From one designer to another

Advice you should have heard sooner

Breaking into the world of design requires a practical know-how on the creative industry, that often a lot of people are willing to give away for free. The school of life in the creative industry can be a particularly hard one and good advice often comes at a price.

In my opinion, universities rarely prepare their students for what is actually coming. While sometimes offering a solid foundation in design principles and theory, the practical skills and industry-specific knowledge essential for students' post-graduation success is frequently overlooked. From limited exposure to industry tools and technologies to a lack of emphasis on client collaboration and project management, the gap between educational training and real-world expectations is hard to ignore.

If you are just finishing your educational career and feel lost and don’t know where to start in your design career, please believe me when I say: “You are not alone and it’s not your fault!”

While the creative industry claims to be very open, innovative and friendly, this rarely turns out to be entirely true. Many who have worked in the industry for years have gone through hell to get to where they are now, so good advice is rarely given to juniors. It can get uncomfortable, especially when large clients are involved.

Over the years I have met a lot of amazing and talented people who have given me advice on various aspects of my work life which I would like you to hear, or read in this case. :)

Start BIG

Thinking about beginning your design career by joining a small agency and then scaling up? Think again. In our fast-paced industry, names often carry more weight than experience. Small agencies might seem like a stepping stone, but the truth is, aiming big from the start has a lot of benefits. As a student, this is the time when your portfolio speaks the loudest, and no one expects monumental achievements. Leverage this period to aim high. Update and personalize your portfolio and target major agencies or companies you envision yourself working for. Gathering prestigious names early on allows you to cherry-pick future employers and clients wisely.

Expand your network

Designers invest immense time in perfecting their craft and image, but networking remains a less-explored avenue. Your network is more than just your work—it's a vital career catalyst. Spending time on self-development is crucial, but dedicating a chunk of it to nurturing connections pays off substantially. At least 60% of your career steps depend on your network and designers mostly spend about 80% or more of their time investing into their work. Reflecting on my journey, I poured hours into my work and image but landed zero lucrative jobs based on it. Reevaluate choices while making them—time is a precious asset.

Evaluate pro bono projects carefully

To my fellow self-employed designers using pro bono work as a springboard to attract larger clients: act carefully. While pro bono work can spice up your portfolio, it often falls short in return of invest. Companies often exploit creative workers by dangling promises of future high-paying projects. This cycle has persisted throughout my decade-long career, resulting in a lot of disappointment. This kind of work can absolutely be beneficial for you, but in most cases it’s not.

Know your value

Understanding your worth in the industry is key. Engage with industry peers, learn about their earnings, and comprehend the reasons behind them. Money isn't everything, but sustaining a business demands financial stability. Many clients undermine the value of design work, and designers need a solid foundation to articulate their worth effectively. Knowing what you can bring to the table and what it is worth is essential for your career. You can read more about it in my other blogpost “Designers got business”.

Health is your top priority

In our pursuit of success, we often neglect our well-being. The prevalence of burnouts in our field is concerning, yet glamorized by some. It is alarmingly downplayed by designers, directors and managers alike. The biggest problem about this is that the suffering of the mind becomes apparent when the wheel is already so strongly in motion that there is no turning back. Taking precautions and being good to yourself is not always easy but it is important for the sustainability of your career. Consider the following quote:
”If you died, your manager would put out a job posting within 48h looking for a replacement. Your friends and family will never get that chance. As much as your job is necessary, do not ignore the relationships where you remain irreplaceable.”

Say “no”

Shortly after I started working as a designer I heard this quote from one of our superiors: “Juniors just need to have two key qualities: 1. They need to be young. 2. They need to be durable.” This of course refers to the premise, that junior designers need to carry a great amount of work through many years of being underpaid. However, even juniors have the right to decline heavy workloads. But in order to do this they need to work on their communication skills. Learning how to communicate with superiors and clients when it comes to workload takes practice is a crucial ability and can save you a lot of time and energy.

Don’t take it personal

Criticism on creative work tends to have a personal effect on the person that has fabricated it. It’s only logical, since this often comes from a personal space with a lot of effort and heart in it, but there is nothing worse, than taking criticism on your work personally. It will ruin you faster than you being able to defend your work. Don’t take criticism personal and move on. It’s just work. Deal with it professionally and don’t let it get the best of you. There is also a way to use criticism to your advantage and even improve your work greatly.

Be yourself

There is nothing worse than pretending to be something you are not. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. You spend a lot of time at work and it should be enjoyable. It is also a lot easier to do creative work for something that somewhat fits your personality.

After all of this, I just want to say thank you to all the people who have supported me throughout this crazy journey. It had its ups and downs, but nothing is more valuable than people who have your back. You have inspired, educated, and supported me more than I could ever have imagined. I want everyone who has been involved to know that I'm eternally grateful from the bottom of my heart.