How to make the most of your time on placement
How to make the
most of your time
on placement
5 things to remember during your placement...
Written by Oliver Booth on 23.07.2020
5 things to remember during
your placement
Written by Oliver Booth on 23.07.2020
A placement is a great opportunity to secure yourself a job come graduation time. Do it right and you’ll leave a lasting impression on the studio. Make it hard for them to see you go.
1. Ask questions
You should be asking questions. Not only does it show you’re engaged with what’s happening, but inevitably there’ll be something the studio forgets to tell you. Go with a notepad and keep it with you, taking notes as you go. If the time isn’t right to ask questions, write them down, and ask away at the review at the end of your placement.
2. The stuff that's expected
Make sure you’re turning up on time. If you’re regularly turning up late on a short placement, that doesn’t look great. Check how long it takes to get to the studio. Are you driving? Where can you park? Is it on a public transport route? The clever people at Google even let you estimate a journey based on specific times like rush hour, so there’s no excuse. If there really is an excuse then call up and explain!
Put the phone away, you’re here to learn and work, not scroll.
3. Be proactive
You’ve been set a task that’ll take a few hours to complete. Being the legend that you are, you’ve completed it ahead of time. The senior designer your shadowing is in a conference call. Do you
A. Proactively look for something to do, or
B. Sit back and have a scroll on the gram
Always choose A. Can you add something extra to what you’ve already done. Can it be improved? Is there anyone else close by that you could ask for more work? Would anyone like a drink? There are always going to be ways you can keep yourself busy if you’re waiting for further instruction. Use your initiative. Don’t piss about. Check out what makes a good junior designer here.
4. Be respectful
Design studios can be fun, engaging places. Typically they’re open plan, which can be a bit of a nightmare for tasks that require deep concentration. In this situation, some people will wear headphones to subtly say “LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE, I’M TRYING TO CONCENTRATE”. Might be best to not interrupt that person.
Don’t forget that placements take a lot from a designers time, and it shows if you’re grateful for the information and teaching you’re receiving.
5. Make yourself indispesable
Go the extra mile. That doesn’t just mean with your design work. If you’re going out for your lunch, offer to pick up something for someone else if you see they’re too busy to get out. A lot of the time it’s the small things – just being a thoughtful person – that can make you stand out. It’s nice to hire nice people.
Design can be taught and improved on over the coming years. But if you’re a bit of a dick, you’re not going to last long.
The aim of the game is to leave that placement with them thinking, ‘Wasn’t it great when [Insert your name] was here?!’
Written by Oliver Booth on 23.07.2020
Follow the studio on Instagram and Twitter
Written by Oliver Booth on 23.07.2020
Follow the studio on Instagram and Twitter
Share:
Share:
More like this
More like this
Want a question answered?
Email us advice@sidebyside.co.uk
Want a question answered?
Email us advice@sidebyside.co.uk
Over the last few years we've become a little jaded with the whole design industry. As we've grown as a business – and more importanly, people – we've seen the importance of helping others, and giving back. We've learnt a hell of a lot during our careers, mostly from fixing fuck-ups, and we want to share this knowledge.
We can see the pitfalls of this industry (we've lived it) and now we're in a position where we can help, rather than just moan about it. We've listened to many a student and young designer asking the same questions, so we know there's a scarcity of answers out there. No inspirational quotes. Just gritty, honest, insights.
Gain Knowledge. Give Knowledge.
Over the last few years we've become a little jaded with the whole design industry. As we've grown as a business – and more importanly, people – we've seen the importance of helping others, and giving back. We've learnt a hell of a lot during our careers, mostly from fixing fuck-ups, and we want to share this knowledge.
We can see the pitfalls of this industry (we've lived it) and now we're in a position where we can help, rather than just moan about it. We've listened to many a student and young designer asking the same questions, so we know there's a scarcity of answers out there. No inspirational quotes. Just gritty, honest, insights.
Gain Knowledge. Give Knowledge.
