Design graduates in 2023 and 2024 will face a competitive market. Product, graphic, UI / UX, 3D, interior and web designers across the globe will compete for the best jobs available in their town, city, region and even worldwide. Successfully breaking into the job market is a daunting and difficult process for many designers. It takes time, patience and skill to progress to the first stage of your career.
I recently worked with students at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dún Laoghaire in Dublin on a module called Business and Entrepreneurship. Whilst I examined various aspects of business, two key discussions focused on the difference between education and industry and the fact that many job vacancies require at least 2 years of industrial experience. This article contains some of the advice given to the students:
What are the key differences between education and industry?
Education provides knowledge and skills across a broad range of design related topics. All project work focuses upon improving personal knowledge and skill. In industry the software, working environment and skills required may vary, though the underlying principles are likely to remain familiar – therefore a degree of adjustment is necessary. Projects in an industrial setting focus upon client requirements and maintaining a commercial advantage over competitors in the field. Essentially, whilst education enables you to become familiar with working practices and creative design as a process, employers usually expect graduates to undertake a period of training to bring them up to speed with their own working methods. This often involves reorientation from individualism to a collectivist (in the artistic sense of the word) approach ensuring that graduates understand their responsibilities to others and function as part of a team.
Examples
- Focus upon product and process excellence rather than your own agenda or portfolio
- Additional training in safety , legal and professional standards
- Greater responsibility in the provision of information, time management and agile behaviours in terms of adapting quickly in a fast paced environment
Recommendations
As a student it is possible to indulge in your own personal expressions of creativity and design to a significant extent. However, in industry it is important to harness these creative skills whilst tempering the temptation to indulge, therefore focusing upon responsibilities to your colleagues and client. Remaining aware of the key difference between education and industry will assist you in your application and interview process in that you:
- Remain focused on company goals rather than your own
- Present work in a manner that represents benefit to the end user and meets company standards
- Understand that you will likely be required to undertake additional training during the first few months of your work
- Begin a transformation to align with company values and objectives
Job adverts specify at least 2 years experience. What do I do?
It is difficult to compete with job candidates with industrial experience. However, there are several activities that may help you make that first step:
- Ensure you take any opportunity for industrial placement during higher education as this is valid industrial experience in the eyes of a potential employer
- Make sure that all projects to be featured in your portfolio are to the highest standard to provide you with the best chance of standing out against the crowd
- Build up a portfolio of your own personal projects to express a deeper interest in certain aspects of design and reflect your ambitions
- Undertake additional courses related to your subject area to improve skills and knowledge (and will likely increase the number of portfolio options available)
- Create a CV that stands out from the crowd and demonstrates your design skills at the first point of contact with potential employers
- Apply for a variety of jobs within your grasp (and desired direction) whilst treating interviews as a learning experience to understand the hiring process (ie questions, expectations, reactions)
In summary, it is important to note that an impressive portfolio, CV and collection of personal projects reflecting your professional goals may prove a successful formula over those with the required industrial experience but less impressive supporting material.
