It’s that time of year again! The holidays are over, and for college students across the country, winter term is in full swing. I recently received an email from a current student making her way through the UO’s advertising program who wanted to know how I set myself apart in the job market. Because I know there are a handful of student designers out there wondering what they can do now to get ahead in June, I’ve opted to share a few tips here. More than anything, I’ve found that standing out when applying to jobs is about getting involved and being a leader among your peers:

• Fill your resume with meaningful experiences that speak to who you are and what you’re interested in. Welcome any and all opportunities that come your way, and always work to better yourself as a designer. Your work is never finished, and your portfolio is always evolving. Strive to be the best at what you do, and show people what you’re capable of.
• Make connections with your professors – visit them often and cultivate professional relationships with each. What you give to your instructors in enthusiasm and engagement, you’ll receive threefold in learning experiences and networking opportunities.
• Set goals and refuse to give up on them. Some of the most amazing and beneficial experiences I had at the University of Oregon began as pipe dreams. It was only through steadfast perseverance, thorough research and dire enthusiasm that many of my goals became realities.
• Don’t overlook the value of taking classes outside of design! Part of being a good designer is immersing yourself in all kinds of creative fields. Over the years, I’ve dabbled in black and white photography, sculpture art, wheel-throwing, glassblowing, acrylic painting, charcoal drawing, etc. I used to play the violin and I have a serious love for interior design. I’m a firm believer in the idea that being a successful creative has a lot to do with the objects and activities you surround yourself with.
• Along the same lines, now is the time to build additional skills to set you apart in the job market. Need additional credits in the College of Arts and Sciences? Don’t waste them on lower-level literature classes. Instead, delve into subject areas that will benefit you greatly in the long run. I took courses in computer and information science in order to develop an understanding of web development and coding. And as it turns out, basic coding skills were a huge plus when it came to building my portfolio and standing out in the job search.
• And finally, never underestimate the power of your network! On your path to graduation, you’ll meet a lot of people who will be valuable resources in your future job search. Approach every opportunity honestly and professionally. And reach out to other recent grads! We just went through the process that you’re just beginning, and most of us are totally willing to share our experiences.

Images found here and here.

At the end of October, I was offered internships at ID Branding in Portland and at Urban Influence in Seattle. Both agencies are small design firms cranking out awesome work, and both positions are unpaid. I’m accepting the internship at Urban Influence (it’ll be easier since my parents still live in the area) and I’m completely stoked to jump in. They don’t have a lot of big-name clients, but they seem truly invested in creating partnerships with their clients and deeply involving interns in projects from beginning to end. All along, I’ve wanted to be a designer more than an art director, so I think this will be a good opportunity to strengthen my technical skills and add some depth to my design portfolio. I think my design aesthetic will really mesh well there, and I’ve always wanted to begin my career in the same kind of small, collaborative community that UI has established.

And the best part? Greg and I are both locked into three-month internships! My gig at Urban Influence starts on Monday, and I’ll be living with my parents for now and commuting into downtown. Greg’s internship is at a small-midsize demand marketing agency called CatapultWorks down in the Bay Area. Big clients, funky office, and lots of room to grow. He was told that they would have brought him on full-time if he’d had any prior internship experience and that if he performs well, they’d love to move him into a salaried account coordinator position at the end of his internship.

So we spent the last two weeks driving up and down the West Coast, making the most of our last days of freedom before we dive back into work. After a much-needed visit with his family in the Bay Area, we left San Jose on Monday, golfed in Bandon – which was absolutely breathtaking – yesterday and finally arrived back in Eugene last night. We’re packing up our apartment today and tomorrow before saying goodbye to our beloved college town and making a whirlwind move to Seattle on Friday. After Thanksgiving, Greg will pack up and head down to California in preparation for his December 5th start date. This week has been a doozy, and the action doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon!

Stay tuned…

Images found here and here.

