DESIGNER #1 DUSTIN JAMES

Interview questions

When given the chance to interview Dustin, he provided very detailed and instightful thooughts on his experiences. He really drove the point of one of the main ways to be successful, and that was through networking. He seemed very open, excited, and confident in his work. That created a very enjoyable, thoughtful interview to help answer just a few of the following questions. Here are a few of the key answers Dustin gave that stood out as being very helpful advise as one advances in the program.

7.how did you network with people when you first started?

How do you continue to network?

LinkedIn is a great resource! Connect with other artists, design managers, art directors, etc. Put your work on your page! Even using Facebook was a great way for me to create a “business page” for my business D Graphics, to show case my work and market myself. I put out Facebook ads for my freelance business. I also used online resources like UpWork.com for freelance work. LinkedIn will be your best friend when trying to connect with other industry professionals.

10.how do you plan to evolve your work?

NEVER get stuck in a routine or aesthetic.Always look at other artists work and see how they create things,use online resources to learn new techniques and styles. I am always looking to try something different with my approach to design. Artists go get too stuck in their ways,are the ones who don’t make it very far.

29.Is your family supportive about your profession?

Yes,because I’m successful. But I come from a culture that doesn’t think “art is a real job”. I had to prove that it is. And that’s unfortunate. Don’t let people tell you it’s not a real job. It is. You got it!

11.what’s the most challenging aspect about design?

Same as any industry. Just trying to keep upon whats new. Design is always changing and there’s new programs andnew techniques. I’m a good designer, but there are AMAZING designers that are there that do things I could never do. So I’m always trying to learn and grow. It can be challenging and intimidating to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. But I just keep asking questions and researching.

20.What advice would you give to someone starting out?

INTERNSHIPS AND NETWORKING!!!! Sooooooooooo important.Get yourself out there. And build a strong portfolio!VERY important. Create fake projects if you need to for your portfolio. Employers wannaseeyourprocess and your ability to take a concept and create something. Doesn’t matter if it’s not for a real client. Just make it up.

14.what is your design process like?

The biggest thing is research and sketching and just doodling ideas. The moment I get a new project I immediately start asking questions, doodling, and online research. It’s easy for artists to be introverts who like to just sit at their desk and create.... but a big part of the process is collaboration and taking new ideas and asking questions and taking feedback. That’s important, and I keep myself as open to feedback and ideas as possible.Then I just create. I present my design to the client and explained why I made those decisions. And then I make revisions and continue those steps until they’re happy

What was your college experience like?

Here’s a truth that professors won’t like. Professors are often designers who have real work experience and have been working in the industry for years.So they have great insight on the real design process, smart design choices, and giving you industry standard insight. But sometimes they are stuck in their ways of design and their aesthetic and forget what’s new or fresh. So listen to your professors,but don’t let them decide what kind of designer or artist you’re going to be. That’s for you to decide. Take their feedback, applyit. But don’t lose yourself as a designer

9.what impact do you want your work to have?

Making people smile. Simple. I love that people smile when they see my work. Art should give people a experience. So seeing people react to something I created in a positive manner, is worth everything.

Summary:

Dustin provides a grat example of what a person’s possible future could be when they may not think about being in graphic design right away. His work pops with color, and simple, fun shapes in all of his work. With working for Fuko, Dustin has been able to accomplish his dreams of staying creative. while providing excellent packaging to communicate their products. He believes people will have better chances if they start to network as soon as they can and on as much as they can.