Too many design students, not enough space in the inn? An unsettling and weighty statement hovering over every current bright eyed and bushy tailed graduate. That to a degree depends on our (students) definition and/or interpretation. We can either be disheartened about the fact that we may never get a job in the agency that every fucker brown noses or wise up and be provoked to knuckle down and work bloody hard to get where we aspire to be. "It's not where your going, it's where your at" (Ian Brown). Tom Shaughnessy of Glorious sums the matter (for me) rather well, "if your good enough, you'll get the job. Simple as".
A staggering post published before Christmas on the online Independent denotes "brace to find another line of work" say practising fat cats to design students. The remark is on reflection somewhat justifiable. In light of the current economic downturn. On the 12 March 2009 Peter Saville at a Q&A on 'whats wrong with design education' denotes "there is too big a supply of young designers and far too many people creating mediocre work". A sentiment echoed throughout the professional field and a somewhat call to action to us, the students. I may be deluded or high on cellulose thinners? but for me it is not about money or the space. It is about the quality of the work and the amount of sheer graft we are willing to put in. Too many pot noddle students believe graphic design to be easy and a shore thing with a shiny red porsche waiting at the end of the rainbow. They're inevitable crackers, in it for the wrong reasons and living in fairy land. So 'is there enough passion in design?' i ask myself, perhaps, but probably not (my opinion).
Whilst some firm realism in a diseased economy is without doubt appropriate, it appears a slightly tired and easy response. A recent Design Week article written by managing director Ian Cochrane of the Ticegroup suggests future graduates should go work in restaurants rather than aspiring to get jobs designing them. Avoiding designer as a profession if possible. Which is all well and good coming from seemingly well established practitioner, but rather of putting to one still studying. There is a feeling of egotism present, and not from Saville or Cochrane to which the argument (for me) has arisen; i mean the design profession as a whole. An inflexible pecking order between the established and the students.
What to do next? is a question no one seems to have the answer to. Quit design and flip burgers, aim for an alternative field of the creative spectrum or soldier on? There are too many professional practitioners voicing the opinion that we should all just "pack up" because we are simple not good enough. According to recent figures/calculations published by the office for National Statistics, each sector of the current economy reported a dramatic fall of vacancies last quarter. Chartered Institute of Personnel chief economist Dr John Phipott denotes, "this looks to be a job recession favouring the over-50's" preceding the younger population.....Great.
The fact of the matter is, we as design students are embarking into an extremely competitive field, but if we are passionate about the arts we should love it for what it is and literally have to do it as a necessitate. Rather than the potential profit it could possible generate. Akin to a journalist or professional athlete, design is tough to surrender too, even when jumped-up practitioners paint a somber and bleak future. If such practitioners were advised to give up when they were students, would they be where they are now? I think not.
The recession is tough for everyone, but design agencies should not be become shortsighted. Today's generation of creative graduates will someday be Britain's future creative directors (and Peter Saville's). If students were to give up, the industry would inevitably be caught in the headlights once the recession is over. Many students including myself have not yet felt the true force of the 'crunch' personally because of student loans, grants etc, but we some will.
"Designers are meant to be problem-solvers right? who help individuals get out of a pickle and everyone knows that this mighty credit crunch is one monster pickle".
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