ENGI

One Year Out

I’m not a designer, but it’s still a great read for anyone graduating now, or ever.

mattmcinerney:

A great post by Kyle Read about your first year as a designer out of college:

In continuation from the last post -and I don’t mean to get all sentimental here- but it has dawned on me that I really have had an interesting year, both personally and as a designer fresh out of school. (last time I reference my feelings on this blog, I promise.)  After collecting some of the things I’ve learned as a design student of the world, I’ve compiled a list of some advice I’d give to graduates leaving SCAD, and really any one leaving any school, pertaining to my first year out. I in no way profess to know everything, but these are the things I believe to be truisms and good advice about my first year.

1. Yup, your professors were right. They weren’t crazy, or idealistic, or obsessed with theory only.  Design is a profession learned slowly, and through failure.  They knew what they said, and I hope you listened. They were right, for the most part, and by that I mean by no fault of their own, they only missed one small thing: you are your own person, and no matter how much you studied, you are now a designer of the early to mid twenty-first century, and theory and studies can only get you so far.  Your professors could only be right up unto 2011. It’s up to you to write history now.

2. Plain and Simple. Don’t stop Hustlin. Whether you’re job searching, freelancing, or working to build your life. Hustle. Hustle harder than you’re ever hustled before. No more grades, just personal satisfaction. From now on, no matter how good you were, school was EASY. It’s now gonna be doubly hard to get anywhere. The only thing to do now is hustle, baby.

3. You will. This is a fact. Push through. PUSH THROUGH. I’ve seen it in everyone, me included. It may happen the day after graduation, or on day 364, and it may be for a minute, or a month, but you will, and it’s ok. Stay happy.

4. Ok, this is very similar to number 2…. however, this pertains especially to your professional life. If you don’t have a job yet, see number 2, if you do, your job is not done, it’s literally just beginning.  There will be hardships along the way. School preps you great for talking to other people about your profession, and knowing your theory and honing your skills, but it does NOT teach you how to deal with a professional environment. It’s one of those things that can only be learned through experience, and every one is different. Small firm, Big company, freelance, no matter, everyone will have bosses, clients, and coworkers. These relationships can be rocky at first, but keep at it, and get creative on how to survive.

5. I think this is mostly for SCAD students, but DAMN those things were awesome. But no more… So use your free time wisely! It’s up to you!

6. This may be the most important one up here. Your friends are your new lifeline. Your new support group. Your new family. Your new social life, business partners, possible enemies, and possible opportunities. Keep the friends you made, and now make more. If you think you’re being annoying by trying to keep in touch, you’re not. Your friends are your life. They’re your most valuable asset now. (side note, writing a letter is an instant day-maker. I suggest writing letters to ALL of your facebook friends. Do it.)

7.  So, in addition to friends… use ALL of the resources available to you. You’ve heard it a million times. It’s true. Milk this world for all it’s willing to give you! There really are so many new recources out there. There are no more campus computer labs, student discounts, instant and easily accessible groups of people and clubs, awesome school libraries or professors for free. BUT, there are still the public libraries, the internet, groupon, old people (my favorite), and countless others. USE THEM.

8. Bawwwww.  Yup, it’s true. F#@% money, you’re a graduate of an institution that revered the pursuit of artistic and personal perfection, no reason that should change just because they gave you a piece of paper and a handshake. There’s always more money out there, but do what makes you happy, do what you love. Even if it’s not your day job, find a way to be happy with your free time. It doesn’t stop now, it only begins. (I believe my favorite acronym for SCAD -Sleep Comes After Death- is now even more applicable.) You can do it, this life is yours. Go get it. And if you want a friend to get it with, call me. really. @kyleread.

There’s much more I could say, but I feel I’ve already been long winded. See you out there grads.