pp: interview with Lance

After showing/explaining my portfolio, resume, and cover letter to Lance, he emphasized the importance of presentation and craft. He observed that most of my work was strong but that I should consider pulling out a couple of personal works that were not relatable to the company. One example was my Book of References. Though visually appealing, it did not speak to the agency's goals nor did it display any aptitude for conceptualizing. As Barkley is an advertising agency, some works have to be pulled out and added in according to the employer's needs. He also said how I articulated my work was solid, but that my quiet personality can make employers think that I am less capable. In order to stand out amongst my competition, I need to emphasize what makes me unique and show employers that even though I'm reserved, I know, "how to have fun." Overall, I need to improve on my craft, and fully understand my designs to better showcase what makes me, me.

pp: near-finals

pp: moar progress

bus iness card

prototype 2

-used thinner paper, but it's still ripping on the edges

-my information is being cut in half - perhaps it should be on a different panel

-won't close shut all the way, and won't open up all the way, so should be more flexible

thank you card

-envelope still has to be designed

-bought a small hole-puncher to punch out the circles

-on the inside will be a close-up or a detailed shot of one of my portfolio works

-wanted all my collateral to be dimensional + flat

takeaway stuffs

-some dark chocolate almonds...

-is this too random?

stickers
-an array of stickers that can go on takeaway stuff and letters
-bought some sticker paper, but the printer won't print it exactly in line!

pp: progress

BUSINESS CARD

prototype 1

can be displayed different ways:

issues with prototype 1:

-the matte board isn't working, have to use thinner paper

-perhaps more interesting type layout

-maybe turning the logo upside down (to match the form)

-too time consuming — need to simplify

type layout 2

pp: business card exploration

I decided to make my own business cards after looking at the prices of customized designs. Below are pictures of experimenting with form:

Final decided form!

pp: interview key + reading

interview key




7 Things You Must Do Before Applying to Jobs | Sarah Chang
before sending out applications, you should...

• Do work on your online reputation
• 80% of employers google applicants before interviews
• LinkedIn is crucial to have updated
• don't let people mistakenly think you've landed a new job
• 3 Things to do before the job search
• determine who the stakeholders are
• people whose daily life will be altered by your next job
• a new job means a new life
• build your network and your reputation
• a reputation is something you build
• network online and in person
• Figure out what your skill set is and what you want to do with it — and be ready to entertain far-out ideas.
• ask "What are you optimizing for?"
• do some soul searching
• what're your unique talents? don't take them for granted
• assess your eight essential dimensions: interests, motivators...
• figure out how you feel about your current job
• is the grass always greener?
• is there a long time plan?
• are you appreciated?
• what does my boss think of me?
• 9 things to consider before job searching while employed
• keep job search and work separate
• be careful who you tell
• schedule interviews strategically
• your boss may be threatened
• use former employees as references
• be honest with potential employers
• don't forget about current job
• remember that you don't have the job yet

pp: interviews + reading

INTERVIEWS
For my informational interviews, I wanted to ask professionals in fields in either motion graphics or environmental graphic design. I'm leaning towards the latter, but I'm still open to motion graphics. Generally, the interviews were a little awkward at first, but it later sparked good conversations about design and their personal experiences. I interviewed four people over the semester, but I plan on interviewing a couple more people as I move on in the year, in order to get a better sense of what's out there. Below are summaries of my interviews with these professionals:

Taylor Pruitt | Intern at Gensler

Taylor Pruitt is our adjunct professor in our User Experience class, but she also is currently working at MindMixer and previously interned at Gensler. When I asked Kidwell about environmental graphic design, he referred me to a couple of people, including Taylor. I first asked her what her story was, starting from graduating KCAI. She explained that during her junior year, she applied to Gensler in Chicago and was selected out of 300 other applicants. Afterwards, she applied to other places like Hallmark, Barkley, and Meers. Her first choice was Hallmark, however Meers sought her out and gave her the job. She went on to work at MindMixer, and is still there today. Specifically at Gensler, she worked mostly around branding. A lot of the internship was about researching about how people will react with the space, and idea generation in teams. Architecture allows for more possibilities than strictly graphic design, in terms of scale and scope. She explained that spatial design in general has a much slower process, which often happens in architecture firms. When I asked about the pros and cons, I was surprised to hear that one boring aspect of the field was wayfinding. It can be dull due to its highly technical and meticulous nature.

Finally, some advice from Taylor:
-be open-minded
-look anywhere to apply, and apply early
-the thing you stay with right after graduation is what you'll probably end up with

Other people/studios she referred me to:
-Keitra Dickson
-Bethany Joy Foss
-Ian Spaeth
-Eisterhold Studio

Bethany Joy Foss | Studio Tilt

Another person Kidwell (and Taylor) referred me to for environmental graphic design was Bethany Joy Foss. After researching about her background, I understood why Kidwell suggested her. I realized we have a lot of things in common, in terms of experience and interests. We both are double-majoring in graphic design and art history, we both interned (will intern) at the Nelson-Atkins Museum, and we both have an interest in spatial design. Growing up, she was interested in architecture from the beginning. Even from 10 years old, she drew architectural floor plans of buildings. As she grew older, she became intrigued with painting, and decided to attend KCAI for a BFA with an emphasis in painting. Not long after, she switched her major to graphic design. Currently, she works at Studio Tilt and is working on recreational centers, specifically the Chicago Bulls.