Lately, I’ve taken a few requests from current students who are interested in learning how I reached the level of design proficiency I’m at now. My best advice for students looking to chart a path through design is simple: master the tools. As a designer, you’ll use InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop for the bulk of your work, and you’ll need to know how to use each of them for a broad range of tasks. Here’s a rundown of each, as I see them:

• In my opinion, InDesign is the most intuitive and easy to learn. It’s used heavily for layout design, which is a great place to begin learning basic rules of traditional design. Once you have a strong grasp on the fundamentals, you can begin to break the rules and intelligently experiment with your designs.
• If you plan on becoming a designer, I would strongly suggest you gain experience using Photoshop for web and app design – as the industry continues to sway more toward digital, it will benefit you greatly to understand the tools necessary for the medium.
• Illustrator was the program I knew least in school, but it has become the program I use most now. In my opinion, it’s the most complicated program but it’s also the most capable. The huge amount of things you can do with Illustrator will astound you.

Design tutorials can be extremely useful resources for those beginning an education in design, but always make sure you’re paying attention to the steps you’re taking and how the tools are being applied. Simply whipping through tutorials like you’re crossing things off of a to-do list won’t get you anywhere unless you’re gaining a firm understanding of the process.

Lastly, know this: If you want to be a successful designer, you can’t rely solely on yourself to be both teacher and student. So get involved early and often. Take advantage of the vast variety of opportunities available to you – the best way to learn is to completely immerse yourself into the world of design and repeatedly put your skills to the test.

Images found here and here.

Not long ago, I stumbled upon a smart and insightful piece on the pitfalls of traditional design programs written by Mike Mates of Seattle-based Urban Influence. Mike’s argument is this: Many graduates from design programs that focus solely on theory and technical ability are poorly educated on the slew of practical challenges that exist in the professional realm (client dynamics, budget restrictions and workplace communication, among others). And though I didn’t major in graphic design, I found myself reflecting on my experience in the University of Oregon’s advertising program, pinpointing fundamental reasons why its students emerge with a competitive edge. Here’s what I’ve concluded:

1. We’re multi-disciplinary. Unlike the majority of art schools and portfolio programs, the UO embraces liberal arts and compels students to delve into a wide array of subject areas. The result is a well-rounded crop of young professionals who deeply grasp the importance of cultural awareness, community involvement, and continuing education.

2. We’re given the freedom to act on our ideas. More than just a community of dreamers, thinkers, and idea generators, we’re builders and makers taught to harness our creative potential and turn our ideas into reality. In other words, we have the drive and desire to put our creative toolbox to the true test.

3. We’re offered real-world experience. Students are presented with countless opportunities to engage and interact with industry professionals while developing practical experience in their field:

• We’re mentored by notable thought leaders and innovators, including Mullen’s Edward Boches, BSSP’s Ed Cotton, NORTH’s Dave Allen and Uncorked Studios’ David Ewald.
• We operate within real budgetary, technological and bureaucratic parameters as members of one of the nation’s only student-run advertising agencies.
• We’re given endless freedom to create and discover during annual expeditions to NYC for Creative Week New York, to Austin for South by Southwest Interactive, and to NYC and San Francisco as part of a one-of-a-kind professional shadow program.

But I’m under no illusions that my alma mater is by any means flawless. So in the interest of impartiality, I’ve also rounded up three ways that the School of Journalism and Communication could improve its advertising program:

1. Expand requirements. General studies and prerequisites aside, undergrads in the UO’s ad program are currently only required to take five classes centered on the vast and ever-changing world of branding and advertising. Those who aren’t compelled to dig deeper scrape by with only a surface-level understanding of the most fundamental concepts.

2. Strengthen offerings in visual communication. While we’re routinely praised for the high level of strategy present in our work, we’re often told that our creative executions can’t compete. In terms of curriculum, the caliber of visual communication courses in the UO’s ad program should mirror the quality of its strategic offerings.

3. Embrace the little guy. Simply put, the big-name agencies aren’t the only ones doing mind-blowing, forward-thinking work. The UO’s advertising program should spread its attention across agencies of all types and sizes, providing students with a more objective and comprehensive understanding of the industry.

Original images found here and here.

My closest childhood friend is marrying the man of her dreams, and I am absolutely, completely and utterly honored to stand beside her as a bridesmaid. Not only that, but I’ve also had the privilege of designing her save the dates, invitations and ceremony programs (pictured above). Many, many thanks to my sister for scouring the entire State of Oregon for materials and helping me painstakingly assemble nearly 250 programs. The process wasn’t easy, but it was well worth it! This was my first foray into wedding stationery, and it won’t be the last time I undertake this type of project. But more on that later…

It’s time to whip out my dancing shoes and practice my Electric Slide!

Confetti found here.

And while it’s true that my hunt for employment has been taxing, there are brief, liberating moments each week — often, each day — that remind me why I ventured down this path.

Since the September 6th launch of her new book, Grace Bonney has unknowingly given me many of these wonderful reminders. Bonney and the rest of the lovely ladies behind Design*Sponge are all about seizing opportunities, solving problems, sharing perspectives and curating a comprehensive collection of some of the best design work — interior, graphic and otherwise — on the planet.

Many in the design world have anxiously anticipated the arrival of Design*Sponge at Home, and now that it’s here, Bonney and her team have given us all something to cheer about. Absolutely gorgeous from cover to cover, the book showcases countless examples of innovative and creative design and artistry. Both a resource and work of art, it is a rare fusion of design inspiration, education and appreciation. Watch the Design*Sponge promo video below:

Beyond the book, Bonney herself is a true inspiration. I’ve been following her blog for years, but only since embarking on a somewhat unsuccessful job search have I truly begun to appreciate her work. She — along with many others like her — has inadvertently taught me that in the field of design, agency life isn’t the only life. She’s shown me that with a commitment to my craft, a clear vision, some serious dedication and remarkable time management skills, I can build my own successful — and independent — career from the ground up.

Since the book’s launch, Design*Sponge at Home has received rave reviews. And each time I read an encouraging comment, see another photo of the book displayed in a reader’s home or hear about the creative process that resulted in such an amazing product, I remember why I entered this amazing field:

I wanted to inspire people. To create and collaborate. To see projects from conception to completion. To uncover beauty in the most ordinary of objects. To strategize. To really hunker down with a thought, a concept or a vision, massage it again and again, and emerge with something greater. Then finally, to bring that idea into reality — to turn the intangible into something tangible and make the world just a little brighter.

What is your favorite holiday?

What do you miss most about being a kid?

What was the last book you read?

Each question was thoughtfully considered and each answer carefully — and creatively — crafted. It wasn’t until I was asked to sum up my life story in six words that I became inextricably stumped. At first, the thought of condensing 22 years of experience into 6 measly words was inconceivable. But eventually, the opposite became true; I realized that the trouble wasn’t in finding a way to summarize my entire life in a single phrase, but in identifying elements of my existence that were worthy of being included.

What have I really accomplished? What has my life been defined by thus far? I’ve entertained a lengthy list of aspirations and collected two decades worth of stories and adventures, but only one immediate, long-term goal has pervaded every aspect of my life and every moment of my existence: to grow up.

Now, I imagine life will always be an ever-long process of learning and changing, but the first 22 years are unequivocally defined by growth. I was born on November 23, 1988. Like most babies, I spent my first year learning to sit without help, to eat solid foods, to speak comprehensible words, to walk steadily. After that, the growth process only continued. I learned to ride a bike, to write my name, to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and play scales on the violin. I studied world history, crunched numbers in math class and mastered conversational Spanish. And outside the world of academia, I developed my own interests; I learned to blow glass, to paint portraits, to retouch photos and dig volleyballs. I explored the ups and downs of young love, learned to drive and started doing my own laundry.

Eventually, the time came for me to leave for college, and there, of course, the learning only continued. For four years, I enjoyed my independence, but I was still never really on my own. For most undergraduate students, college is merely a time of transition — a way to bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood, between adolescence and the real world. So no matter how many experiences I’ve shared or how many adventures I’ve embarked on, until now, my life has really only been defined by a process of growing up, or leaving the nest.

