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6 Responses to “Eric Karjaluoto”

1. Elaine Chernov

   Although this is a great piece of advice, I think its important for young designers to try out a number of different avenues before they find that one thing that they love doing. If you’re just starting out and ALL you’re doing is one style of work, it might be a bit difficult to find extremely specialized work. But if you’ve already found that one thing you absolutely love doing, they by all means, give it your all.

   Thanks for sharing, Eric! I, too, have followed your work and your blog since I myself was just starting out.
2. Josh Peters

   Well what I think Eric could mean is have a direction upon graduation. Most undergraduate programs try to cram in everything under the sun. Sure a designer should be that versatile animal that jumps when asked to, but a bit of focus on what their core interests and skills are also would help them target the job market better as well. Just as much as clients often hire a firm with appropriate skills for their needs, so should a designer have a strong set that gives them confidence and for any potential employer.

   They’ll have the rest of their career to mix it up when the experience comes.
3. Elaine Chernov

   Totes! I think we’re thinking the same thing.

   I think having a direction is a totally valid point. Like, I went into advertising and stuck with that.
   But I think when students have books and all they do is this one “look” or “style” of design, it gets boring to look at. If all they want to do is, say, super vector-y japanese character logos, they might have trouble finding work. Plus, it shows they can’t work for more than one type of client.
4. jsteb

   I started my design career a bit later in life, not too late, but I essentially turned a hobby into a career. I’m no longer the “closer designer”, but I will say that I have tons of respect for designers, young and old that can create several stunning designs all with unrelated look and feel… some just get it, and I’m sure so many more practice their craft with lots of variety.
5. Eric Karjaluoto

   I’m not suggesting that you don’t try different things, nor, do I mean to imply that you should only design in one given style. (Actually, the latter signifies a huge weakness in my mind.)

   My suggestion is simply that choosing a single discipline can help you move to the top of the heap faster, and reap the rewards accordingly.

   I all too often receive resumes from folks who’ve done a bit of this, and a bit of that. They can code a website, but not particularly well; similarly, they can design something, but it’s not that great. They also write, take photos, and a number of other things. It’s not that they’re lacking talent, it’s that they haven’t focused enough for most to see it.
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