Okay, Team! A Young Designer's Guide.

Indiana State University Professor Nancy Nicols-Pethick joins the team to talk shop and how she uses her unique experiences to push students to find passion in their work, learn how to address failures, and recognize how to aim for higher personal standards rather than settling for their current skill level. We cover mastering creative foundations, work/life balance, and, of course, her thoughts on AI. Join us and our wonderful guest as we discuss art, passion, and finding creativity in the seemingly mundane. Nancy's Website Through the Eyes of an Artist - Nancy Nichols-Pethick Amazon Affiliate Link: Why Art Cannot Be Taught: A Handbook for Art Students Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, the Team talks about accessibility and design. Guest host Lauren DeMarks talks about user experience (UX) design and the spectrum of use cases for ensuring equitable experiences regardless of temporary or long-term physical disabilities. Show Notes: Overall, what does it mean to have accessible design? What’s the difference between Accessibility and usability? Usability issues generally affect all users, both users with and without disabilities. All users have difficulty using a website. Accessibility issues occur solely for people with disabilities when they have difficulty using or accessing a website without problems. Accessibility is important in ALL silos of design Digital Print design? Curb cut - Physical products Teaching Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode guest host Lauren DeMarks joins the Team as talks about ways to level up as a graphic designer. Show Notes: What does it mean to “level up?” Tangible markers of successful leveling up: feeling more confident Anecdotes & Story Time! Advice: If you feel stuck or like you don’t know what to DO to actively level up as a designer, here are some useful tips! Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, guest Crystal Black talks about issues related to doing design work for friends and the pitfalls of not using a contract. Egg Timer News: Canva buys Affinity! Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team attempts to stay on task and talk about work-life balance for Graphic Designers. Show Notes: General Overview Specific Situations Lifestyle choices that affect your productivity Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team explore different software used in professional graphic design. Show Notes: Today we’re going to address a question we get all the time: “There are SO many programs, what do I really need to learn?!” Let’s cover some of the big ones: Buckets Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team explores the graphic design interviewing process and the tough questions and situations that may arise during the process. Show notes: Interview Questions, Answers, and Etiquette. Not every question ever, just some of the hard ones! Other questions: Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode The Team Interviews UX Designer Lauren DeMarks! Lauren talks about her time as a design student, intern, and Senior UX Designer. Show Notes: Working as a designer in a very specific niche and how I adjusted out of school apprehensive about diving right into edtech right out of college because it sounded kind of limiting on its face, but really it’s been a lot of funalso probably more common for designers to see than they thinkIt’s also just the reality for any designer that ends up being an in-house designerThey’re going to have to become familiar with a specific vertical or industryYoung designers could just kind of naturally gravitate toward the more sexy-sounding agency jobs but there’s a lot out there outside of that!A few questions for Lauren: Topic: being ok with going into a very niche career right out of school? Introduce yourself! How did you find this job? Is this your first job? How do you build and maintain excitement about working within a specific industry—especially one you didn't expect to be working in? How did you adjust to working within a niche? What did you have to do to adjust in your role that you might not have expected when you got into edtech?How and what skills can transfer from one industry to another? How do I communicate and show those skills to future employers? Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team chats about the positive and negative influences of Artificial Intelligence on Graphic Design and Design Education. Show Notes: With all the new technology, HOW do I become a designer worthy of being hired? Practice: Don’t be afraid to suck at something “You’ve got to be a disaster before you’re a master” ~Pat Flynn Trying is more important than succeeding Your Brain: Research: Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team answers listener questions, discusses ImagineFX Magazine, and finally answers the question, "Does Kristen own a tiara?" Time stamp information: (07:41) How do you overcome imposter syndrome when starting your job?(08:24) I'm going to be a new designer going into the field after getting married, my partners job often has us relocate to different states semi- often. How do I search for jobs and communicate my situation without making myself seem like a weakness/ liability?(10:56) What is the best way to deal with not being graded for the first time? (i.e. how do you measure success without a letter grade?)(12:22) Can you talk about the equipment you use in your line of work? For starters, laptop vs desktop? Mouse vs trackpad? Etc. (17:22)What are some good goals to set when starting out in your first year of work?(19:17) How do you guys go about, deal with, and take the next step after making a costly design mistake at your job?(22:55) What are some projects that you were not sure about taking on, but you're glad you did because it turned out cool/the experience was great?