James White - Signalnoise Broadcast

''don't ever think you need a client to do something''
-James White

I've always followed James White on Signalnoise.com and he has just finished a live broadcast on ustream.tv where he has been answering live questions from viewers.

He gives his opinions to many different design related questions from viewers watching the broadcast, most of which is very much related to what I want to gain in experience.


Some interesting points picked up while watching:

Pricing and time, client satisfaction & working with others.

Inspiration - Although he lives in quite a small area and workplace this does not limit his ability find inspiration, power of the internet, loves retro, things that were awesome when he was a kid, in the morning a cup of coffee and flickr, inspiration is everywhere.

Advice to designers who want to break into the industry - consider the type of work, type of clients, don't limit yourself 9-5, normal priorities after education is generally #1 job in design agency #2 freelance, do your own stuff, don't stop, don't ever think you need a client to do something, you be your own boss/specification, grow portfolio + your only going to get better at what you do

You can't count on a client to teach you new things, unique touch doing your own stuff, if you paint show them your paintings etc, show them what you love doing, never limit your portfolio

Design process - sketch 40 little thumbnails, 30 secs to do each thumbnail which include type logos flare etc, then onto illustrator to produce little colour studies.

Do employers look at education experience rather than quality of work - Ultimately you might have the best diploma in the world but the work speaks for itself - portfolios bark louder than paper, depends on agency.