Graduating into the Real World
When studying graphic design, should part of a university’s role be to prepare you, the student, for the “real world” industry, or should university just be an outlet for your creative experimentation, whilst you still have the chance to reside in its liberal environs?
Working within the industry, and looking at students and their degree shows, it appears to me that a lot of these students have no sense of reality within their work.
Looking at design in its most basic form, it’s purpose, in my opinion, is to communicate a message. Yet when visiting some of these degree or award shows, although the work may be visually attractive, the message is often not visible – what are these designs trying to say? The foremost important aspect of design in the working world is to convey your client’s message successfully – be it if they are selling trainers, showcasing their services or campaigning against climate change. If your design does not portray this message to the target audience, is your design working?
I don’t mean to say that design can’t simply be done for the sake of designing – design can be created just for attraction’s sake – but if graduates are leaving university without examples of work or skills that show that they can portray a message successfully through design – why would potential employers trust that these graduates can produce effective work for their clients?
Speaking from experience, university was an amazing opportunity to get the creative juices flowing, to experiment freely and grasp some truly exciting projects and concepts (as well as enjoying all of the social aspects!). But does it really teach you the purpose and practice of “good” design – the importance of communicating the message? Does it prepare you how to work within the industry – that deadlines are short and tight, that the client is always right (even when they are wrong), that you must be able to effectively work as part of a team, that you are inexperienced, albeit fresh-faced, and that you have a lot more to learn than you think?
Beginning to work within the design industry is an exciting and daunting prospect – prepare yourself by being responsible for your own learning, and although no one can fully prepare you for what happens, universities could perhaps lend a hand by offering more substantial theoretical and practical advice to students earlier in their studies.
What do you think?
Becky.
Related interesting articles:
Design Skills to Pay the Bills - Computer Arts Magazine
What is it like to be a recently qualified designer? Graphic Design Blog
Diplomacy in Design - Computer Arts Magazine
