The Young Designer’s Guide

Wait…wait don’t feel insulted. I am only trying to help you become a well rounded designer. So what else do you need to know? Lots!

One of the key reasons for the creation of this site is that not only must you become a snazzy designer with a killer portfolio, but a driven salesperson and business guru if you want to make leaps and bounds in the design food chain. These tools will help you move upwards in an large company, bring in big clients, or start your very own business. Talent is only half the battle.

Here is an overview of a few more tools for your arsenal besides an exacto knife & a pantone key that you should make sure you are knowledgeable in or at least aware.

Marketing
Inevitably you will work with a marketing person at some point in your career. They are the strategist for integrated marketing. They plan the where, what and how of advertising. Who is the client targeting? What is the theme, the message? What mediums should be utilized? Where will we place these messages? What will it look like? That’s where we come in. How about dazzling the client with not only your fabulous style and visuals, but also with a broad knowledge of marketing and creative ideas. The more input you can give, the more impressive you are to the client. You do not need to get a degree (though it wouldn’t hurt) to have a basic understanding. See Rob Engleman’s Simple Marketing Planning Outline for an idea of what is most often incorporated into a marketing plan.

Do take the idea of getting a marketing degree (Associates, Bachelors or Masters) seriously. The benefit is that not only can you offer design services, but marketing services as well, a big bonus in the eyes of your future employer. You the whole enchilada! You will be mastering the strategy and giving orders. It’s a step towards being a creative director. With that in mind we will continue to write about marketing so register to get the latest and greatest news.

Sales
Sell yourself! Not literally it’s illegal in most countries, but sell your services and design concepts. Whether you are getting a job, presenting to a potential new client or just selling your idea to a client you need to know how to present and persuade. When a lead has a real potential or just leading you on.

We’ve all presented in critiques at college, but how professional were you? It’s a lot scarier when it’s strangers and especially starting off. The more you learn, practice and read up on sales (of which we’ll have plenty to say on the young designer’s guide) the better you will get at it. One of the biggest eye openers I have had so far is how to handle sales leads. I use to spend more time then I should following up and really pushing clients who weren’t ready or I wasn’t what they could afford. So I was left empty handed. It’s learning to tell the difference that saves time and money.

The best advice I can give anyone still in school is to get a job in sales; waitressing, sales at a store, etc. What you learn selling products and interacting with people translates to selling yourself and building up your experience and confidence.