Consequently, the only real way to epitomize my entire existence in a simple six-word phrase was to communicate just that:

“Northwest-bred right brain leaves nest.”

I devoted nearly three hours to piecing those six words together, and in many ways, it’s the perfect descriptor of my experience thus far. It speaks to where I’ve been, who I am, what I’ve done and where I’m headed.

I’ve spent 22 years growing up and leaving home, and now, I’m in search of a new adventure. The next time I’m given the opportunity to summarize my experiences in half-a-dozen words, I’m hell-bent on having more to say. Life begins now, and I’m ready.

As a young creative, I’m often asked to explain where I find my inspiration. The topic comes up during casual conversation, in job applications, during class lectures and in friendly exchanges with generous industry professionals. And I typically respond with the same terribly optimistic and idealistic answer:

“Inspiration is everywhere.”

Usually, this is followed by an equally optimistic explanation about how, as an art director and designer, I’ve been subliminally conditioned to draw boundless inspiration from my surroundings. Anything can be a source of inspiration when approached with a keen eye and an open mind — and sometimes, a little change in perspective. Beauty can be found in the least likely of objects, motivation can be pulled from the most mundane of moments and creative influence can stem from the most ordinary of experiences. You’re never able to predict which items, patterns, sounds, words or feelings will shape the next masterpiece.

And while I still entertain that perspective, I’ve found since finishing my undergraduate degree in June that the bulk of my inspiration now comes from somewhere else entirely. Now, unemployed and educated, my inspiration is drawn from possibility.

I’m a 22-year-old college grad with very little to tie me down. The world is at my fingertips, and I can’t imagine anything more inspirational. When I consider where to work, where to live or what to create next, the possibilities are endless.

There are obstacles, of course, and I realize that to some, this likely makes me sounds like a romantic or an idealist. But I’d rather live in a state of optimism and energy where anything seems possible, because when I let my mind concentrate on the obstacles, the roadblocks and the boundaries of possiblity, my creativity is effectively limited.

And who wants that?

Images found here and here.

It isn’t always easy, but I’m working to stay energized and enthused with Paul Zii‘s 29 Ways to Stay Creative:

A few days ago, I vowed to let Zii’s list of advice counsel me every time I catch myself slipping into a state of idle distraction. I can’t predict how long my job hunt will last, but I do know that I’ll eventually enter the working world and someday come to miss the freedom that came with joblessness — the freedom to design and create without restriction. It’s often hard to see beyond the boredom, but this time is about more than just job searching; it’s about savoring the limited time I have left before I become a full-time employee.

I shouldn’t be spending my days in front of the television. Instead, I should be using them to delve into all of the projects I never had time for when school was in session. And with Zii’s help, I’m doing just that.

See the list illustrated with motion graphics here.

Images found here and here.

In my five weeks of job hunting, I’ve applied to several positions and met with a handful of insightful — and generous! — professionals, but most of the opportunities I’m pursuing have come from ad agencies, design firms and small digital shops. Though I haven’t applied to many corporate or in-house jobs, I’m starting to rethink my approach.

My degree is in advertising, but I’m quickly realizing that the ad world extends far beyond the few big-name agencies they taught us about in school. It’s the same revelation I was faced with a year ago, when my weeklong stint at Woman’s Day introduced me to the possibility of working for a magazine:

I don’t have to work at an advertising agency.

That doesn’t mean I won’t go the agency route, but merely that it’s not the only open avenue. A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon a post by Martyn Reding that weighs the differences between in-house and agency design work. Most notably, Reding makes the observation that in-house designers aren’t tasked with attracting new clients like those who operate within the agency model. Instead, each in-house designer is “challenged with sustaining interest and continually invigorating the relationship” between employer and employee.

Good food for thought as I continue the hunt and consider my options…

Image found here.