(25:15) How do you deal with disappointments and failures in your career, with yourself and clients you might be working with?How do you deal with disappointments in your career? When something doesn't go perfect I take it very personally, how do you get over the disappointment?(26:29) Is it OK to add your own personal touch to a piece that some believe should be done a certain way? (something personal like a mark or a shape that only the artist would know or even realize was there.)(30:09) What does your typical work flow look like and do you work on more than one project at a time?(33:00) For someone pursuing a career in graphic design, what are employers looking for in a portfolio? How many different projects should be included? Do employers want to see sketches/before and afters? Is there such thing as too much in a portfolio? Is creating your own website to display your work better than some of the portfolio building apps (apps such as Behance)?(35:49) What will my first day on the job be like?(37:22) I love my job, and the co-workers and benefits are great, but im feeling bored. What should I do?(39:44) I’m ready to change jobs. How do I go about scheduling interviews while still working at my current job?(41:40) I’m a design student discouraged by my professors’ negative talk of the profession. So I want to ask you: do love the work, why? and how to stay motivated and driven? (45:34) What should I expect my boss to talk about in my first year review? (47:22) How should I address my superiors at work?(48:19) I see a lot of job listings that only mention Canva as their main program. I find that program very limiting both creatively and aesthetically. Do I just apply for these jobs so I can get a paycheck and experience or do I hold out for a job that is more in the world of adobe products?(51:38) How do you give critique that is honest, but not hurtful?(53:29) What are the top three things new designers should be really good at?Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team covers salary negotiating techniques, cost of living considerations, and how to calculate how much you should ask for when negotiating your salary for a graphic design job! Show Notes: Negotiate a SalaryKnow your worth Set up a realistic budget for your living expenses (50/30/20 rule) https://www.nerdwallet.com/cost-of-living-calculatorDo your homework: https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Jobhttps://www.creativecircle.com/salary-guide/?utm_source=DSMN8&utm_medium=LinkedInOther things to consider: Negotiate a Salary: Tips and Tricks In an interview: Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode The Team explores how and why designers should catalog their successes in order to become more confident and well-rounded in their careers. Show notes: Purpose: Types of Success: Places to Brag: Opportunities for new Success: Content to Consider: Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode The Team talks about what they do to overcome creative ruts, advice on coming up with unique ideas, and how the struggle to be original is actually positive for you. Show Notes: Let’s talk about something that I’m sure is on everyone’s mind, especially as we are getting closer and closer to the holidays: Getting in and out of a creative rut. Or even, just avoiding burnout. Creative rut/burnout and how most people find themselves in it. Generally, a rut can be just a complete lack of creative juices flowing. At the start of a new project when you are just staring at a blank piece of paper and don’t know where to start. Brainstorming & creative process Where you look for/find inspiration Big picture problem, move into smaller. Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team discusses what it's like to be a freelance Graphic Designer with cohost Dan Lawson. Show Notes: High Level Overview Dive deeper into the nitty gritty/less-glamorous side Most Common Questions from Students: Dan, any last pieces of advice for young designers hoping to make it on their own as a freelance designer? Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, The Team examines the career path to becoming a college-level educator in Graphic Design. We talk about degree requirements, expectations on the job, and just how easy/difficult it is to land one of these positions at various institutional levels! Show Notes: Deep Dive Educator Levels: Application: Differences in CV vs. Resume Interview Process (What to expect) Differences in process What they hopefully shouldn’t ask you Unexpected Responsibilities ?? (committees, curriculum building, recruitment, advising, etc) Differences between Agency and Education? Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode the Team continues the discussion about career paths in Graphic Design, what makes each career path unique, and provides advice that may help you decide if a specific discipline is right for you! Buckets of Design Jobs: There are ways to drill down even further, but this is a high-level view of the different directions you can take your career! Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode Mark Cela, Kristen Pericleous, and Dan Lawson begin a two-part discussion about education and career paths for graphic designers. The conversation covers the positives and negatives of higher education, and what types of degrees designers may consider for different career paths. Show notes: Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson

In this episode, the team discusses the moment each of them knew Graphic Design was the correct career path for them. Show Notes: Host, Producer, & Editor - Mark Cela Host, Director, & Script Writer - Kristen Pericleous Host, Social Media Manager, Social Media Content Creator, & Editor - Dan Lawson