It’s a tough world out there. A design student’s transition from school to the professional world can be a bit rocky, especially if they aren’t well prepared and aware of the realities of the daily grind and client demands. No amount of preparation, however, compares to the lessons learned from real world experience.

A couple weeks ago I asked a few of our followers on Twitter what few pieces of advice they could share with emerging designers. Many kindly responded and shared their wisdom, with advice coming from a wide variety of backgrounds and experience levels.

J.B. Chaykowsky

Senior Designer at FocusEGD in Dallas, author of everydream, and @jbchaykowsky on Twitter.

J.B.‘s advice:

1. Quit looking at other peoples work in your own field. While there is merit in knowing what is being designed in your field I wouldn’t put much emphasis on it. Instead, I would recommend spending time researching other disciplines that interest you such as fashion, furniture, emerging technology, art, etc. You can gain greater inspiration from fields outside your own and apply it to your field in interesting ways. Whether its attachment methodology, patterning, materials, or even the depth of the very screen you are looking at now it can help you make design decisions or find new ways at building something. For example: I spend a tremendous amount of time looking at furniture/electronics to see manufacturing and attachment methodologies that could be used in signage. Also, looking at others people work is what has been done – I personally am not interested in what has been done. I am interested in what is to be and appropriately placing that into space. Emphasis on “appropriately”.
2. Patience. Every single college graduate coming out expects to make $45,000 and be designing logos for amazing companies with creative control over projects. Wake up. You have to earn your way through. Most likely your first projects are going to be mundane. Whether it is your first programming of a hospital addition or type setting a brochure for a local business – learn from it. Never push your nose up at the work. Designers who can not find the challenge in their work will never learn from it and never make it the best it can be.
3. Enjoy Your Lunch Hour. When possible don’t work through lunch. Get out of the office. It breaks up the day and lets you experience new places. Plus your desk is riddled with germs… Do you really want your food there?

Kelly Bennett

Designer at ex;it in Philadelphia, instructor at Drexel University, and @kelbennett on Twiter.

Kelly’s advice:

1. Make connections.
2. Be realistic.
3. Work hard and fast.

The Folks at Asterisk Group

Of Asterisk Group in Austin, and @asteriskgroup on Twitter.

Their advice:

1. Don’t tweet unless you have something to say.
2. Give up your ego.
3. Stay in school as long as you can.

Ryan Lascano

Designer at Carew Co. in Boise, @ryanlascano on Twitter.

My advice:

1. Be humble. Lose the ego, your best design skills don’t mean jack if they aren’t successful for the client. Coming out of school you have everything to learn, see that as a positive.
2. Get out more. Get away from your computer, go outside and walk around. Look around you, examine the details and be inspired by other forms of design.
3. Re-examine your heroes. It’s great for young designers to have heroes and mentors. Once you get out in the real world make sure the people you admire and look up to are worth the praise. They may talk the talk, but do they walk the walk?

Amy Rees

Independent designer in Philadelphia, instructor at Drexel University and Philadelphia University, and @amyarees on Twitter.

Amy’s advice:

1. Find your passion.
2. Meet new people and network.
3. Be open to all possibilities. You never know where that path may lead.

Russ Stoddard

Founder of Oliver Russell here in Boise, @rstoddard on Twitter.

1. Read everything you get your hands (and mouse) on.

Kevin Barbee

Creative Director at KB Creative Advisors, @kpbarbee on Twitter.

1. Do pro-bono work for the community.
2. Learn to draw by hand.
3. Respect the people you work with and who pay you.

And finally, some advice for creative directors and those of us interacting with emerging designers: it doesn’t take any talent or effort to be overly critical, negative and tear down young designers by saying their work is shit. You can be critical and honest while still being encouraging, and encouragement is what most of them need the most. For those hiring graduating designers, remember that most will need a gentle nudge, but also allow room for young designers to learn and grow on their own. It’s easy to be a manager, but much more valuable to be a guide.

Thanks to everyone who was willing to share their advice! I’ll leave the question open for any additional thoughts: if you could give three pieces of advice to emerging designers, what would they be?