This reading was, of course, another great one. It helped put a lot of things into perspective for me. Firstly, something I hate to admit but find myself recognizing: I enjoy being in school because I can use being a “student” as a crutch to avoid spreading my wings and venturing into the design world. I've always been nervous about no longer being seen as a student but as a seasoned designer. Fortunately, the learning never ends! As Adrian Shaughnessy put it, “They don’t tell you this in design school, but the reason you go to school is to learn how to learn… In my experience, a graduate fresh from school takes between six to eighteen months to become a contributing member of a studio – and that is with careful shepherding and plenty of attention.” So, I guess the trick is to never lose the mindset of a student but to continue with the confidence of a designer.
Next, there are pros and cons to every job, and even in a con situation, there are still many things that you can learn and take with you to the next experience. The great thing about being a designer is that, no matter what we do in design, we are contributing, no matter how small or big. So, find what works best for you in the moment. It’s okay if you have to take a less creative path to finish paying off school loans, but hey, you’re paying off the loans! If you’re paying attention, growing, and learning, there will always be opportunities to switch it up in the future.
Then comes my favorite (not) and always daunting part: interviews. Shaughnessy says there are no bad interviews. Again, if you approach it as a learning experience, as a chance for you to learn something that will help you next time, the easier they will become. It also means it’s never a waste of time to show your portfolio. If you don’t click at one place, you never know, they might refer you to someone else. Sometimes it’s not just about talent but about the personality fit.
