Issues and Practices - 'Too many design graduates?'

Through my time studying a Design and Visual arts course there has been many conversations regarding the large numbers of design graduates each year. As I am approaching my graduation shortly I have thought about this issue many times and been aware of discussions involving it. I have always tried to stay positive when thinking about the competition which arises from these large number of graduates. However the completion of this blog has shown me how hard it is to get a response and contact within the design industry. Making me think about how difficult it will be to get a foot into the industry.

“Design education is complicated and I don’t really know the point of 50,000 design graduates is every year. I was external assessor for 7 years, the most challenging thing for design educators is how to stay in touch with the reality of the industry that you are preparing the students for. Its really hard when your in side an academic institution to know what the people you are preparing are going to need when they go out. The most demanding thing is equipping students with what they need when they graduate.”

Peter Saville (D&AD interview) http://www.vimeo.com/3622243

Peter Saville makes explains that he doesn't see the point in the amount of design students graduating. I think that in some cases that this is a valid point but one could argue that with the development of technology, media, computing, advertising etc. there is a need for the vast amount of design students. Not to mention the fresh young minds that will bring new concepts and ways of looking. Annie Deakin of ‘the Independent’ poses the question, “Are design students wasting their time?” from this see explains that “cynics say they’re foolish to nurture a frivolous dream of finding a job for which they train” from this opinion Annie Deakin reflects my view in that she disagrees saying “design firms need a fresh injection of youth or they run risk of becoming stagnant.”

View full article HERE

One could question, what happens to all the graduates...do they reach their dream job in the industry? Deakin, in her article moves on to explain that “if the jobs aren’t out there, graduates can go freelance.” this sounds very simple how ever one thing I realized from my a trip to London visiting Mainframe, studio aka and double negative, is that they all offer a way in which to develop in the industry (or their company). Studio aka explained that through the running system they can employ graduate who show a good eye for design and help them progress and fulfill their potential. Double negative also shared this system in employing graduates as runners so they can ultimately be fully trained in a specific area resulting in them being a strong part of the company.

One could suggest that the difference between success and failure when trying to establish your self in the industry, is the willingness to learn even after graduating. By persevering and adapting to needs within the industry such as running and junior jobs you might see your self progressing through systems similar to Studio Aka and double negative.

Some people have a negative view of design graduates and the amount of them that there is each year, referring back to Peter Saville as he says “He doesn’t see the point” in contrast to Savilles view Deakin explains that “students are aware of the especially competitive spirit of design today” I think what she is trying to say is that student are aware that they will have to work hard and be at the top of there game to reach success in the industry. In recent times I have also thought about the current state of the financial world and question how this will impact on the number of design student and the number of job opportunities. Annie Deakin concludes her report on this subject and explains “Today’s generation of graduates will be Britain’s future creative directors and if our design students give up, we’ll be caught in the headlights when the recession is over. Lest we forget, designers are problem-solvers who help us get out of pickles.”

In reflection Peter Saville and Annie Deakin both have contrasting views about the number of design students there are. My personal opinion on this subject is leaning towards the side of Deakin’s as firstly she talks more in depth about graduates in general but also because she evaluates the current situation of the economy in regards to finance and if in fact companies can even afford to take on graduates. In concluding, I feel that my own road map to successfully establishing my self as a designer will be to take a humble root through a running system in which I can gain experience and further knowledge of design. I feel that this will enable me to progress and with the right company reach my potential.

(This LINK also shows a video in which students from the UCL Bartlett School of Architecture talk about this subject. They explain that they are worried about getting a job due to the credit crunch as jobs are becoming more scarce. They also suggests moving on to study and work in different industries.)