7 Things They Don't Teach You In Design School

[@MrDecaliostro]

This video has a main idea - you have to learn everything, that related to business environment, design would take 25 - 30% of your work time. Everything else is about business and communication. I’ve started as a self taught designer, day by day I’ve learned tools, tricks, processes. After that I found that I have to dive into my customers businesses to propose perfectly suitable design solutions. I’ve learned marketing, branding, engineering, almost everything that might be helpful. People are different, and make targeted design solutions is pretty hard without knowing core values of the customers.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Totally agree.

[@theragingplasticmaniac5025]

Hi Philip. I got my undergrad degree at RIT, and I struggled for years in advertising agencies because I was taught the profession of design is about art, when it isn't. When I went back to get my graduate degree at RIT, I took elective classes in the school of business in the MBA program so I could understand how business people make decision and understand their needs. I think the experience was mutually beneficial-the business students learned about how designers think, and I learned how the underpinnings of business works. To sum up, what they don't teach you is that design is a business service and the business world is a completely different culture. Those who hire us designers don't know anything at all about art. So even if you are being completely logical with your design choices, they don't have any basis for understand what we do,. The result is they will do things that will drive you batty. Now that I'm a design professor, I tell my student to do what I did and take classes in business...it will make a big difference in how their careers will unfold.-John PS: I also teach them basic copyrighting skills because I didn't have any and it makes a huge difference in the quality of design work :)

[@Funwinxpixee]

Glad you're making a difference

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Raging, what an awesome story - and thanks sooooo much for sharing your journey with everyone. As you might expect - I TOTALLY agree with you and I myself had to learn the hard way - through the school of hard knocks and trial and error. There is a University in San Francisco that now has a Design MBA - one of the few degrees of it's kind - and sorely needed.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You rock lJ!

[@dawnthomas2435]

Thank goodness the Design Gods sent you down to KZbin to cover the things in design that everybody wants you to know but nobody teaches you. Good stuff. Thanks for the great info. Really needed this.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Dawn - I was always wondering where I came from...a child of the Design Gods...sounds about right, LOL! So glad you are digging my work - I try my best to provide value and teach what others ignore - or what I have learned the hard way - to help others avoid the same pain!

[@Sammy__GB]

Hi Philip! This is exactly what I experienced so far. I got my bachelor’s degree at a design school last year and we only had one business course during my whole studies. As I became self-employed I noticed that this course was the most valuable, even though it was a crash course and couldn’t cover everything needed. This year they cancelled it for the new students and I’m just speechless…

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Sam, I am constantly dumbfounded that educational institutions don't teach this stuff. It may be because the students don't know they are going to need it, it's not about design (the fun stuff) so they don't sign up for the class. So it gets dropped. It should be a required class in Foundations first year.

[@lorraine.-.]

You talk so much sense & your videos are extremely informative for designers. There needs to be more design lecturers like you in universities. 🙌🏼

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Lorraine - Thats why so many universities ask me to come and speak!

[@mmcmsp]

Really good video. I feel like design colleges misses the fact that they are not putting artists to the market, they are putting out communicators. And that they do need to learn how to communicate to grow their careers. I get students frustrated because they thought they'd leave design school and find a Nike creative type of job to do... Also they don't know marketing, sales and finance as you said - so they don't have a clear view of what's their job about in a corporation or agency. Some also get frustrated because they are asked to do a simple presentation using powerpoint for example! They feel diminished... but hey, my client needs a powerpoint to view our design proposal... so, in general students are coming out not ready for the real word, dreaming about the creative side and beautiful results without taking the hard path to follow under consideration.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Maria, I totally agree. You captured it very well. The university system is not preparing designer graduates for the harsh realities of the profession and equipping them with the less-sexy skills (like PPT of Keynote presentation skills) that will really be the things that assure their marketability as a job candidate or ensure their relevance once they land a job. Thanks for the insightful and well considered comment - I need more people like you around here...🕉❤😉

[@jarmelo2006]

I'm just going to say this. I borrowed more than $100,000.00 to go to school and most of my education in design I learned from raw and painful trial and error. I wish I knew this then.... Thanks for your sacrifices. You and others like you are making the difference.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

jarmelo - I feel your pain.

[@thedylanrogers]

This is a good video for any level of designer. After 18 years of experience, I'm still working to improve some of these skills.

[@neuemage]

8. Crisis management How to handle troublesome clients (all work done but want refund), late suppliers/3rd parties, running out of cash/scope creep, fraudulent deals/partners, etc

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You're totally right - no one can teach you that - and that goes for ANY profession. Jerk clients aren't the sole bane of the design and branding world - they are everywhere.

