Are You Employable?
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- Anees0
hmmmm: Agencies
Earn less, work harder and have Pepsi on your CV
- jamble0
The article does verge on the pointing out the obvious but sometimes that's what's needed.
I guess the big problem with college/university degrees is that while they can teach you some foundation stuff, the industry changes so quickly it's difficult for any curriculum to keep pace with it and people can rightly feel they're well behind the curve if they're not doing their own work.
I always thought it should be a more hands on type of course where students spend all their time working direct for real life clients and simply having lecturers there to monitor QA and pass on advice. Christ knows how they'd stop companies ripping off students and paying peanuts for their work but at least it would give a more reallistic view of how the industry works and how to manage projects.
- ninjasavant0
i was about 5.5 years ago. been ridin the wave ever since.
- SoulFly0
I did go to college for design, BUT -all those things, you can only learn after you work for a company and you get to take part in meetings, one-on-one with a few clients, one-on-one with your art director, one-on-one with your fellow designers.... that's the ONLY way to learn. Schools cannot teach you those things, no matter what they change.
I bet that some kid is gonna read that article, do everything exactly, prepare themselves to be "employable" this person will ace their resume and interview, and guess what? I bet this kid will be the first one to cry like a little baby after their boss trash the crap out of their first design project - who in here never saw a designer who thought to be a "know-it-all" "drama-queen from fancy design school" to leave someone's office crying? for real?
Here's an advice for students coming from Benjamin Franklyn:
"Experience teaches slowly, and at the cost of mistakes"
- Llyod0
if I went to school for design I would've ended up being a plumber
- slappy0
College is for smoking, playing hacky sack, experimentation and stuffing as much design in front of your face as possible. I was 21 when I graduated and was way too distracted to hone my corporate communication and establish my professional responsibilities.
Things that did help me find a place are attributes like being willing to take direction, not being too precious about my work and trying get past obvious solutions.
- rocknonstop0
This is a great list of qualifications for a Creative Director. Unfortunately I know very few CD's that could check off all the boxes on this list.
For someone coming out of school "Good Attitude" would be at the top of my list. After all I can teach someone to design, but I can't teach someone to not be a jerk. There's a lot to be said for someone you like being around all day vs. someone you can't stand being around all day.
- roundabout0
If you expect all them skills from a junior web designer fresh out of collage, you are living in a bloody dream world.
- blaw0
In my opinion, you could change the title to be "How To Be A Successful Designer".
In fact, if you take out the design profession specific notes and replace them with that specific to a lot of other industries, it works out the same. Much of that falls under the broad category of "you spend a lot of your life at work; feel free to give a shit about it."
- Llyod0
I can't believe the trolls stayed away from this. this is perfect bait
- Llyod0
I've been fired multiple times, once for insubordination, couple times for fucking shit up
- tank020
it was an interesting read
altough i don't agree on all parts.
- dskz0
very.
- Llyod0
no.
- cramdesign0
nice article. thanks for posting.
- Iggyboo0
You know what I think..
IT is not whether or not us designers are employable albeit their are a ton of hacks in our field. It is that we as designers are taken advantage of so early in our careers and pretty much become pretty burnt out by the whole thing. I think Andy's article is pretty much talking about business skills and not so much how to tolerate the bull shit we have to put up with in order to do great work. here's a beer for you out there struggling... beginners. To do great work you gotta find meaning in it for you that's the only key. And protect that meaning don't be handing it over to some clown vp who will get their lousy 15% bonus. Be protective and selfish of that. To do great work is to actually enjoy life and not just design.
- wordsinyourmouth0
in reality a lot of this list is about being professional and applies to a lot of careers. i disagree with a few of the interaction specific knowledge... but I thrive as a flash & motion designer