Many people think I am crazy…
Setting aside a full year post-graduation for non-stop placements/internships (soon to be at it’s end), living in hostels and earning just enough money to keep the bank from sending out a team of attack dogs.
I may be crazy (although in a creative career is that really such a bad thing), yet I feel this year has been worth every minute. I have met and learned from a wide variety of talented people across a range of design disciplines, travelled across the UK (and beyond) and worked with some of the most highly respected agencies (and professionals) in the industry.
However this ‘animalistic drive’ had not passed by unnoticed. Shellsuit Zombies, Jonny Burch (great designer too) presented the opportunity to feature in a quirky interview style article he was writing for the ‘Creative Review graduate guide’ (released this week). The editorial aimed to offer a range of advice whilst discussing a variety of my adventures and lessons learned. From the title of the article, ‘Placement Man’, I am sure they think I am slightly crazy too!
Following my graduation I felt very strongly that there was still much to be learned and that the best route to achieving that understanding was working alongside a wide variety of companies, cultures and people. In addition, placements are also the best route into a creative career (with very few junior positions advertised). I would encourage any graduate to attempt the same (or at least plan for) to learn exactly what is right for them, the right and wrongs in design, plus a valuable opportunity to network.
I can only hope the experiences and advice I have to offer can aid others in their personal journey through design. An extended version of the article is available in the Shellsuit Zombie Magazine #2, available to buy online next month (July). I also co-wrote an article in issue 1, still available!
Featured below is an intriguing and sometimes surprising set of facts and figures documenting my adventures over the last 10 months. This can be seen to greater detail by clicking on the image.
This month’s Creative Review is available to buy here.
When I finish my years worth of placements I will publish an extensive guide to what I have learned. Until that is complete, a great resource for graduates are the Designers Societies lectures from 2009/10 (apologies for the decay and dust gathered to the site over the last year) and their original blog.
Now for the next step in my career, a permanent position!