[@kurihara9023]

but I don't go to school or any college or any university but I learn it from visiting technology company factory by asking then they will show how they assemble chips before put the firmware inside hardware to run the software.

[@dashiajames1882]

I do need to manage my time but I really don't want to use an app. I dont wanna depend on something that will help me manage my time....!! I really hate depending on stuff/person for my own, unless I really really need help...!! I'm a very very independent person.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Thanks for sharing your POV Dashia!

[@ProsperParabu]

I Graduated with my MFA in 2016 and everything you said, yes I agree with. Thank you for this video.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You rock Prosper! You're very welcome - now go learn all that stuff! (P.S. - a LOT of it you can find in my video catalog!)

[@arneliawaters4296]

SOOO MUCH GREAT INFORMATION! THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Hey Arnelia! Thanks so much for checking out my video! I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. Keep tuning in!

[@Miraki8238]

Sir, I have often faced a situation where people give me work and say " You are a designer, you can do anything, just make it good looking" while not realizing the limitation of design scope in those particular assignments. I am asked to give background colour in a design just for the sake of making it colourful while it just hampers the rest of the design. Its a conflict I have faced few times.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Sushmita - the big thing they don't tell you in design school is that you will spend a lot of time educating your clients about the *reason* why you do what you do. Why you are making something a certain color - the psychology behind it. You have to become an educator and a trainer of your clients. (Just don't tell them that's what you're doing! LOL)

[@Miraki8238]

True. Thanks!

[@dashiajames1882]

I've watched other business videos & they said the opposite things you mentioned..like " go on (LinkedIn Pintrest etc. ) make a profile and post certain stuff "....other video said " cut those those notifications off, so you can stay focused. I just want great & correct advice/information..!!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

There is no PERFECT approach - different experts subscribe to different approaches - watch a ton and then do what feels right for you.

[@dashiajames1882]

@@PhilipVanDusen okay thanks alot...!!

Exactly! In my college we had lessons on entrepreneurism, but it was still shallow.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I know - it's pathetic. Talk about a business opportunity!

[@acuerdox]

@@PhilipVanDusen thats a great idea

[@Fitzaey]

Thanks! the time mangement and how to sell my self and pitch is my weakness i guess!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Learn to pitch yourself - you can use the skill to pitch your work to clients, too!

[@ramimgraphics4739]

hello Sir, I have learned so many things from your channel. thank you so much.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Thanks Ramim Graphics!

[@CaliKrazyTV]

I remember a teacher told my class we are in competition with him for work. So he let us know even though you pay all this money i would show you everything..lol

[@PhilipVanDusen]

And he's right! I am too - but I'm sharing everything - it's good kharma - and it's great for my business, too.

[@oceansyes]

Hey, thanks for another great video. You mention a time management app, think you said Reverb? I can't seem to find that one.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Sye - Reverb is an app that interfaces with Amazon's Alexa - it probably wasn't the best example to use - its just an information efficiency enhancer...

[@oceansyes]

Philip VanDusen great, thanks for clarifying that. I used Trello before. It's not the best but it's free! Trying to use that again and find a system that works for me.

[@midhunrnair9154]

You are very supportive person sir. Im from india.I knew adobe xd very well .But when i applied for UI/UX, Design Companies only looking whether i know photoshop or illustrator ,Why? Why not adobe xd. Adobe Xd is totally for UI/UX design Then why they rejecting me.Im not new to photoshop and illustrator i knew that too but im not an expert.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

XD is a very specific app and a LOT of UX/UI design work is done in Pshop and Illustrator - they are the 2 main must have skills. So my advice is learn them. it will be the best thing you can do for your career.

[@midhunrnair9154]

Philip VanDusen Thank you sir .Its my resume and portfolio link sir can u say what is the problem in my resume and portfolio please sir.Why everyone reject me ,Is there any problem that i learned everything from internet. drive.google.com/file/d/1UZcm4mO7ToFBaTEX0sN0t1nvp5A3IopG/view?usp=drivesdk www.behance.net/midhunrp196218

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I never ever usually review portfolios here - but for some reason I was curious - I think your biggest problem is color - most of your work is a very electric and garish purple, pink, magenta - super child-like and super feminine. You need to do some work - or rework some of your work so you are using much more subdued and elevated color palettes. Also, secondly - your designs have a LOT of what I call "bells and whistles" that is drop shadows, and blends - a sure sign of a designer who is not very experienced. The designs are also very busy - meaning there is a whole lot going on visually - too many elements - simplify as much as you can! Hope that helps. Best of luck!

