Brochure for Aedas: Jadeis project.
Here are the unedited responses that studios gave to the question, "what are the top 3 characteristics or attributes that distinguish a 'forget it' from a 'gotta have' prospective employee?" What is great about this material is not only the actual 'specs' but the insight that you get into how the studios think about their new employees overall. ========= A demonstrated ability to find design solutions appropriate to the brief, rather than just imposing whatever's the latest trend onto the project regardless of content. You try to pick this up from the content of their folio. Strong computer skills, although this is wishful thinking. Graduates rarely possess these. Work needs to be set up and completed efficiently, without the need to redo it along the way, and it's hard to make time for on-the-job training. For instance, we would love new employees to have an understanding of how to maximise the benefits of using style sheets, master pages and so on; and how and when to set up colours as Pantone or process, what trap is... the list goes on. It is nearly impossible to evaluate from an interview, because they all THINK that they have strong computer skills. Typographic and text-handling skills, including an ability to spell and punctuate. I am really put off when viewing folios with elementary mistakes, or designers who don't know the names of any of the typefaces they've used. We have an inbuilt test: anyone who can't spell our name on the application isn't considered (you'd be surprised how many are discarded that way). Someone who has a manner and appearance that's suited to dealing with our clients. Although we wouldn't be unleashing a new designer on clients too often, we wouldn't go for someone who would have to be kept in the basement. ========= 1. very special work with style and a "classical" sense of typography, as opposed to type-arrhoea ========= Must be a self starter and mad for design. Technical ability is not immediately critical, but an indication of aptitude in this area is important. ========= People that work for us have to ========= In order of importance. ========= 1. that spark of real creativity ========= concept ability... (meeting the clients specific needs with ideas not just pretty pages) business sense... (being able to design within budgets and work as part of a team) not being a psycho (you'd be surprised how many there are in multi-media) ========= Original creative work. Problem solving ability. Application to tasks given and enthusiasm/dedication (work ethic??) ========= one able to fit into the existing team People look for a decent, strong portfolio, an understanding of typography, and a spark of intelligence which means they can be trained in the methods and procedures of the studio. Emphasis on ability to work to a system, for job tracking and such. Most of the studios I spoke to said that creativity wasn't a problem, it's the nitty-gritty where people get bogged down. ========= We have found that most graduates really have to start from scratch when they enter the real world - it takes even an experienced designer a minimum of six months to settle into a new job. In graduate interviews we look for: IDEAS- evidence of great/unusual/surprising ideas, and the ability to talk about projects from the idea point-of-view, demonstrating a line of thought from the brief how they have arrived at a solution (NOT 'I used the blur filter for this one'). ATTITUDE - openness and willingness to learn and relate to a team environment - bright and intuitive (no arrogance or lone rangers) - the correct attitude is more important than being able to drive every computer program. POTENTIAL - we do not look for a portfolio or person who can be all things to all people, we would much rather see no more than six well thought out projects demonstrating potential (no more bulging books please!) ========= In terms of the top 3 characteristics that we are looking for I guess we are driven by having people working for us who aspire to be the best and enjoy what they do. Key characteristics would be; 1. A portfolio that illustrated creative thinking - design based on good ideas ========= Top 3 characteristics for a "must have" 1) "must have" must have, the ability to analyse, to think for themselves, to be able to look at a brief and decide what would be best for the client, not to just draw pretty pictures. They want to conceptualise and develop concepts, from an idea rather then what just looks good. These type of people tell me this of of their own accord, I've never asked this question! 2) In the design stakes, I look for someone with strong design capabilities, such as strong layout, good direction of design in layout, communication ability (meaning I want to understand what the design is saying, not have them explain it to me) Innovative design, (rather then what is just trendy at the moment) And I look for strong typographical innovation, someone that has the sense that typography can set a job apart from the ordinary, rather then relying on pictures and illlustrations. And presentation skills, are very important, if they cannot present themselves well to me, and present there work in a neat, impressive, innovative way, (portfolios always seem to be in the big black folder, when someone shows me their portfolio in a hand made box or something else, I immediately think, this person stands apart, wants to be noticed, and this is what design is about to me!) 3) And finally, they have to be a team play, wanting to contribute, not just do it on their own, they want to service the client, be helpful, no room for egos. This is very important, especially in a small design practise. Confidence is also very important "forget it" 1) if someome turns up with portfolio in a plastic bag 2) Someone who ego is so big their can barely get their head through the door. (I had a beauty earlier this year, he demanded $60k non-negotiable, then proceeded to tell me what was wrong with my design and what I was doing wrong in my business. I told him I would be really interested in hiring him for twelve months just for the challenge of getting his head head out of his arse!) 3) Someone who just sits their and waits for me to do all the talking, I like it when the applicant asks some basic questions. 4) I find it really irritating when an applicant just turns up with a CD and no printed material and just expects us to uproot and kick someone off a computer to look at their work. (this is just a personal quirk of mine) ========= Attributes separating "forget it" from "gotta have" graduates ========= [a] Readiness to learn good work practices, and become a member of the team ========= Copyright AGDA Oct 1998. AGDA
2. a well read person with a good sense of place and time
3. an enthusiastic team player.
1. Innovative design and conceptual approach (a new direction - not the latest magazine style).
2. Personality - friendliness, open-mindedness, team-spirited, respect (you spend a lot of time with these people, so you've gotta like em).
3. Technical ability (finished art - computer software & hardware knowledge)
4. Genuine enthusiasm (not just "I want to get a job" enthusiasm - but genuinely enthusiastic to make a difference. Also an enthusiasm to work in THIS studio, not just any studio, but because they've researched what we do and they like it, and want to be a part of it.
2. sense of 'type'
3. attitude,personality (are they going to fit in?)
4. a sense that the grad is willing to learn
two the ability to relate to clients appropriately
three lack of ego
2. Initiative - willingness to get involved, question and be proactive. Staff who work for us will learn new skills but we are not a training ground - this is the real world.
3. Love or passion for design - not necessarily to work, rest and play design 24 hours a day - but an enthusiasm that suggests that it is not just another job.
[b] Evidence of good time/project management skills
[c] Good creative thinking behind design concepts (which are then backed up with good visual execution)
Promo in Powerpoint slides.
