Design School vs Working
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- rocknonstop
I'm going to start teaching a business class for graduating designers. What are the most important things for students to know as they transition into the pros?
- jimbojones0
work faster.
- moveinspace0
typography.
- Bam0
That they'll have to forget everything they know. Playtime is over.
- brandelec0
money up front
- digdre0
do it like me, spent all your time on qbn
- ukit0
Learn to be realistic about a client's needs. It's not all about you and your designs.
- Bam0
THE most important thing i had to learn was working directly for a client. Learning to adapt to, anticipate, understand the client and still being creative.
- neue75_bold0
the rest of their life as they know it, is over...
- I think that's how I'm going to start the first class.rocknonstop
- and then just walk away...neue75_bold
- while shaking your head and muttering to yourself...neue75_bold
- haha, these are great.radish
- play0
tell them to turn back now while there is still a chance
- Humanhand0
To not be afraid of a non payed internship. The best hands on experience is an internship and to learn the ropes before becoming a star.
- The way the economy looks right now this may be their best bet.rocknonstop
- 6 years ago it was the only start.Humanhand
- and becoming a "star" is not exactly what it's cracked up to be.rocknonstop
- there is no "star" on this profession. you can however become "some dude that a few designers know about"Meeklo
- rocknonstop0
In my case the biggest transition was that school was all about process, process, process, and the job was all about results, results, results.
- you didn't see that one coming?neue75_bold
- At the time I only knew how to be a student.rocknonstop
- rluna0
Learn/practice how to present your ideas. Learn to listen. Learn how to schedule projects and very important, learn when you need to have patience and when to be pro-active.
- VectorMasked0
Handout brochures, pamphlets and informationatl kits for other careers and tell them design is not what they think it is.
or... Some young people want to think that being a designer is a little like being a rockstar. This is total bullshit. Tell them how frustrating it is.
or... tell them to enjoy and have as much fun as they can as students coz in the real world it's all about politics, guidelines and personal tastes from clients.
- dan53820
Make sure they all can work across multiple programs and KNOW how they interact with each other and improve on work flow.
- ESPtype0
expore different mediums... get a well rounded portfolio
- adamm0
they need to know production, design is great, but wont do shit if the printer has to spend 8 hours on prepping shitty files.
- dontsueme0
Don't trust anyone.
- PonyBoy0
use a 'sip size' dixie cup when begging... it looks like you're not asking for much...
... but seriously - pretty much what everyone's already said... plus- teach them the value of protecting themselves and their intellectual property - contracts, learning to spot 'bad' clients, knowing when to say 'no'... and most importantly... the customer is NOT always right... especially when intellectual property is involved.
Another thing I can think of - value your sources / network / bridges... burn them at a very last resort. When stricken with the choice between 'the client' and 'your source' (perhaps another artist / developer you outsource to)... stop and verify the value of the client before killing the connection w/your source (after all... 'we' often get work from other people in our field - if you become known as 'the dick' in your field... don't expect much work)...
- akrokdesign0
ask if needed, there is no dumb questions.
- Oh, there are plenty of dumb questions.harlequino
- meaning...
if you don't know or aren't sure. ask! don't be afraid.akrokdesign