EXSCRIBO

6 SYMPOSIUM

The Symposium really opened my eyes to the range of possibilities for careers after MIAD. As a Communication Design major, I was especially interested in asking the designers things like: How did you get to the position you’re in today? What kind of work would you like to do in the future? Do you still practice other forms of art, or do you do any artwork just for yourself (like painting or sculpture)? And what are the most important things to consider in the business of design? I also tried to ask some fine artists some of the opposite forms of these questions: How important is it to be able to market yourself and your work? And is there any work that you needed to do that you never envisioned yourself doing (like designing a website or learning to photograph work)?

Katie Donahue had a lot to say about her journey to becoming the creative director for a newly published magazine. When I asked her about the most important things to consider when entering the design world, she said that craft and presentation were key. She went on to explain why being able to sell yourself is one of the most important things you can do when trying to get a job, and the biggest way you can do that is by building the best portfolio you can and presenting it and yourself professionally and maturely. I thought what she said was extremely practical advice. You could be one of the best designers in the world, but if you don’t present your work in an accessible way and don’t come across as someone your clients or bosses want to work with, you’ll never even get your foot in the door.

Nikki Jeffries, another graphic designer, seemed to have a little more work under her belt. She was also working doing small-scale design on a team of about five, and she was doing so by choice. She told us about why she tried the corporate job but felt that the work she was making was too impersonal and didn’t reflect her passion for design. I asked her if there was any artwork she did on the side and she admitted that yes, she draws and paints in her free time. She also went on to tell us how the ideas in her own personal work sometimes find their way into her designs. I loved hearing that. I know I want to be a designer, but it was very refreshing to hear that it’s possible to maintain other passions and even incorporate them into her work.

Even though I loved talking with Katie, Nikki, and many more artists and designers throughout the night, my favorite presenter was Chip Kidd. I am a huge fan of his book cover design and was delighted to hear about his process. After his presentation I was able to talk with him briefly about his long career and how he’s grown as an artist. I asked him what, after doing this for over 20 years, was the most important thing to remember as a designer. His response was simply “listen.” He told me to listen to the client, listen to my boss, listen to my peers, but above all listen to my gut. He explained how some of his best designed originated from instinct, and that whenever he didn’t, he wasn’t happy with the work he produced. I think this was really valuable advice at this point in my artistic development. I think Chip is an important example of how designers can have a voice in their work even when they are working for someone else.