[@midhunrnair9154]

Philip VanDusen sure sir i will make that better ,YOU HELPS ME LOT.I will take your advise as a challenge .Thankyou.Getting opinion from a man like you can improve guys like me sure. If u can say which one of my work is good then i will follow that styles ,I think you say all my work is bad 😢😢😢,I can change

[@PhilipVanDusen]

I'm not saying all your work it bad. Some of the layout and composition is good. The fact that you are using only one type of color palette just makes it look like that is all you can do - or want to do. And the color palette you chose - the electric colors is a very very niche need in the market. You need to show more breadth in style and aesthetic.

[@jarmelo2006]

I was talking to someone on yesterday and we came upon the subject of age in graphic design. Is it likely to be a successful designer if your starting out as an older person?

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Jarmelo- I addressed this is my recent video on Career Advice and life lessons. Is it possible, yes! I did it. I didn't start designing til I was 32!

[@jarmelo2006]

Philip VanDusen of course!!! I remember that video a week ago!!! Thanks!

[@defdac]

When you talk about partnership, exactly what is that? Is it a LinkedIn-contact or deeper more like a FB-friend or even a real friend?

[@Funwinxpixee]

well real friends often feel entitled to getting discounts n all that

[@PhilipVanDusen]

defdac - Great question: Old and current co-workers. Old school buddies. LinkedIn connections, friends and connections made in FB groups, at conferences - anyone who you have developed as a network connection who has a complementary skillset - that you could use later on a project.

[@defdac]

Aha thanks!

[@thebrunoserge]

I hate office politics because capitalism is, to be fair, disgusting. My manager for the last 4 years consistently used my work to move up (promoted twice using business portfolios that relied heavily on my design work), while making sure I never get real chances to move up/sideways or even shake hands with his superiors/peers. For 4 years he told me I was absolutely amazing and "his favorite" (something I had to tell him in private to stop saying publicly, because it's unprofessional), but after his second promotion to head of department, he reorganized the department and actually demoted me, to report to a developer who worked in my team, at my level the whole time (and has no power or will to move anyone up). In my experience, most bosses are malignant narcissist sociopaths, because that's the kind of individual/behavior that survives/moves up in a capitalist society.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Woke, Sounds like you got played by a real a$$hole manager. There are many out there. But it also sounds like you really learned a lot - and probably will be able to recognize (and avoid) behavior like that faster. Chalk it up to a hard-won learning experience - it sucks I know. But don't let it make you jaded, or resentful, or angry, or a whiner in the long term. There is nothing - and I mean nothing - that will stunt your career faster than that. Take the high road. Act like an optimist even if you're not. Find a better company and a better manager. Tough love, but I hope you take it in the right way.

[@Funwinxpixee]

so little time...so much to learn

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Never stop - learning has to be a constant - don't get discouraged - just keep keeping on!

[@Funwinxpixee]

Yeah all the hard work is worth it!

[@sevanyouhanna2491]

Man, you are awesome

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Sevan, No, YOU are awesome...;-)🚀👊

[@sevanyouhanna2491]

@@PhilipVanDusen thank you sir. I would love to show you my logo and have your opinion on it. I'm a Graphic Design student and need some solid feedback. Can u give me your email address? Thank you so very much.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

@@sevanyouhanna2491 Sevan - you can email me through my website - but I can generally only provide feedback to my paid coaching clients - I just get too many requests - I need to keep my agency running, hope you understand. If you want to engage - there are links for "work with me" on my site.

[@texidordesign9176]

Thank you.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

You rock texidor design!

[@AishaAhloyan]

But then how am I supposed to to learn all this?

[@theragingplasticmaniac5025]

A lot of it will be learned on the job. Check my comments above...

[@jarmelo2006]

Aisha Ahloyan Im going to start from the beginning. And we can help each other bro... You can do it!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Absolutely! On the job and on your own - through self-directed and self-motivated learning. Skillshare, Lynda.com, Coursera - and of course books and webinars.

[@PhilipVanDusen]

See my comment below...

[@marmouzchouaib4854]

Thanks..

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Marmouz, You're very welcome. Be sure to check out the other videos in my catalog. There's tons of great stuff there!

[@BuffyKNC]

very true

[@PhilipVanDusen]

🕉

[@shellb1633]

Ahhh! Brain overload

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Thanks Shell B! I know, it's a lot. But that's what 30 years in the industry has shown me...you have time!

[@derekditz7812]

Isn't that the truth!!!

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Thanks Derek Ditz!

[@albinfrancis5417]

👍

[@PhilipVanDusen]

👊😀

[@mehtabansari3029]

Internal Politics is what i cant stand with ..

[@PhilipVanDusen]

Mehtab - I know it sucks - but it's a reality and it is where a whole lot of creatives fall down on their journey, sadly.