The Real Deal - Design Mechanics

Yesterday was our first real introduction to the dynamic and fast growing design industry.

Dave Pannell, company director of Design Mechanics and creative designer Craig Burges dropped in and gave insight on what it’s like to manage clients in the ‘real world’.

During the presentation many questions were asked and answered about the views and experience of what it takes to be a successful designer. It came to me when Dave mentioned that a good designer would be able to create a piece of good design within a few hours from the first creative brief given by the client to the final design presented. I found this as a shock to the system from designs I have previously made that I generate a collection of about four different logos and usually adjust a website numerous times before I’m happy with the result.

Having to work to a specific time scale and having more than one client’s request in production as Craig mentioned made me realise what the Interactive Media course is adjusting me for and how important the change will be to the future of starting a career in the design industry.

During the talk Dave mentioned personal problems that he had to overcome and how difficult it is to be a company director. Giving advice of past experiences that he and Craig had experienced really helped me, just not in running your own business but in the design industry on how important it is getting to know your surroundings and to research the potential possibilities of client’s needs and the background of the businesses they run or work for.

My thoughts at the end of the presentation were that it takes a mature but a creative individual to be able to meet the standards of the design world. Not just on the designs that they can produce, but from the planning to knowing what the clients need because if not it could lead to a commercial setback.

Also I want teh oppertunity to thankyou Dave Pannell and Craig Burges for taking time out their busy schedule to give our group an insight to the industry.