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design.edu

'If I Knew Then What I Know Now' Advice for Students

By Kai Perez - November 5, 2012

With each passing day of my design education it seems that I arrive at more questions than answers. A lot of what you get out of school is asking questions, more importantly the right kinds of questions. However sometimes good ol' advice is more beneficial and rewarding then asking questions.

"Do understand respect. Respect yourself, your work, and other's. Design is not light stuff. It is life and world changing."
-Nate Kendrick

On the Core77 Boards there is a thread titled "If I Knew Then What I Know Now." Before I came to school I glanced at it and really paid no attention to it. Now that I'm in my sophomore year this thread has become somewhat of a credo for me, a manifesto if you will. The thread encapsulates the design education of multiple members each with their own words of wisdom. The advice is comprehensive, covering studio life, what skills employers are looking for, and even the rule for how young grad students can date.

"If you want to make it big some day, you've got to know how to take calculated risks, negotiate, cut a deal and protect yourself! Chances are your design profs have no idea about that stuff or they wouldn't be teaching design."
-Steve

I urge anyone who is currently in school or applying to read this thread thoroughly. It will give you a sense of purpose and instill a level of motivation that you didn't know you had in you. Read the thread in its entirety, even reading the debates between people who don't agree on the same piece of advice (take your own stand on it). Try not to listen to one person's advice but a diverse group of people.

Students working in MIT's Design Studio

The thread has become somewhat static lately so if other talented and experienced designers would like to share their advice please post!

"Do be creative. School is only about learning how to be creative. If school gives one thing: it is the teaching and path to creativeness."
-Nate Kendrick

design.edu

Kai Perez

Born and raised New Yorker studying Industrial Design at Pratt

3 Comments

Jon Block

6 years ago

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You can't teach someone to be Michael Jordan. Creativity; you have it or you don't.
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mark

6 years ago

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Sorry, i have to disagree. You can be taught to be creative. creative people have a method to their madness and its out there. and its taught in good schools.
So many paths, visuals, and sounds to take you into the unknown.
maybe your education wasn't any good?
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Larry

6 years ago

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Bull$hit. School isn't about learning to be creative. You either are or you are not. I used to think otherwise but i have accepted that mouthbreathers in society are happy to accept ther mundane existence in exchange for a 55 inch TV and football on sunday. Their loss. You can't learn to be creative if you won't have a passion for creativity. School facilitates those that ARE creative to focus and channel their creative horsepower into doing amazing work. If you don't have the fire and aspiration to go amazing work then you are just a warm ass in a chair.
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