Homan Cheung
Graphic and Media Design Throughout the time spent in the industry, I have exposed myself to various working environments and participated in different design practice each with its unique ways of working. Summarising all the working experience, many of them do not require much advance technical skills such as 3D modeling and animation software operating, which is unexpected. I wonder if I have been wrong in acting on the premise that hiring a skilful designer is what the industry generally needs. During my studies in the course, I believed that having the skills for crafting and making are the most essential priority for designers. As I observed other’s work, participating in group discussions and collaborations, I noticed a phenomenon that many students were creative and innovative in mind yet were unable to comprehensively visualize their concepts. Many works I looked at puzzled me until I got to know read the descriptions or talked to the desingers. Such a situation is very common for us as we are just getting started to learn more. But still, under the comparison of the work from those who already have a good foundation of skills, lacking the competence to demonstrate ideas relevantly might appear to be less preferred and unpleasant, not to mention lacking the skill might also hinder our creativity as our imagination is limited by our knowledge. Being influenced by the Asian culture, I heavily focused on skills as I was taught to genuinely follow very straight guidelines and requirements. Independent thinking and exploration were never be in top priority. In the early period my attitude toward my assignments was very straight forward. The way I handled my assignments back then was simply go on Pinterest and search for something cool, decomposed the design elements and put them into my work. Very few briefing or analysing was involved. Such “fast and efficient” ways of working did help me reached a desirable grade and consequently proved how skills should play the predominant role of my working style. Still, things started to change after a few working placements halfway through my diploma in professional studies. I started to question if the need for having a broad range of skills is really necessary. Before we continue, I would like to state that for sure having the right skill is important, or else how are you supposed to become a designer, right? The reason I have been thinking a lot about such questions is hugely linked with my experiences from the internships. During my time in various agencies, I recognised that very often the directors do not really have a full picture of the production state, they mainly focus on the result rather than the progress of how something is made. Sometimes I received suggestions on how to achieve a certain outputs but I simply knew there was another easier and less time-consuming way to achieve them, sometimes even better (they said that not me) as they can easily apply alternations with a few simple clicks. With no doubt, their artistic senses are professional and unique, but if you have to recreate them it will not be a difficult task; my experiences in the agencies have validated such states. “Without an advance skillsets for productions, what makes clients still knock on their doors?” I could not help but think about this. As I proceed further in trying to find the answer, I read a few articles and magazines; all share a similar point that people love a specific company is because their image, their style, not solely because their skill of demonstration (of course it is still a key factor). My ideology of solely focusing on skills was being challenged, but I simply let it happened as I wish to figure out new ways of working and I always knew my style will eventually hinder me from going further. “As technology has reached its limit, it means the era of taste is coming.” Manabu Mizuno Lately, I have been reading a book by a famous Japanese brand designer Manabu Mizuno. In the book he talks about how having an exquisite taste for everything can contribute to a better outcome of our daily tasks, eventually a better company with an appreciable profit. In one chapter he illustrates how when a society is stabilising, people will naturally aim for goods with higher quality. When corporations have mastered the new technology they will start being creative, producing goods with a proper design quality. As I look at the design industry, many softwares such as Adobe Dimension and Blender is becoming user friendly, a sigh that the technology is reaching a new height of its accessibility. When everyone can easily produce outcomes at the same standard, having a unique and outstanding style or taste is what separates a junior and professional designer. I was struck by such new observations and learned how having a good taste in design actually benefits me for my future. I was blind by the ego of being sufficient with my skills ( is not that much actually) in the early period but forgot the most fundamental aspect; a good design taste and originality. The industry is constantly changing with trends and technology (our tool) is evolving at an unstoppable pace. Now being designer to me is not simply a maker but more of an observer, there are many things about me need to learn about outside the tutorials. As I become more capable with the tools, I should shift my focus on enhancing my sensibility towards my surroundings. Having a good sense should be as equivalent to having a strong skill set. Steeping into the industry allows me to appreciate the diversification of different talents, and I am grateful that how my shortage is exposed and made me fix it while I still have the time.
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March 2022
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