What does Entry Level Designer mean to you?

It’s been many years since I’ve met an Entry Level Designer that measures up to the bar at R.BIRD.

That’s not said lightly or for bragging rights. It’s a concern.

As every year goes by, our minimum expectations for Entry Level Designer gets deeper and more difficult. At the same time, the candidates we see emerging from academia move farther away from meeting the minimum.

When we hire Entry Level Designers we are more likely to be creating added burdens for the company. That is: more time (and cost) invested in managing and nurturing the talent with reduced output (a.k.a. “lowered expectations”).

Of course, “everyone needs to start somewhere.” But, in my mind, the starting should have begun much earlier in the cycle.

Take a look at the current recruiting page at RBIRD.com.

I attempted to post the same skills description as a single job opening ad on Creative Hotlist.

It was refused.

Why?

The director said, “this is clearly not one position, it is several. Please create separate job listings….”

I don’t think so.

That list of skills and pursuits is an achievable - I think, necessary - model for designers at all levels. So, we continue our looking.

What does Entry Level mean to you?

There are 6 comments so far | Post a comment

Merc | Apr 25, 2006

I am having the same issue with my studio. It is getting more difficult to find young designers that meet any form of minimum requirement. In my experience, they barely know the core applications; and it is a miracle if they know core design principles. It seems they spent their college years doodling and listening to their iPods, and now they want to be paid for it. Graphic design is a career for the jack-of-all and no less; the specialized shall remain unemployed (at least by my studio).

I am not sure where to point the finger. On one hand, I would like to point it at the schools that teach these idle minds. On the other hand, I feel our field is to blame. Clearly, we are not involved enough with the next generation of designers or the schools that we intend to hire from. Have we created a clique? And by doing such, have we withheld knowledge? Something is wrong and I don’t know what it is.

rkobe | Apr 26, 2006

I certainly see nothing wrong with wanting top-notch talent on a lean team, since in essence every team member you add should be a multiplier. Especially when creating cross-disciplinary teams, it is vital for every member to add value, taking the combined effort of the team to an even greater level. Entry-level designers need to have an entrepreneurial spirit (without the arrogance of a rock star), a thirst for knowledge (with the humble nature to admit when they, in fact, do not know something), and an innate intellect for brand identity as a whole (that it entails every touchpoint the consumer interacts with, not just the Brandmark and stationery system). Having the software skills and design execution should be a given; it is the marketing and business acumen, the constant strive to become better, and the passion for the craft of true communication design that sets the true ‘entry-level designer’ apart from the flock.

Richard Bird | Jul 7, 2006

Just in: a perfect illustration of my concern. Careers at rbird dot com receives emails exactly like this real example:

I feel that R.Bird would be a great environment for me to work and grow as a designer. Please email me if you would like to see examples of my work.

From a Pratt Institute graduate, “Hey, I’m here. You come to me to find out more.” No other information. No resume. No portfolio. Nothing.

This is 80% or more of the inquiries received every day.

J.L.S | Nov 14, 2006

I am a Product design student studying at Finlandia University, in Michigan. Lately I’ve been faced with the realization and thought of ‘how am I going to compare in the design world’ once I complete college. Next year I am planning to study in Finland, perhaps Scotland, in hopes to broaden my views on what I currently know, and create a larger knowledge base in general. If anyone could supply some helpful tips or pointers for me about college itself and the steps to take when searching for and internship, anything would be much appreciated. Thank you, Jordan

Cynthia | Jan 7, 2008

I’ve been job hunting the last year via online ads and I am not surprised that you’ve found entry level candidates cannot take on the huge demands you require.

It’s stunning what is expected out of relatively inexperienced people in today’s job market..let’s say, in comparison to even 10 years ago. Employers want one person to do the job of three.

The expectations put upon people to handle the job of multiple talents is bound to frustrate employers who find either the candidates don’t have the experience or are not willing to do that amount of work for the pay given which is for ONE employee, not three.
Everyone is demanding more out of their people today, and the compensation does not match the expected skill set. This is what I see when I look over hundreds of ads online for creative jobs in particular.
The sample ad you linked to with the description of what your company is looking for is laughable. Is this entry level expectations? I am not even sure most experienced people would take it seriously because they are old enough to know they are doing the job of three people and getting paid for one.
If your demands are going to increase every year for entry level jobs you may as well remove that category completely and just focus on overworking and underpaying more experienced folks.

Also that brief e-mail from the student looking for work I can totally understand..they are trying not to bother you, and are just letting you know that they are allowing you to take the first step in inviting them to show their work. They have no idea how busy you are or how many solicitations you get every day for work. I think you’re being a bit arrogant in this case. Cut these kids some slack. Not everyone is a super polished expert at job communication. You may have lost out on some great talent because you’d rather sit and feel superior and in turn are being too judgmental.

The problem I am suggesting may not be purely one sided. That’s my point.

Thanks
Cynthia

R.BIRD | Jan 7, 2008

Thanks, Cynthia, for taking the time to contribute. I appreciate your views, including the slap on my own wrist regarding inquiries from inexperienced candidates.

You are correct: I could be missing talent because the approach is unpolished or inaccurate.

On the other hand, I’ve reviewed enough resumés in 25 years with following interviews to know that it’s more common to see the incomplete or inaccurate application is and indicator of that person’s lack of attention to detail and it’s reflected in their work. Job hunting is problem-solving, too, as is the art and science of design.

That being said, I’ve certainly seen the opposite. In fact, there is one school in particular where the student portfolios, resumés, communication are top notch. In an interview situation, however, it quickly becomes apparent that the talent is misrepresented.