We say Yes to Inspiring the next generation

An afterlife look at what lies ahead

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Some words of wisdom on making your way in the world of graphic design fromKuba Stromczynski, part of our creative team

Earlier this year, I was invited back to the university I graduated from – CardiffSchool of Art and Design – to speak at an ‘Afterlife’ event that the universityhas been organising ever since I can remember. At these talks, fellow graduateswho made it out into the whirlwind of the creative industry come back to share their journeys towards becoming a designer.

I still remember being in my third-year, planning my own-exit strategy, and always looking forward to these talks as they offer fantastic insights, tips and tricks and (for me) a huge amount of relief that the working world isn’t as scary as it seems. Being invited back gave me an opportunity to perhaps try and help lift that pressure from someone else’s shoulders too. Here are some of the things I covered in my talk:

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Get started.

Trying to land your first design job can be an overwhelming task… knowing where to start, which door to knock on, who to get in touch with is… well it’s a lot. The safety net of being at university quickly ends and you might feel like you’re alone. But the good news is that’s not the case!

A little bit of strategic thinking and some courage to forge connections is step one. Making an informed list of agencies you’d like to work with is a good starting point. Followed by getting yourself out there, meeting as many people from the industry as possible, maybe even dropping a few people a line to say ‘hi’ goes a long way – after all, people remember people.

This, combined with a polished portfolio that you can tailor to each agency, will already put you in a very strong position to get your foot in the door. And don’t be afraid to try and get your foot in a door that isn’t necessarily open. I landed a job I remember very fondly by simply picking up the phone and asking for an hour of their time to have a chat, show them my work and in the absence of an internship or full-time opportunity, request some feedback. Either way it’s a win.

Learn new things.

The role of a designer is a lot more hybrid today than it was many years ago, with readily available tools and a wealth of learning material to boost your skillset and make yourself stand out. Of course, the point isn’t to be a jack of all trades – find your niche, combine your interests with your skill and just try things out. Experimentation within design plays an important role, as it allows you to stumble into avenues you’d might not have gone down in a commercial project.

You just never know when something you’ve learned when messing about might become useful in the project you have on your bench.

Find a mentor.

While it might be intimidating asking a stranger for help, it’s probably one of the best things you can do. Having someone from the industry that you look up to, someone who’s been in the trenches and could shine a little light on what’s ahead of you is something I wish I had at university.

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Don’t give up.

Whether it’s job applications, looking for mentors, connecting with designers or taking your first steps into the industry, it won’t always be easy. Emails and applications won’t always be responded to, or the result won’t always be what you’d have hoped for. But that doesn’t define you, your skill or your future. One foot in front of the other, keep going.

I can’t take full credit for these words of wisdom. They’ve been collected from a whole range of talented people I met, worked with AND work with to this very day. Proctor + Stevenson is home to many incredibly talented folk who care, inspire and push one another to the next level.Allowing me to take the time out to speak to students and perhaps inspire someone who’s about to embark on a journey in the best industry in the world is just one of many great initiatives that P+S has to offer.

Kuba

Midweight Graphic Designer, Proctor + Stevenson.

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