Having mentored so many students over the past 20 years (wow, has it been that long?), I’ve learned that their success as students and ultimately as designers depends as much on them as it does on me. Here are some tips gleaned from both observation and experience for making the grade:
The teacher is there because you are there. It may appear that you are there to jump at the teacher’s beck and call, but you should consider that training for when you will jump at your client’s beck and call. It’s you who paid the tuition and takes the time to show up and do the assignments. Remember, every teacher was once a student. It’s hard to put anything over on them.
Listen to what your fellow students are saying in class. Students talk a lot outside of the classroom. But what they say during class, the questions they ask, the reponses they give and what they say about their work and yours during crits can be invaluable to you. Don’t miss it.
Invest in a camera. Make it a good one – with f-stops. If you can, get a digital SLR, and a tripod. And then document, document, document. One thing I learned as a student at Art Center was to take lots of shots of my work. If you’re spending all that time, and all that money on tuition, supplies and materials, document the work that results with a good quality, high-megapixel camera. Sorry, camera phone are not worth it. You’re your photos backed up on CDs, and also print them out and glue them into your design journal (sketchbook). While you’re at it, document your design and fabrication processes, not just the results. If you work in 3-D, take pictures of a project from several different view points.
Keep a design journal. This would look like a sketchbook. Put your ideas, doodles, sketches and comments in it. Document your projects in it. Record notes and ideas. Do you concept work in it. It is a great substitute for the paper napkin, and everything you’re thinking and seeing is all contained in one easy-to-carry place. Draw. Draw. Draw some more.
The computer is a tool. Use a pencil instead and you’re still a designer. Having a computer, even if it’s a Macintosh, does not make you a designer.
Don’t work for the grade. The reason you have chosen to be in school is because you want to succeed as a designer of some sort. If your first question for any teacher is “What does it take to get an A in this class?” you’re missing the point entirely. That would be like asking aclient, “How much will you pay me?” before their job is even defined. Pay attention, do the work, put in the extra effort, and the grade will follow.
Plan your time. Build in margin for the unexpected. Studio classes require an amount of time spent outside the classroom in research, preparation and execution. Time is required. Identify your time-wasters and get rid of them.
Use inspiration. Then make sure it remains inspiration. In other words, don’t copy. It’s unethical.
Be creative but solve the problem. Design is not for the purpose of self-expression. If your goal is to express yourself, go be a fine artist or a tagger. Designers create for reasons not their own, mostly.
Get everything on the course aupply list and learn how to use it. You can’t substitute a Leatherman™ for an x-acto™. Use the right tool for the job. It’s safer that way.
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I printed it out! Cool tips!