“Design is largely about inductive reasoning in complex situations”

— RUSS GOODMAN

It has been a long time, so it’s difficult to know what TAFE didn’t prepare me for, plus I was too ignorant to pay attention to during my course. 

 It might be because I really wanted to be a graphic designer in a studio, but I don’t know that I was aware of all of the different roles design can play in industries outside of offering design as a service, in a studio or agency setting. I wasn’t aware of the great work done by inhouse teams, publications, and the different roles available in different sectors. There are a lot of opportunities for designers to really shift the needle for a company and I didn’t pay attention to that if it was getting taught. 

Learning that this friction requires some empathy to do great work is key. I think I had a bit of a bratty attitude about clients and co-workers. 

A somewhat simplistic division of skills are production design skills, the ‘what’ and ‘how’ you do it, and thinking and rationalising skills, the ‘why’ you should do it. In time a new designer should be developing skills on both sides of this simple dichotomy. 

 Design is largely about inductive reasoning in complex situations. It’s OK to need to talk to people and ask the dumb questions, and acknowledge that you don’t have the answers. To act as if you are above this is to ignore.

There has been a lot of movement in understanding users, and human-centered design. I didn’t entirely grasp how design and mass production techniques delivered value to the businesses that we serviced. Being able to think like the client thinks about their business, and find ways to help them reach their goals and agree on the path to success. In fact, understanding that our clients provide goods or services, upkeep a brand, evolve their company etc. In my mid 20’s those things weren’t on my radar at all.

I really didn’t have a clue that creating and maintaining working culture is easily the most effective way to get great, rewarding work done. Especially for working with people I don’t have a natural chemistry with. Designers often have a bad attitude towards hierarchy: seniors, managers, clients and production partners. 

the reality of the situation, which is to set yourself up for failure. Even the most experienced designers turn up with a learning mindset and have the humility to openly grow their understanding. New designers are probably really smart and enthusiastic and have learned a lot, and that’s going to be really impressive for your clients and employers. No need to think you have all the answers upfront; figuring that out properly can be done in billable hours. 

Also, don’t be an asshole. Just don’t. I’ve tried it out a few times. Even if you get away with it for the intended period you needed to, someone always notices, and it always comes back around. Plus, you get older and that shit lingers in your dreams.