Student Placement

It is believed that there are as many as 456,000 students within the design area. Making graphic design the second biggest course of study in universities. This was claimed by Mike Carter (2009) of Orchard Recruitment who specialise in the advertising and design area. It is thought that the industry of design has now become more competitive than ever. So competitive that it is said that the actual number of people in practice of design is as little as 49,188 (Carter, 2009)

“So you get your degree, you have a successful show and a portfolio of great work. The creative world’s your oyster but what else will you need to get to the next step?” (Sinclair, 2009).

It is believed that universities and college’s across the country could possibly be leaving their students under prepared for the working world of graphic design. It is thought that one of the main problems lies in the jump from university to the workplace (Breeze, 2009). It is thought that the majority of graduates do not possess the necessary skills required for the realities of the job. Karen Bainbridge (2009), Senior creative director of Liquid Solutions, Liverpool believes that the gap between graduates and juniors can lie in speed, basic layout and typography skills. Today professional agencies have also expressed that a big concern of theirs is that students may possibly not be doing enough commercial work this is why students are being encouraged to seek out placements within the professional industry. Many professionals believe that as little as two weeks working in a real studio environment can benefit students as this teaches them the relevant skills needed within the commercial industry.

The industry of design is undoubtedly different to the study of design because you are dealing with real clients, real briefs and with real deadlines. Professionals now believe that it is essential for students to be completing work placements. Today’s employers believe that relevant work experience is actually considered to be an important part of a persons CV (LSC, 2009). The issue being, that agencies in the future could possibly only take on those with industry experience. 

One debate that seems to crop up within student placement is payment.  ‘if your unpaid placement for 4 weeks or so that is a personal debt of £500” Craig Oldham of Music design, Manchester. Oldham asks “if you’re good at something then why shouldn’t you get paid
for it?”  Oldham also believes that you must consider which is most important to you money or being closer to your dream job? Although believing students should receive something back, Oldham says we should not forget that being a placement should never be about the money it’s about the education (2009) Many professionals believe that the minimum a student should receive is travel expenses if nothing else is offered.  In today’s climate professionals express their concerns that the financial crisis should not be a reason for the industry to turn their back on young designers (Conran, 2009). They believe this will only result in talented graduates dropping out of the industry because they simply cannot afford it. 

To prevent graduates dropping out of the industry due to financial problems it is suggested that universities and colleges could run a mandatory module during term time. Although studio experience being vital for students, professionals are now beginning to see the advantages of offering placement opportunities. Agencies believe that it can be beneficial for them as a company because it allows them the chance to know more about the outlook of today’s designers and this will also allow them to get a fresh view on design briefs. Work placements have become so successful that many companies are now beginning to train up placements to the extent that they can possibly be taken on as a full time member of staff in the future. Working in a professional design studio will help you to understand what will be required in the commercial industry and will prepare you for the realities of the job. It can now be said that graduation is not the end of a persons education, it is just the very beginning (Jonathan, 2009). 


Bibliography:
1: Bainbridge. K (2009) Interview, Liquid Solutions Liverpool.

2: Breeze. R (2009) Weblog Post Graduates: What else do they need to learn http://www.creativereview.co.uk/crblog/2009/september/question-of-th week-010909 Date Accessed: 09/08/2009.

3: Carter. M (Oct 2009) Lecture, Stockport College.

4: Conran. S (2009) Design Week.

5: Jonathan (2009) Weblog Post ‘Graduates: What else do they need to learn?’

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2009/september/question-of-th week-010909 Date Accessed: 28/01/2010.

6:Learning and Skills Council National Office (2006), Press Release, 

http://readingroom.lsc.gov.uk/lsc/National/pr401_work-experience.pdf Date Accessed: 20/12/2006.
7: Oldham. C (2009), Email Questionnaire, Date: 20/12/2009.

8: Sinclair. M (2009),Weblog Post ‘Graduates: What else do they need to learn?’

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2009/september/question-of-theweek-010909 Date Accessed: 09/08/2009.


Images: www.google.co.uk