Mick Greer

Today, copy writer Mick Greer came along for a talk about the next steps when graduating. Mick completed a HND graphic design at Blackburn with my tutor Guy Lawrence then attended The School of Communication Arts in London for a year. The talk was greatly useful but also different in reflection to other lectures I had attended in the past. Mick decided not to talk through his work and was more interested explaining the fine details of the next steps a graduate may consider after leaving university. Mick advised that contacting designers and building up a healthy relationship with not just one, but a number of agencies at the same time was vital as knowing people in the industry and having the opportunity of talking through your work helps greatly when maturing as a designer.

Contacting agencies with some direct mail always helps promote yourself as a designer. Many people tend to contact agencies via e-mail but very little put together a sample of work to send out in the post. Mick advised that doing this shows a determination and a unique impression to what type of person you are and how well you want to achieve within the industry. Placements was an interesting topic Mick discussed. As he questioned all the students if we had any placements in the past or have any planned for the near future, a silence drove Mick to explain the importance of gaining experience within a design studio.

Getting your first job when graduating may not be so rewarding as Mick described the jobs no one wishes to do within the agency, you are normally left doing. He advised that you should feel good about being involved with a design team whatever task you have. You should have a drive and determination knowing you are part of the creative industry whatever role you play. Gradually, your hard work will pay off and within time, you will be considered greatly as an important member of the team. Mick explained that this was his experience when getting his first job and after his fellow colleges in the design industry and discussed with him, they had a similar background.