Re: Resume vs. Portfolio

Resumes and portfolio are equally important in my eyes, but depending on the job you are going for one may be more important than the other. You'll obviously want to have the strongest and most diverse portfolio you can possible have but the resume can be a little trickier.

I essentially have my resume set up exactly like a 'normal' resume but with a section for design experience. I've never gone out for a completely 'designer' job so it has to still include everything a non designer would include. Sometimes I wish I could take the more creative route with my resume, and I may do that one day depending on the type of job I would be looking for, but right now it makes sense to keep more traditional. 

As someone who looks at resumes quite a bit, I'd say to not over look the summary or objective. There is sometime to be said about someone who can tailor their resume as well as have a good understanding of the position. I remember when I was first looking for jobs and would kind of half ass my summary, as soon as I started catering it towards the position my call backs got more frequent. And when doing interviews, I find that the more a person can actually summarize their resume the better educated they are and better they interview. Also: KEEP IT TO ONE PAGE. Design centered or not, nothing is more annoying then getting resume that is 2, 3, 4 pages long. Get what you need to convey done on one page! 

I thought this list was helpful for key words to use. Now this is probably more for resume writing if your looking for a job that is not just design, but either way its good to know what people who are not design mindful are looking for.

 

Are You Good Enough?

Happy Holiday Weekend! Between work the last three days and being glued to my bed when I'm home, this is the first opportunity I have had to post! I hope it has been an awesome holiday for everyone.
Okay now, moving on...

After our conversation in class leading us to Google, I happened to come across an article on LinkedIn called "Are you Good Enough for Google." I found this article interesting and wanted to share and use it for my blog post. If you have the time, I invite you to read it, as I did find it intriguing and thought "hey what would my classmates think about this article?" I thought it had a lot of interesting points. The main section that stood out to me is subtitled "Big Data," where he addresses bots scanning our resumes for information and the probability of getting hired by Google. He then discusses ways that we can beat the odds - essentially I don't think he is speaking just of Google, but I imagine any big name company that we may want to work at. Here is what he had to say about the use of social media:

You’ve probably heard of web analytics, but what about people analytics? Today, human capital is measured by resume robots and social media scores. This is not to say we’ve taken the ‘human’ out of human resources, but the nature of recruitment has changed.

Everything is tracked, including social media activity and the degree to which you’re already ‘connected’ to the company. Did you respond to an email? Were you late for an interview? Algorithms already predict World Series championships (Go Giants!) and fluctuations in the stock market. Why not forecast the success of one candidate over another?

Success is relative so it can be measured by almost anything, including:

• Internet Presence - Articles, blogs and social media mentions, particularly on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google+
• Past Performance - Employment background, work history, native talent and earned credentials from the applications and resumes you submit
• Personality Tests - Skill sets and behaviors can be modeled from your answers to scenario based surveys and tests

Once the data is collected, ATS goes to work. Like Google’s super secret search algorithm, no one knows how data sets are organized and analyzed, but you can bet it differs by employer and role.

My first big girl job actually came from LinkedIn, and I also received recruitment emails from companies such as Victoria Secrets, Aeropostale, and DSW, just to name a few. However, I do want my career to go into a different direction (away from retail). To read through the rest of the article it is here.

Here are my questions for you:
Do you think social media plays a huge part in the hiring process?
How do you feel about the points the author is making in this section of his post?
What sites do you focus on for social media and networking?
Do you see all social media as an avenue for a networking possibility/ career opportunity?
How important do you think it is to have a social media presence?
What are your thoughts on the article.... do you feel it is accurate? 

Re: Resume vs. Portfolio

Happy Thanksgiving!

What did you include in your design resume?

I include the basics: contact info, job experience, skills, education, etc. Like Kim, I only include about three jobs. Sometimes I exchange a few depending on the job I’m applying for. 

What did you exclude?

I try to exclude jobs that don’t directly relate to the job I’m interested in.

Did you take a traditional route or a more creative one?

After sitting down with a couple of hiring managers, I learned that content is more important than form in this case. Of course, you should use design elements that shows your personality as a designer, but that shouldn’t interfere with the message. Busy complicated designs can effect readability. I think your resume should highlight what your experiences. So my design is in between traditional and creative. 

How do you decide what should go into your portfolio and what shouldn’t?

I do the same thing for my portfolio as I do my resume, I edit it for the job I’m applying for. I have a strong background in publications design. When I’m applying to a job at a newspaper I make sure to include advertising design, layout design, and printed pieces. I won’t include as many illustrations because although they might be interested in those, thats not what they are hiring for. I consider the order as well. I spread out my strongest pieces. 

Have you started working on your portfolio?

Yes, I have a portfolio that I send out with resumes and I have an online resume. I don’t update the online version as much as I would like though. 

How long is your portfolio? (I’ve read that it should be between 8 to 12 pieces)

I try to give a sample of my work with my resume. That’s a pdf with about 6 or 7 pieces. I wasn’t a fan of sending out my work to strangers. I thought there was no opportunity to explain my process. But then I used that to my advantage. I would send work that made them want to meet so I could explain.

I used to carry a print portfolio with about 10 pieces but now I present a pdf on my iPad. I think its important to choose your strongest work to keep it short and simple. You don’t want to bore or overwhelm the employer.

What’s more important you’re resume or your portfolio?

They are equally important. Your resume will get you the interview but the portfolio can seal the deal!

Re: Resume vs. Portfolio

I am finding myself at a disadvantage since I haven't created a portfolio yet and I have a resume that isn't fit for my field...

I think both the resume and the portfolio should work together to demonstrate who you are as a designer, including your style and your process. I've looked at some of the links that were posted throughout the blog posts and I see a lot of jaw-dropping portfolios and unique resumes.

As I'm researching tips to create an award-winning resume, I wonder if there is a difference between the content that should be provided based on the career that you're looking for. Is there something that you should specifically include in your resume for a graphic design position as opposed to any other position? Or is it just the design that needs to change?

I won't be taking portfolio until Spring 2016, but I don't want to wait until then to get started on my portfolio. Anyone have any tips for someone starting out or guidelines to building a successful portfolio?



----------
What did you include in your design resume? What did you exclude?Did you take a traditional route or a more creative one?
How do you decide what should go into your portfolio and what shouldn’t?

Have you started working on your portfolio?
How long is your portfolio? (I’ve read that it should be between 8 to 12 pieces)

What’s more important: your resume or your portfolio?

Re: Resume v. Portfolio

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE! 

I actually worked with a member from Aquent who helped me revamp my portfolio website and resume. This helped me out a lot, she taught me to put my personality into them both. Hence why my resume is now pink (my favorite color) :P 

I think going to 

Off Topic: Gifts from Designers

Hey everyone,

I am looking for gifts to give people for the holidays, and I was curious if you guys knew of any sites or companies that specialize in well-designed (relatively inexpensive) products. I love giving really unique gifts that are carefully crafted.

Particularly, I am thinking about getting books or educational toys for my 6 month old nephew. I have been caught up in looking at great book design and illustration, especially for children's books, but what I have found is still too advanced for him.

Here are two great handmade books - Gobble You Up! and I Saw a Peacock with a Fiery Tail - from Tara Books. I love the style of them and I still might get them, but I wanted to find some other things for his age.

So, anyone have some suggestions for nicely designed/illustrated stuff for babies? Also, any suggestions for other ages? I plan on hunting for things on Etsy and looking at Pinterest for some ideas too.

Re: Resume v. Portfolio

Happy Thanksgiving!

First of all, it definitely shouldn't be "Resume versus Portfolio" - they each help one another and cater to specific audiences. I think it is important to have decent versions of each.

Monique, I think your new resume design looks great and it matches well with your portfolio work on Behance. Employers can see that you are creative, and that your work is clean and fits with the client's identity.

In the past two years, I redesigned my resume and my website to reflect how I've grown as a designer. I started out in undergrad with a travel website geared towards photography and writing, but then I settled down at a corporate position and neglected to travel, write or take photographs.

My resume was bland and text heavy, and my "portfolio" site was a mess of different pieces that were more personal than professional. So I had to think of a way for them to meet in the middle. I came up with my own graphic identity that reflected my work in a corporate setting, while still hinting at those personal details.

I am hesitant to share either of them (which I think is a separate conversation about all of us learning to embrace our work and gaining the confidence to show it), but they are meant to be shared, so I'll just have to get over it. Maybe some of you can give me a few suggestions.

I would say my resume is fairly conservative in terms of design resumes, but that also makes it more versatile for other jobs in communications and marketing. I created a template that I can edit for each new position. Take Jen's advice and make sure to tailor yourself to fit the job.

My resume has the standard personal information (name, phone, email, website), relevant work experience (I list three positions and I change the details depending on what type of position I am applying to), education, skills, and awards and publications. For work experience, I have learned that it is important not only to list what you do, but also the benefits of what you do. For instance, I manage an ecommerce site and handle all of the product photography for my current workplace, which is something that I would include on my resume. But really, the important thing is that since I joined the team, online sales have increased by over 80%. Those are the details that make you more desirable to potential employers!

This article on the 7 Secrets of a Successful Marketing Resume (they're not secrets, and they are definitely not limited to just marketing), was helpful for me. Some takeaways: You are the product that you are selling, know your unique value, and don't try to say too much.


I include the link to my website on the resume and in my email/cover letter, even for non-design positions.

I definitely feel like my website can use some work, but I have learned over the years that having something is better than having nothing. In the past few months I have been trying to post more often with projects and ideas from classes. Since we are doing all the work, we might as well take the time to show it off! I do limit my portfolio to pieces that I am proud of and that I feel convey my unique style.

That being said, my online portfolio is a lot more extensive than the suggested 8 to 12 pieces. I'm not sure if that is good or bad, but it probably ends up being both. On one hand, you can customize your resume based on the job, but you can't really do that with your electronic portfolio, so it seems better to include more. On the other hand, employers don't want to spend a lot of time sifting through content that is not relevant to the position. To combat that, my portfolio is divided into groupings, such as Print, Web, Identity, and Photography.

I am curious, however, if designers often include pdf samples of their work in addition to their resume. In applying for a few graphic designer positions at UB, Stevenson, and UMCP, I feel like I have been at a disadvantage because my resume itself doesn't show of much of my design abilities, and the folks reading the resumes are definitely not going to click through to every website. Has anyone run into this before? Is there a good way to work around it?

Also, does anyone use business cards? Do you consider those a part of your resume/portfolio/freelancing?

Re: Resume vs. Portfolio...

I have to agree with Carolyn, I have found both resume and portfolio equally important. I did a bit of research around this time last year about "jazzing up" my resume. I wasn't successful in making it as awesome, as some that I have seen, but I was able to make it better (I thought) than before. However, it was recently that I have heard from others what Jen pointed out which is the resume needs to be easy to scan (which would be a nice entry into my blog post for next week.. but still not sure if I'm going to do it).

How do you decide what should go into your portfolio and what shouldn't?
Well, there are some pieces that I have kept in there since my undergrad. Honestly, my portfolio probably needs a major overall. I also wasn't aware there was the 8-12 pieces rule, but I have also switched to sending a weblink instead of anything via email.

Have you started working on your portfolio?
Yes, I have. There is a lot to be done though for the newer pieces I want to add in.

How long is your portfolio?
Much longer than the 8-12 pieces, but I have gotten down quite a bit from what it used to be.

Sorry this is short.. I'm currently rocking a nasty head cold.

Re: Resume v. Portfolio

My resume is completely out of date, and I haven't even worked on one that's specific to design positions, so take this with that grain of salt. I think both the resume and the portfolio are important for different reasons, and depending on what kind of position you're applying for (watch out, as this will become a theme, I believe).

If the position is a permanent position within a company, design or otherwise, the resume might be more important than if the position is freelance. Granted, this is entirely anecdotal on my part, but I get the impression that online portfolios and word-of-mouth/networking can drive more contacts for freelance work. With a permanent position in an organization or company, the resume seems more important since that (and don't forget cover letters/emails!) will be the first impression you make with the hiring manager. So, my post is pretty much entirely about resumes.

Ultimately, though, for me, what's included in a resume (and cover letter) and how it looks DEPENDS. It depends on the position. It depends on the company you're applying to. It depends on you doing your research about them. It depends on your being able to show them that you can give them what they want, or what they need, and that you can do that efficiently. You can't just have one resume that you send for all design jobs. Every time I've applied for positions, I've edited my resume and my cover letter for each position with each organization/company/school. I'll have a default for each type of position, saved as something like "JenniferTaylor_Resume_Communications" and "JenniferTaylor_Resume_Teaching," but then I tweak that template for each job, paying close attention to the language in each different opening's description.

As cool as the resume designs that you linked to look, Monique, I'd be wary of going too far into that "ultra-designed" look for a resume. If you want your portfolio and business cards/identity to be super cool, that's fine, but with resumes, I'd err on the side of being a bit more straightforward, and here's why: there's not always a person deciding which resumes will earn a call/interview. Sometimes it's a computer program scanning for key words; that's probably not an issue for smaller design or creative groups, but the larger the employer, the more likely the system is automated in some way. Even if it's a person deciding, though, there's the statistic that employers look at your resume for about seven seconds before they decide whether to throw it away or not; no matter the job, the resume needs to be easy to scan. I'm not sure all of those 50 qualify as easy to scan.

Also, I'm curious when this [the hongkiat list] was posted (I can't find a date for it, which is problematic with something online for me) because it seems like the infographic-style resume hit a peak about two years or so ago and has lost some of its appeal. How does a hiring manager know what it means that Zhi Liang has 5 pencils worth of skill at InDesign? The ones on here that I find useful are those that seem more personalized, that show something of the designer's aesthetic and/or personality, but for all of them, I'm curious--these are linked to behance sites, so did any of these get the designer a job/position/contract? Read: I'm skeptical. Here's a post from Forbes.com in which three hiring managers and heads in advertising, branding and design talk about whether creative resumes get people jobs/interviews at their firms; this is from 2012 so maybe it's outdated, but I think most of it still applies. So whether a creative resume is working DEPENDS. Again, ultimately, I think your resume should be what works for you and for the company you're aiming for:

I'm also skeptical because as tastes have changed, so have templates. This company will sell you a slick designy resume template as a .psd or an InDesign file. Do you want to see the "41 Best Resume Templates Ever"? Well, The Muse has them for you. Presumably, hiring managers have the same Google that I do, so they can see these, as well. Again, ultimately, the resume is about content more than design; of course it's an opportunity to show what you can do, but I think it's more important to show that you're aware that they're looking at hundreds of these so you want their experience to be quick and easy through clean, organized, well-thought-out, typographically sound design.

Here are some resume-related links that I find helpful:
AIGA: Ten Common Mistakes in Resumes and Cover Letters
An Editor's Guide to Perfecting your Resume
And the previously-mentioned Forbes post, Will a Graphic Resume Get You the Job? The Experts Respond

Another thing to consider: a friend of mine who has a job and wasn't actively looking for one (though this is in a different field than communications/design) was recently recruited into a search for a position through LinkedIn. While I think LinkedIn is generally a good site to be on professionally, there are also other sites like Behance, dribbble, Coroflot, and Talent Zoo that cater to communications- or design-related fields. I'm always curious how effective those might be for connecting people who are hiring to people with the skills they need.

Off topic - An interesting article on how to charge for design work

http://www.fastcodesign.com/3038902/the-case-against-paying-designers-by-the-hour

Re: Resume Versus Portfolio

It's funny that you bring up resumes--I'm actually in the process of redesigning mine for an internship application (and just in general), so links to creative resumes are definitely appreciated! Pinterest has some good ones too.

I wouldn't prioritize resume over portfolio, or vice versa; I think both are equally important in a job application (people do want to see where you've been, after all). On the one hand a resume acts as a quick summary of what you've been up to in the professional world, but on the other hand a portfolio will tell someone more about your work than a resume will. Main message: don't neglect either. Treat both as equally important. In general I would assume that some people will prefer to look at a resume and others a portfolio, and they should all be accommodated in either case.

What did you include in your design resume?
Name, contact information, education, and anything even vaguely industry-related (e.g., I am including a non-design internship that required me to work with a CMS because I have had exactly one design-related job). I'm also toying with the idea of including a picture, which I've seen on others' design resumes--may or may not go through with it. Tbh I'm kind of stuck. Another thought I had was to draw my picture (in place of using a photo), which will demonstrate illustration and Photoshop skills.

What did you exclude?
Physical address. My current design includes a physical address, but I read that including an address might cause you to be eliminated from some jobs based on how far away you are, and whether you might need more time/money to relocate.

Did you take a traditional route or a more creative one?
Initially a more traditional one (I was applying mostly to secretary jobs and such), but I'm taking a more creative route atm.

How do you decide what should go into your portfolio and what shouldn’t?
Uhh. It's pretty bloody arbitrary, actually. "Do I like this? Yes, I do," or "No, I don't." That's pretty much my selection process.

Have you started working on your portfolio?
Not unless you count Behance, which I don't.

How long is your portfolio? (I’ve read that it should be between 8 to 12 pieces)
It's out of date so I don't know how large the final one would be, but I haven't heard about any size constraints, so I didn't realize that 8-12 was an ideal number. It makes sense to limit yourself if you're emailing the portfolio as a pdf or whatever, but on the other hand if the portfolio is web-based I would prefer to have all my work up there for people to browse.

How did you orient your design work?
I'm not sure what you mean by "orient," but the pieces I would choose for my portfolio would be mostly the quirkier ones (people might as well know what they're getting) and a few of the serious ones for the more humorless employers out there (and also to demonstrate that I know how to design within specific branding guidelines).

Resume Versus Portfolio: What's more important?

Hey guys, 

I don’t know about everyone else but I’m coming to the end of my time here at UB and I’ve been thinking about what’s more important to my success after graduation, my resume or my portfolio.

Resume

Now I understand that a good portfolio is what will set you apart from other designers, but what’s a good portfolio if your resume never gets you in the door to show it. A little while after I started this program I designed a secondary resume for the creative work that I’ve done which is completely different from my actually work experience and I’m not sure if its relevant to add those experiences or not because they don’t really have anything to do with design work and I’ve been going back and forth trying to decide should you separate work experience that has nothing to do with design or incorporate them both.

In doing some research about what I should be doing to beef up my resume and portfolio. I’ve found myself reading lots of articles about the subject and in one of the articles I read. The Creative director said that new designers have a tendency to over design their resume because they want to grab the attention of the decision maker instead of showcasing their achievements, capabilities and work history.

Things I got from articles I’ve read:

  Focus on Clarity

 Explore Different Formats

 Utilize social media

So the question is.

What did you include in your design resume?

What did you exclude?

Did you take a traditional route or a more creative one?

Here are some awesome resume designs: Resume Designs

Before and After My Resume.

       

Portfolio

On the other hand my portfolio. I have been piecing together my portfolio for the entire time that I have been here and it seems like any time I feel like I’m getting it together. I have to rip it apart. I feel like my portfolio is supposed to be this amazing amalgamation of design work.  That only the strongest, perfect, meaningful designs should be incorporated (basically kill your darlings).  But then I look at other peoples design portfolios and boy do they get you depressed.

So my questions are…

How do you decide what should go into your portfolio and what shouldn’t?

Have you started working on your portfolio?

How long is your portfolio? (I’ve read that it should be between 8 to 12 pieces)

Here are some awesome portfolio designs:

http://ryanscherf.net

http://www.imtawn.com

http://www.stevenbonner.com/work/

http://www.andypatrickdesign.com/#!prettyPhoto

Final Question:

What’s more important you’re resume or your portfolio?

Re: Design for Good

Hey guys, I'm a little late but wanted to chime in on this discussion. Designing for a greater good/ or just designing in general can make a huge difference. Sometimes design can be so powerful that we change our views on some issue/topic OR at the very least it brings much need attention to whatever issue/topic. Either way it makes a difference. 

 

I don't personally know  much about designing for social change, as I have never had to do work for someone/something like that, however I think its important to be open to it as a designer.

 

If I had unlimited time and resources I would be interested on working on a social campaign about addiction. There is a large social assumption about what addiction/alcoholism is and the public needs to be more informed in order to help the issue and get people treated.

Re: Design for Good

Well, now I feel ready to change the world! I think this is a good reminder of how design can make a difference. Living in the DC area, I see social campaigns all the time. A lot of non profits create campaign to advocate for everything from social issues to politics to healthcare. 

I took Information Design with Jeanne last year. In that class, we had a social campaign assignment. We had to create a series of posters for the metro on a social  topic of our choice. I chose the topic of sleep deprivation. To Kim's point, it was hard to create campaigns that didn't feel exploitative. We had to research quite a bit to be sure we had accurate, objective information. Several of the photos and language in the first drafts were nixed for being the wrong tone. It was a great challenge. If anyone cares, here are my posters. 

It is interesting to see how designers are being utilized in new ways. Makes me excited. 

Re: Design for Good

Do you think design can make a difference?

Yes! I believe design can definitely make a difference. Take for instance the picture I have added below. I'm quite sure many of us have a Facebook account and we see often many ads on people beating cancer, violence and all sorts of obstacles. Not to mention the countless children we see daily who are starving, in need of medical attention and who are orphans. I believe this message is very powerful because a like may spread the word but it seems to spread the word to gain likes rather than donating to the cause to prevent these types of situations from occurring. 

LIKING ISN'T HELPING CAMPAIGN 

Here's another example I came across

What do you know about designing for social change?

 I know a lot about social change but not as much about designing for social change. I've been apart of countless workshops and programs that spreads social change for you and young adults. Imagery is differently important to reach that audience as well as the audience that constantly has a negative perception on youth and young adults today. 

If you had unlimited time and resources, what kind of social campaign would you be interested in working on?

I would be interested in working on campaigns that focus on youth and young adult development. I've always had a passion for  helping my peers and other children and youth create a voice for themselves. Many people have negative perceptions on youth simply because of the media. But people fail to realize is that the media doesn't show all of the good that youth and young adults are capable of. I am also interested in working on campaigns that involve community outreach that decreases the increasing number of hungry people along with homelessness. 

Re: Design for Good

Jen, you had a great response to Sharmia's post this week about the disadvantages of an mismanaged social campaign. I remember when the Kony 2012 campaign plagued social media sites with users impulse to bandwagon without fully understanding the purpose of the entire campaign. This also reminded me of a similar campaign, "Bring Back our Girls," which didn't have as much of an impact a Kony 2012, but was still a public outcry for change.

However, this campaign definitely lacked good design and organization, and I don't really think it would have been successful regardless. During this age of social media, it's difficult to target audiences because they won't take the next step beyond using a hashtag or sharing a link.

I think social change is a very noble use of design skills, and I think that getting behind a great campaign would make a great pair. I can't really think of any at the moment, but I'm sure there are some really good ones...

RE: Design for Good

I've been kind of sick all week, so it's another brief response.

I think design is really important when it comes to social change. Bad design can kill a movement before it starts. And good design really makes a difference (like the signature style of President Obama's first presidential campaign).

I think that working pro bono if you really believe in the cause can be worth it. Especially if no one's getting paid. But taking on a major design role in a non-profit for no pay is not the way to go.

Re: Design for Good

Do you think design can make a difference?
Yes, I think design can make a huge difference! When I was an manager, I loved doing community events, and a lot of time - I ended up doing my own posters as announcements since the templates for the one provided for work where very generic. I loved it, and felt like it helped made a difference in getting peoples attention for the cause my location was supporting! As for pro-bono work, I have actually taken on a couple, that I am looking forward to for the control over the creative design!

What do you know about designing for social change?
Not much honestly, at least I haven't had the full opportunity to apply my talents in that way. But, one day I hope to.. knowing my work is helping capture attention for an organizations cause.

If you had unlimited time and resources, what kind of social campaign would you be interested in working on?
I would be interested in working on anything to do with mental illness or children, or both!

Re: Design for Good

This is going to be super short—sorry—but design for good is what I'm in pursuit of. I have always been super creative, and I've struggled with feeling like creative work is indulgent.

That's why I think this program at MICA sounds really cool. It's called Social Design. Check it out..

Re: Design for Good

Do you think design can make a difference?
Design can DEFINITELY make a difference. As Carolyn stated, this was evident in the "Brand Identity" post from last week. Not designing with a clear purpose and without an audience in mind can make or break your design.

What do you know about designing for social change?
I know a minimal amount about designing for social change. I've seen various campaigns that were directed towards a change in social behavior that truly made me think. That said, I find that those designs are the most intriguing. The viewer is made to question what is being presented to them and how they relate to the image. For designers and curious souls alike, it is intriguing to analyze how the image was created and the thought process utilized. For that exact purpose I have included the one one below:

If you had unlimited time and resources, what kind of social campaign would you be interested in working on?
Greenpeace's “Do You Know What You Eat?” campaign always comes to mind whenever I think of social campaigns. Said campaign was created to inform consumers about the genetically modified plants problem. It was done by designing plants into the shape of various insects (the text reads: Do you know what you eat?: The DNA of genetically modified plants may contain the genes of insects, animals or even viruses. These products may potentially cause harm to your health. Look for the GMO Free sign on the package). I found it interesting how the designers combined the plants with the harmful objects, therefore I would be interested in working on said campaign (shown below).

Re: Design for Good

Re: Design for Good

Sharmia, I am so glad you posted this topic because I've been thinking about it a lot recently.

I think Jen makes some good points about thinking more about the ideals of the organization and less about just designing for the sake of design. Even though the Signs for the Homeless were neatly designed and eye-catching, my first thoughts were that the designers and photographers were almost exploiting the homeless population for the sake of the project. I am sure that they went into it with good intentions, but the before and afters just make me feel a little bit uncomfortable. It's as if we as designers are trying to beautify everything in the world, covering up the problems and making them look better, instead of trying to find actual solutions. Maybe that's me being a little harsh, but it is a I do believe it is a fairly sensitive subject. What do you guys think?

On the other hand, I think that designers with a good understanding of concept and strategy can make a lot of difference in the non-profit world. I am actually a strong believer in pro bono work for a couple of reasons.

First of all, there are great organizations that do not have always have the funding to work with someone who understands their vision and can creatively convey their information to the public. This is where we start getting the embarrassing campaigns that do more harm than good. In many cases, I feel like a well thought out project from me would be more helpful to an organization than using that time to volunteer on the front lines (although I do like to do both). If my efforts can engage more volunteers or donors while also advancing the mission, than I feel like I am doing my part.

Secondly, it is a great networking opportunity. I try to do one or two projects with non-profits each semester. As a fairly introverted person, I usually find networking very hard. When I give myself a task to complete, I become so much more motivated and I end up meeting a lot of new people. As Sharmia said, the organizations are usually so grateful, they are open to a lot more. As a business strategy, I try to offer up smaller projects as pro bono, giving organizations a taste of my work and hinting at other opportunities for their growth down the line. And when you deliver something great, they will usually pass your name along (hopefully to clients with more of a budget).

Lastly - and Sharmia touched on this too - you get great portfolio pieces because it is usually something that you really care about and invest in. If you decide to do pro bono work, try to think strategically about what you need in your portfolio and what organizations may be able to lead you to the career of your dreams. Personally, I am interested in working as a creative director for an independent or charter school, so I am currently working on pro bono projects with schools that cannot afford certain design resources. Personally, I am also a huge animal-lover and a believer in local food, so I take on some projects with farms, shelters, healthy-eating initiatives, etc. Those I feel are more about character building, and as part of my portfolio they are great conversation starters.


Also learn when to say no, and how to articulate it professionally.


I'd love to hear what everyone else thinks about this.

Re: Design for Good

I'm one of those designers who look down on pro bono work (except for family), but you raise a good point: I think the difference is largely between the good feeling that comes with volunteering your work and the annoyance that comes with being volunteered. (If we were plumbers, would anybody ask us for a free "sample"?)

Do you think design can make a difference?
Absolutely! I don't know that design can literally make or break a campaign (there's a lot of campaigns out there with fertilizer for design), but it helps to present yourself well. As we discussed in the Brand Identity posts, consumers are subconsciously drawn to strong design--though I doubt if many of them would shun an organization using Comic Sans on its website.

What do you know about designing for social change?
Absolutely nothing.

If you had unlimited time and resources, what kind of social campaign would you be interested in working on?
I would probably want to work on something that promotes (real) feminism in a playful way to sort of retrain the public, specifically those who equate feminism with crazy unshaven man-haters. According to Wicked Clothes, feminism is "the radical notion that women are people"; I couldn't have put it better myself. Ideally the campaign would promote equal treatment and debunk the idiotic notion that feminism places women's rights above men's.

Re: Design for Good

I think that design as a field appeals to a certain kind of person who sees problems and wants to make things better, so I’d say it’s likely that we all think that design can make a difference. But what I’d like to ask is how it makes a difference or why—for me, there’s a direct connection between design and education or learning. And I’m going back to Dewey here, which may not have made sense as a design philosophy at first glance, but the idea that every interaction with others, with the world around us, is an opportunity for learning, a potentially educable experience, I think that idea is fundamental to design. Only through a structure or format that supports the desired communication will the audience/viewer have an educable experience [opening the audience/viewer to more learning and engagement] as opposed to a mis-educable one [closing the audience/viewer off to further experiences].

So, I don’t necessarily think that pro-bono work is the only way to contribute to positive social change. Obviously, it’s a great way to do so, and yes, we all get a surge from altruism. BUT I think that any design project, if approached with care and compassion, can be a force for change for the better, and any design project, if approached without research or understanding of the audience, can fall flat. I’m not saying that I always think through the consequences of my design decisions—or that it’s possible to do all the time, but I do think it’s worthwhile to start making an effort to do more than just meet the design brief, whether that brief is specifically for a social campaign or not.

To be honest, I’m wary of social campaigns in general. Maybe I’m too cynical, but I think successful social campaigns are few and far-between; the ones that work, I think, are locally-focused, though, and stem from the designer’s/content creator’s understanding of the community being served.

When that doesn’t happen, when the content creators are so concerned with doing good that they forget the message, or the people they’re working for, in their push to do good, you may end up with something that looks really cool but is mis-educable. Consider the controversy over InvisibleChildren’s Kony 2012 campaign, which earned worldwide recognition, thus achieving their mission. But how much good was that mission? They were criticized for over-simplifying the situation, encouraging western audiences to contribute to a western charity instead of one created by Ugandans working more directly with the Ugandan people, working with corrupt government officials, and providing misinformation about the state of the conflict, including ignoring the fact that Kony hadn’t been in Uganda for six years by that point. And why make a warlord famous so that everyone knows his name instead of the names of the people whose lives he ended, or the people who have survived and made a difference in their own country? It was a wonderfully-designed campaign, and got all kinds of attention, but was it really in the best interests of the people it said it was helping? For me, if the information isn’t accurate, it doesn’t matter how many people like the video on Facebook; you’re doing a disservice to your audience, and therefore your cause.

One example of considering positive social impact that I read about a while ago now, but that Sharmia’s initial post made me think of, is Aaron Mickelson’s thesis project from Pratt Institute about the “disappearing package.” He designed options for turning a product into its own package so that once you’ve used the product, you don’t have an empty box or container to throw away. I don’t know if sustainable, eco-friendly, design was what you had in mind, Sharmia, but I find the possibilities of different materials and inks interesting as possibilities for making our work more beneficial. I love looking at projects designing packages with compostable materials or recyclables, but this idea is even more exciting—that the package dissolves or is used up with the product so that there isn’t anything left over even to recycle. (True, that’s not the case for the trash bags, but for the tea or the Tide pods.) It makes the point that improving things and being more aware of impact might not be a huge leap, but just a different way of thinking. And we’re back to design supporting education and change through new ways of thought. 

Re: Design for Good

Do you think design can make a difference?

Yes, I believe design can make a huge impact on how something is received. It could be conversation starter or grab your attention to make you more aware of the issue at hand. For example, Signs for the Homeless where designers remade the signs of the homeless to help bring more awareness to the problem. 

 

What do you know about designing for social change?

It is something that I would love to experience. I believe in making a difference and helping others and if my talents can be used to do so, I'm all for it.

 

If you had unlimited time and resources, what kind of social campaign would you be interested in working on?

A social campaign that would provide hope to the hopeless, letting them know they are not alone and others do care. Providing support, counseling, resources, housing, education, training, employment, etc. for an entire family who has been impacted by addiction.

Design for Good

Hi all! 

As designers, we can get caught up in the crazy cycle of research, projects, deadlines, and clients. Many of us don’t take on projects if we are not earning wages or a grade. But every once in a while we think how can I use my skills for the greater good? How can I make a difference using graphic design? So we take on pro-bono jobs. 

Many might look down on pro-bono work. Some think that it’s just working for free. I disagree. There’s a difference between being taking advantage of and volunteering your services. For one, there’s not a lot of pressure. Most organizations will be so happy that you’re willing to help that they’ll work around your schedule. They’ll give you complete creative control over the design. It’s your chance to think outside of the box and do something motivating and exciting. Something you are passionate about. An awesome portfolio piece. And to put the icing on the cake, you will feel good. Most of us feel better when we’re doing things for others. Using your talent and skills to motivate change will make you feel amazing.

I’ve been thinking about this kind of work for awhile now. I’m currently at a conference where I’m using my skills to help solve design problems within a couple of different religious organizations. It’s not easy! But I definitely feel like I’m making a difference.

Links

Pro-bono jobs

AIGA Social Change Initiative 

Designing for Social Change Book

Designing for Social Change TED talk

Impact

Questions

Do you thin design can make a difference?

What do you know about designing for social change?

If you had unlimited time and resources, what kind of social campaign would you be interested in working on?

RE: Brand Identity

Hello!

Who do you know that has a strong brand identity? 
The first brand that comes to mind is McDonald's - the yellow arches are known all over the world. Next is Coca-Cola and Tiffany's. When it comes to Coca-Cola, the typeface is very well-known. When it comes to Tiffany's, once you see that shade of blue, you automatically think of Tiffany's.

Do you know anyone or anything that has failed to create a strong brand identity? 
I actually cannot think of failed brands. One thing does cross my mind would be failed attempts at re-branding. The most prominent would be when Pepsi tried to re-brand and it turned out looking like this:

 

Without the head, legs, arms and navel of course :)

Do you think consumers even realize why they are attracted to someone or something with a strong brand identity?
I don't think that consumers realize why they are attracted to something with a strong brand identity. Some may take note of the aesthetics, such as the color and typeface, others may only take note when in use.