- Molly Cook O'Neal (MLWGS class of 2009) spoke about her role as a graphic designer for the Richmond Times Dispatch - but, more importantly perhaps, she also spoke about her life and career journey since graduation from Maggie Walker
- Dwayne Carpenter spoke about his role as an illustrator
SAGE ADVICE GLEANED FROM THE TWO SPEAKERS*:
- "If you can draw, you can design" - Learn to draw - keep drawing - drawing helps you to brainstorm ideas quickly and to communicate those ideas with the client (btw, that's why Art 1 is a prerequisite for Topics in Digital Media classes).
- Advocate for what you want to do (Dwayne hired to design ads but wanted to do illustrations... now he does both, as well as marketing items like t-shirts, banners, and umbrellas!).
- Find YOUR right path - don't worry about what others are doing!!!
- Talk to people! Tell them what you do, what your skills are - you never know who needs what and how word of mouth can get you jobs that you didn't even know about.
- Be a perpetual student - never stop learning (BE CURIOUS) - this is how you grow. If you are not constantly learning and growing, then figure out why and fix that problem, pronto.
- Related to the above - BE VERSATILE - the more you can do, the more valuable you will be to a future employer.
- Don't be afraid of criticism (it helps you learn and grow!).
- Get involved in what you believe - this path will lead to a job that right for you.
*Please note that these words of wisdom go far beyond the realm of art...
SOMETHING TO BE CURIOUS ABOUT... What is the difference between ART and DESIGN?
HELPFUL INFORMATION: