Even though I didn’t get the position at About.com, I thought it would be very cool to give the GD readers some of the content that went into my application. I had asked Armin Vit to contribute an article on advice for “being/becoming a graphic designer”. It should also be noted that Armin has recently been named one of the People to Watch in 2006 by Graphic Design USA magazine. Below is the original article in its entirety:

5 Points of Advice that You May, or May Not, Want to Hear.
by Armin Vit

1. It’s not you, it’s me – and it’s definitely not art.
   Graphic design can easily confuse professionals into thinking that it is all about self-expression and finding ways of channeling one’s artistic sensibilities. It is not: When a client hires you, you have to remember that this is not about you but them. You have to put their needs, requests and understanding of their business and clients way before yours. Your job is to translate their situation into viable communication, not about manifesting your demons and angels. If you want to make it so, buy yourself a canvas and save your client the money.
2. Lose some battles, win the war.
   Because graphic design leans subjectively, you will never be free of client feedback when it comes to colors, typefaces, layout, and photographic or illustrative choices. You can throw tantrums when you are asked to change a typeface or a typeface’s size but that does nothing to further anyone’s cause. Focus on getting your big idea through – if it’s strong enough it will work regardless of being set in Courier rather than Bodoni at 11pt instead of your beautiful 8pt. Roll with the punches, but make sure you deliver the knockout punch.
3. Can you hear me now?
   Pick up the phone. Pick it up. Dial the numbers and talk. Whether you are looking for a job or a client you will have to pick up that phone and talk to a real person. And you are going to have to be sweet, smart, funny and charming for 15 seconds or 15 minutes. Do not let a person off the phone until you get what you want or you are satisfied with their reasoning for telling you “no”. It’s okay though, most people will say “no”. We’ve all gone through it and lived to tell about it, you will too.
4. Be nice.
   This might sound like a very basic and dumb thing to list but it’s amazing how many people forget that they are dealing with human beings that, like you, have feelings. Treat your clients, vendors, messengers and coworkers with respect. Find humor (and a solution) in sticky situations. Don’t blame or point fingers. Be yourself… Unless you are a pain in the behind, then try to at least fake it.
5. Do good work.
   In the end it all comes down to doing good work. While “good work” is subjective, we all know it when we see it. And the only way to make good work is by listening to clients and coworkers, practicing, taking risks, looking at what people that are better than you – and, don’t worry, there are so many – are doing, scrutinizing every job you finish and starting all over again with the next project, as if you knew nothing. Do work that satisfies you technically, emotionally and professionally, if your heart is not into it you can only do mediocre work and, to be honest, we have enough of that already.

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