lookwhatic

Letter to a Design Student

Dear Student,

I’ve been out of school for a little over 6 months now and still haven’t adjusted to the real world. Don’t get me wrong, I love doing what I do, but there are challenges and mental barriers to cross when transitioning from a student to a full-time worker. Here are some revelations I have encountered during the last few months that might be helpful in your transition:

Get accustomed to working 8-5. The staying up past 3 a.m. nights—while chowing down on Ramen noodles and working on designs—are slowly coming to an end. It’s difficult knowing that you will be stuck in an office all day, but the thought of doing what you love should be incentive enough to keep on truckin’.

Realize that every project won’t be exciting or portfolio worthy. Most of the projects I worked on in college were fun to brainstorm and develop. Now, a lot of my work consists of small jobs that require fast turn around. As someone who frequents portfolio sites and blogs often, I developed a false impression that my work would constantly be as fun and creative as the work on those sites. Every now and then, a project will come along that inspires you and re-ignites your passion, so fear not.

Learn to communicate the value of your skill-set. When you associate with other art students constantly, you often forget that others don’t perceive the value of design similarly. Learn to communicate the meaning behind your work and how it will benefit your employer. Organizations like AIGA have numerous resources to help designers better communicate their value in the marketplace. 

You’re just starting your educational journey. College is not the end of your education, it’s the beginning. The day you stop learning is the day you stagnate and loose your value. Every week, stay abreast of what’s going on with new technologies and design trends. Use websites like Lynda.com to keep your knowledge fresh.

Every job experience is different. These are just a few things I have realized working as an in-house designer that might help you. Keep pushing the scope of your creativity. Good luck!