Top 3 Things I’ve Learned Since Graduation
Everyone thinks that when they graduate from college they know everything they’ll need to know to go out into the “real world.” Since graduating last May I’ve found that just isn’t the case. I graduated from Purdue with a degree in Visual Communications Design. Basically, Print (and some Web) design (logos, brochures, letterheads, etc.). Below are a few of the things I’ve learned since then.
1. Just because you build it, that doesn’t mean they will come.
Despite having 2 semesters of “web design” I was never taught about traffic/conversion. In the last several months I have been learning everything I can about SEO/SEM and on-line marketing in general. Even though I was taught how to design a visually appealing Web site in school, there was no mention of how to get people to come to the site.
2. Good design doesn’t always sell.
In school the final goal of a project was to have a well designed item. But in the real world of Marketing, the final goal is to get the audience to do something. Buy something, contact you, etc. I’ve had to learn how to make something look nice but also fulfill it’s purpose successfully.
3. Don’t let technology leave you behind.
While I was in school I only wanted to focus on traditional print design. I always said that print design was never going away so I would never be out of a job. That may be true, but I quickly realized that if I really wanted to succeed I’d have to keep up with newer technologies and continue expanding my skill set.
Cassi
