ADVICE FOR STUDENTS & RECENT GRADS
Note: this article was originally posted on May 18, 2009 on a now-defunct site I organized called Creative Cohort. A small group of creative directors contributed with the goal of helping ourselves and others learn how to be better creative directors. I recently happened upon the archives and realized much of the content is still relevant, so I’m posting it here for posterity. Without further ado…
With the Spring semester coming to a close, I had the opportunity to participate in local portfolio reviews at both JCCC and KCAI. Each school invites local professionals to provide feedback on students’ work to help prepare them for taking their hearbreaking works of staggering genius into the rough-n-tumble Real World.
With a 2-year program, JCCC breaks the portfolios into 1st, 2nd and 3rd semesters (along with a peek at the Senior show at the end of the day). Three reviewers are assigned to each group (I reviewed 3rd semester work), and the students’ blood, sweat and tears are simply placed on tables around the classrooms with most of the work submitted on boards, as 3D objects (for packaging and books) and/or presented digitally (for web-based pieces). Each reviewer in a group individually evaluates a student’s work, providing scores on several predetermined categories along with space for constructive comments.
KCAI has a 4-year program and breaks the portfolios into Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior categories. They invite 6 — 10 reviewers to participate in student presentations. Each student stands in front of the group of professionals and faculty to present their work, describe their process and explain what they learned over the semester. Reviewers are encouraged to provide good, honest feedback which gives students the opportunity to either defend their ideas or accept advice for improving their work.
Regardless of the presentation style between the programs, I took notes on common mistakes and words of wisdom that floated through my head during each process, and several themes emerged. So without further ado and in no particular order, here’s my advice for design students and recent grads.
Spell check and proofread
At once the issue that’s most common and easiest to fix — poor spelling and grammar. Spell check is your friend. Your best friend. Your BFF. Use it. Spelling errors will shine like the brightest starts when a potential employer or client is reviewing your work, and there’s no excuse for having them in your portfolio.
Proofreading errors are a little harder to catch on your own, so it’s worth your time to have someone else read through your copy to catch the common mistakes. Not sure when to use “your” vs “you’re”, “their” vs “there” or the tricky “its” vs “it’s”? Make friends with a copywriter or someone in the English department and ask them to review your copy. Again, if you don’t catch it, your potential employer or client will, and your resume will be unceremoniously dumped in the trash.
Show your process
Whether it’s sketches, mood boards, color studies or something else, it’s worth showing. The secret to design is that it’s not so much about visual style as it is about an approach to solving problems. And just like math class, it’s important to show your work. I want to see how you approached a particular problem and be able to understand that you didn’t just poop out the first idea that floated through your head. You might be able to pull that off when you get a job (and you might have to), but for the sake of this — the first dance — you need to demonstrate that there are brains behind your beautiful work.
It’s OK to revise student work
Your portfolio needs to be the best expression if who you are as a designer. If a student project didn’t turn out quite the way you planned or you hear suggestions about how to improve a piece in your book, change it. It will give you an opportunity to talk about what you learned and how open your are to feedback. Not happy with a real-world project? Probably better to leave those as-is and keep them in the middle of your book.
Start Strong, End Strong
Which brings me to the next tip, start with one of the strongest pieces in your book and end with your strongest piece. In all likelihood, the last page of your book will be visible during a good chunk of your interview. If it features your strongest work, that’s what will stick with your interviewer. It’s tempting to show a progression of your work or show real-world pieces last — don’t. Just remember, start strong, end strong.
Post Your Work Online
No matter what discipline you’re pursuing, POST YOUR WORK ONLINE. Pursuing web design? Create a kick-ass site that highlights your best work, reflects your personality, and demonstrates that you’re trying to keep up with the fast-paced world of web. Pursuing print design or copywriting? Work with a web-savvy friend to digitize your work. If you’re lacking dot-comrades or web skills, create a portfolio on sites like CarbonMade.com, Coroflot.com or AIGA.org. Short on funds? Get creative and sign up for Tumblr or post your pieces on Flickr or Instagram… anything that makes it easy for those hiring to see your work and share it with others.
Leave-behinds
I saw a lot of clever tchotchkes at JCCC’s Senior Show that I would love to have on my desk, but wouldn’t you like a leave-behind that will keep working for you after the interview is over? It’s easy — show your work. I’m looking for something I can share with other folks in the office to get them excited about having you on the team. There are simple approaches and elaborate approaches… pick your poison. Whatever you pick, show your work.
Wrapping Up
There are other tips I could share, but I would love to hear what other CD’s look for. Any students reading? Let’s hear what you expect — what are your instructors telling you and how does it match up with what you’re actually experiencing in interviews?