Now What? New Designer's Nosedive

Abstract

I am a soon to be design grad who has a double degree in Graphic Design and Arts Management. (So the short of it is I have two very expensive pieces of paper for the price of one) This book is a senior project which grew out of my rising fear for what comes next after graduating. Through the process of making and gathering information for this book, I was filled with even more existential dread for the future. This project brought hard reality to my front door. After speaking to many professionals across different sectors of the design industry, I found there are expectations of designers we weren’t necessarily told about. (yep, there’s more stuff we need to know) I learned about the specific demands of the industry and levels of expectations depending on which field of design you choose in particular. I also researched current trends and current statistics of design as a career. Unfortunately, I found my design schooling has not prepared me for everything I will need to know to be successful. (*eye roll* SHOCKERRR, I know...) But, in the college’s defense, I don’t think any school program can prepare you for every possibility. (I won’t get in trouble if I put this sentence in here right?) Through this research, I found meaningful advice tidbits from the professionals I spoke with. A lot of what they said gave me hope! Their knowledge comes with experience I do not have. (yet) All of the people I spoke with started where I am now, at the bottom, and they worked their way up to leadership positions. So, if they can do it, why can't we? What’s stopping younger generations of design students from rising to the challenge? Absolutely nothing.