What difficulties did you face at the beginning of your career?
I feel I am still at the beginning of my career but what I have learned so far is letting things go and move on, opportunities come and go. If a project doesn’t happen another one will come. As a young designer it is very difficult to stay motivated and inspired but we can not give up on our dreams and fear failure. Persistence and patience are key.
What should a young designer do in order not to get hired by anybody?
Don’t do anything! Be arrogant, not thankful and not showcasing or sharing her/his work.
Are there any things you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?
I wish I knew how to start, what do to after school, how to be a freelance designer, how to get hired. I went through these simple but painful questions after school and I felt panic and maybe I considered to give up. This was all part of the process of becoming a designer and overcoming these obstacles. How do you start? Well, just DO! What to do after school? FOCUS! How to be a freelance designer? RESEARCH! How to get hired? Be polite, thankful, and be willing to learn. And one last thing: stay positive.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard enough” combine both.
Are there any rules or habits that help you do your job more efficiently?
1. Being organized! Planning your time for work and other activities is a good way to manage your duties (especially if you are a freelance designer) because you might have to work twice as hard as others.
2. Give yourself breaks or do something else than ‘work’ or design. Having a hobby is the best.
3. Learn.
2. Give yourself breaks or do something else than ‘work’ or design. Having a hobby is the best.
3. Learn.
Would you recommend some books that young designers might find useful?
3 books from 99U by Scott Belsky: Making Ideas Happen, Manage Your Day-to-Day, Maximize Your Potential.
Ricardo answered the questions on October 7, 2014.
The answers were published on October 8, 2014.
The answers were published on October 8, 2014.