only is the experience invaluable; you will learn so much in such a short period of time. You will have the opportunity to meet amazingly interesting personalities, and you will get a true insight into the industry you are about to head into. In addition to all this, you will make key contacts and references in the industry and you will have some fantastic experience on your resume, both of which will do wonders for your career and give you a much needed head start when you are trying to squeeze your foot into the door as a beginner.
Ensure you are constantly learning and growing…
Be careful with who you intern for though, as unfortunately it can be common practice to exploit naive students under the guise of “fantastic exposure” or “amazing experience”. Ensure you are constantly learning and growing, and the professional relationship is one which doesn’t take advantage of you.
7. Breathe deeply, and keep working hard.
As a beginner there will be moments of self-doubt. There will likely be moments when you just don’t know whether you have got what it takes. Believe me, every one goes through this. Just breathe deeply, keep working hard and trust that you will progress through it.
8. It is guaranteed that you will make mistakes. It is imperative that you learn from them.
Everybody makes mistakes. We are all human after all. Making mistakes is perfectly fine. Not learning from each mistake is simply not okay. When you do make mistakes, avoid the terrible habit of beating yourself up about them. Take a moment to reflect on what went wrong, discuss and realise what you could have done differently, and make that change in the future. You’ve got to keep moving forward.
9. Make design decisions with purpose. Explain this purpose well.
As a designer it is essential you understand the importance of clear and concise communication with those around you (that is, after all, what we do for a living). Sure, your piece may look great visually, but we all know there is more to it than that. You’ve got to make design decisions with purpose and be able to back yourself up, explaining exactly why you made those decisions. The ability to explain why you’ve created the piece the way you have will allow your client to understand why the piece will work for them.
You’ve got to make design decisions with purpose and be able to back yourself up…
10. Learn from everyone around you.
I firmly believe every single person that you come across in both your personal and professional lives will teach you something. It may be how to use the fax machine that keeps breaking down, how to use a program you are not entirely familiar with, or even simply how to conduct yourself in meetings with abrasive personalities. One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to be a sponge and absorb everything around you; you never know when it may come in handy in the future.
Whatever it is you may have taken away from these lessons; be it faith in the future, insight into the industry, or even just a giggle, I sincerely hope all the young designers out there stick with their talents and pursue their dreams. Have faith that everyone feels the same way at some point in their careers, and believe everything will all work out in the end. And if you have any more lessons you’d like to add, please share them below, or (if you’re interested) head over to my tumblr to view more lessons of a young designer!
Resources:
Swiss Miss. 10 Lessons for Young Designers: http://www.swiss-miss.com/2011/02/10-lessons-for-young-designers.html>
Young Designer’s Guide: http://www.youngdesignersguide.com/
Knoed. Advice to Young Designers: http://www.knoed.com/thewindowseat/advice-to-young-designers/
Lessons of a Young Designer: http://jessmatthewsdesign.tumblr.com/