In terms of spatial design, she explained that its mostly about how people feel in a space and creating atmospheres/environments. There is a common misconception that environmental graphic design just started recently, however, in actuality it began with Deborah Sussman and her designs for the L.A. Olympics. When I asked her to elaborate on her experience at HOK, similar to Taylor's observation about wayfinding, she replied that signage and wayfinding was the most dull. The most exciting projects for her were branding experiences, which is very much like "regular" graphic design branding. Another engaging aspect of spatial design that Bethany pointed out was the ideation process, where there are no constraints and where they are free of the clients opinion. The most challenging aspect for her were creating/understanding construction documents, which are usually for architects. As a spatial designer, her team is involved in the whole process of the design. Ideally, the client will come to the design team first, then fabrication, and then the client. In between these relationships are project managers who facilitate communication. She observed that clients do not usually think about adding graphics to their spaces until the end, which places limitations for the designers.

One thing she told me to be wary of was being a designer for architecture firms. As the designer, she cautioned me that they mostly only do marketing and don't offer opportunities to create spaces. She also said that these firms sometimes do not value graphic designers as a vital part of their firm.

Advice:
-talk to people at architecture firms
-start to know key players in the area and get to know faces
-have a strong portfolio (environmental graphic design firms are not necessarily looking for experience in the field because it's relatively new - just looking for type and design sensibilities)
-intern at architecture firms
-apply for competitions on SEGD

Other studios she told me to look at:
-HOK
-BNIM
-Gensler
-SOM
-Pentagram
-Populous

Kelly Furlong | Populous

Kelly and I held the interview at Thou Mayest Cafe. Meeting with her was really helpful in learning about experiential design and how to get where she is today. Kelly has a really impressive resume, abundant with awards and public recognition. Despite not having as much experience, she's already a senior graphic designer.

Upon graduation, Kelly knew that she did not want to work with an advertising firm; She wanted to work with non-profit clients. Using her senior degree project, which involved using graphic wit for a cause (gender and racial equality), as a springboard for her career, Kelly was able to intern at the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. She then worked at Eisterhold for six years, and now works at Populous.

Kelly described her experience at Eisterhold as a good learning process. As it was a smaller firm, she was exposed to other sects of the company such as budgeting and management. She explained that as a designer, she was the last to receive the content of the project, which she would later have to distribute throughout the space. The job was mostly about organizing the content in an engaging way. However, she wanted to explore the "wow" factor. In other words, she wanted to have more creative freedom with her projects.

She then moved on to Populous, a firm that designs spaces for sports centers, airports, convention centers, etc. Basically, the firm draws people together for a shared experience. In comparison to Eisterhold, she said that projects at Populous were more "superficial" in that the content was not as deeply thought out in relation to the museum context. She expressed her love for Populous, and said that it is a really fun environment to work in. In terms of environmental design in general, having an understanding of the culture you're designing for is key.

Advice:
-use senior degree project to narrow your focus
-apply for internships everywhere
-work in 3D, and understand how things are built
-gear portfolio to environmental design
-have a general understanding of ADA (though not crucial)

Other firms to look at:
-Workshop Design
-Dimensional Innovations
-Gensler, HOK, etc.

John Baker | previous animator at MK12

view previous post to read the interview summary


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READINGS
Open Letter to Design Students Everywhere | Jessica Helfand

My freedom thus consists in my moving about within the narrow frame that I have assigned to myself for each one of my undertakings. I shall go even further: my freedom will be so much the greater and more meaningful the more narrowly I limit my field of action and the more I surround myself with obstacles. Whatever diminishes constraint diminishes strength. The more constraints one imposes, the more one frees oneself of the claims that shackle the spirit. - Ignor Stravinsky, The Poetics of Music

• What is your Thesis?
• less is more!
• big implications, big public spaces, big audiences may work against you - try being more specific
• start simply and go from there
• with structure comes freedom
• don't be afraid to start small, never stop learning

Response

Helfand offers some advice to all designers in her article. For freshmen in college, she suggests writing down everything and carrying around a sketchbook. For juniors and seniors, she asks, "What is your thesis?" She emphasizes two things: less is more and freedom is found in structure. From education to creative briefs, limitations should be invited and embraced. Working around limitations leads to new ideas, solving limitations leads to innovation, and defining limitations and breaking them leads to change. College specifically offers a space where students can learn not only academically but in relationships, from having discussions and experimenting. 

pp: bus card/cov letter/mark

pp: print portfolio contents

These are the works I will be including in my print portfolio: