Design Salary Surveys

The 2009 Core 77 Designer Salary Survey results were posted yesterday.

If you haven't seen the other links on this topic, check out CMU's survey

And AIGA's

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Joey

Getting to No

Austin sent me this link a little while ago, and I forgot to post it. It's a bit about what types of clients are trouble. Of course, how picky you can be all depends on supply and demand. Things like unique skills, aesthetics and experience can help you tilt the balance more in your favor.

http://www.alistapart.com/articles/getting-to-no/

Speaking of differentiation, I don't agree with everything in this article on branding design firms, but it has a number of good ideas to consider: http://www.core77.com/reactor/05.06_lerner.asp

Assignment 4 - Two-minute pitch (Due 10/19)

Due October 19:

Fill in the 2minute worksheet that we handed out in class. Be prepared to deliver a two-minute pitch to your colleagues. You can download a copy of the worksheet here.

Below is an example of a two minute pitch:

I am currently a junior at Carnegie Mellon University, majoring in industrial design. I became interested in design at a young age and actually took a few college level design courses while in high school, which really helped me decide on my major.

I have excelled in all my coursework at Carnegie Mellon, while working part time, 20 hours a week, in the University Student Affairs division as a student designer. I really enjoy assisting departments and problem solving their design needs, because it is challenging and I can learn something new every day.

In addition to this, I had an opportunity to intern over the summer with XYZ Company, where I was able to contribute to major development projects, including cell phone interface design. This is an area I am particularly interested in and would like to begin my career working in this area.

In reviewing the job description for this position, I was drawn to the interface design aspects of the job because that is where I feel I would be able to make an immediate contribution. I look forward to learning more about your department and the challenges of the position.

This example is a bit stiff and very to the point, but it gives you a sense of what topics you can cover. The two-minute pitch does not have to be a hard sell; it's a introduction. Try to connect all your points to create a narrative with some overall message (e.g. I'm really into navigation system interface design). Hopefully, you know enough about the person to whom you are talking to pick topics that are of interest to him or her (e.g. they work for TomTom).

In terms of tone, aim for something that you feel comfortable saying. Don't make the tone too informal. Remember that you aren't speaking to a friend. Referring to your design brief may help you set a tone.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to comment below.

Bring your laptop to class today

Hello Everyone:

Sonjala Allen from the career center will be joining us in class today. She will be walking us through TartanTrak and the ePortfolio. It will be helpful to you if you have a laptop in class and can follow along. You are not required to have a laptop--it just will be helpful.

If you read this (or get the email about it) please spread the word!

Thanks.

Assignment 3 - Design Brief

Due 10/12 - Fill out the design brief tab in the student marketing planner Excel spreadsheet. Print out your completed design brief to hand in. Please make sure that it prints out in a legible font.

You can download the student marketing planner spreadsheet here: files.me.com/onnyc/3342t1

bid night

Onny & Tim,  I think Youna may have emailed you about this, but tonight is Bid Night for the new girls that will be going Greek this year--it starts at 8:00 pm and I was hoping that Youna's group and my group might be able to present towards the beginning of class so we can still make it to some of Bid Night. I apologize in advance for the inconvenience! Please let me know your thoughts.  Margaret

Assignment 2 - Studio Presentation and Reading (Due 9/21)

The assignments due next week (Sept 21) are as follows:

1) Read chapters 1-3 in Shel Perkins' Talent is Not Enough.

2) Before class, have someone in your studio group (formed at the end of class on the 14th) email us the name of your group, the type (full service or boutique or etc.) and the names of the group members.

3) Prepare a presentation for your group's studio. This should be a studio that you all make up but is reflective of studios of your group's type. Research existing studios and see how they brand themselves, what type of clients they have, what services they offer and so on. Make sure that your studio's profile is in line with those of real studios of the same type.

The presentation should have about 5 slides and cover:

a) branding: reflected in your logo and style of presentation slides

b) approach: how you would explain your studio to potential clients

c) services: what your studio does for clients

d) work/clients: use your own work or pictures from the web to build a believable portfolio

e) culture: how you would explain your studio to potential employees

We will be evaluating the presentations on believability and professionalism. Be prepared for questions--we will be acting as prospective clients. Consider what we covered in class about talking about design to non-designers when formulating your answers.

If you have any questions about the assignment, feel free to email us.