We Knew There Was A Reason We Decided To Learn To Put Words Together On A Page

We–nominally–have a degree in architecture, although we’ve figured out in the aftermath that most of our education consisted much more of graphic design. The buildings we ostensibly designed were, for the most part, irrelevant in the face of the layout. The better kids spent a week of the charrette designing the building/structure/plan and then at least two days figuring out how to lay it all out: graphic design lite. The worser kids (us) defaulted to a grid every time, and couldn’t figure out why we weren’t being snapped up for all the entry-level closet-designing jobs. But at least we could hide behind our diploma in architecture.

Which brings us to our new favorite, Steven Heller, and his article in BusinessWeek on the problem of overcrowding in the graphic design world. For a scene that has few outright luminaries (quick, name ten), Heller points out that it’s an awfully crowded professional market. The question is in the title: “Too Many Grads or Too Few Competencies?” and we think he’s got the nail on the proverbial head. Problems include guidance counselors who can’t articulate (or tell, possibly) the difference between a general art degree and a graphic design one, and students who think that just because they designed an annual report means they can go and, in all good conscience, call themselves designers. It’s a little trickier than that. Heller doesn’t answer his own question, but he does get a little snap-tastic in his conclusion.

Even though marketplace is the great leveler, aesthetic and professional standards must be passed on at the college or university level. And the highest standards must be guaranteed since insufficient undergraduate preparation is, in part, attributing to the current graduate school boom. Some of these post-grad programs groom their students to teach while others provide skills that enable them to compete with the best undergrads. Overall numbers may not be the issue. Perhaps more students than entry jobs is one way to ensure productive competition. Yet schools that fail to make these marketplace realities clear or ineffectively prepare students to work well with clients clear are not doing any favors to students, parents or the profession.

Concur.

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