Designer Tales

Tips, advice, guidance and stories for those in the design world.

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Keeping Your Cool

You'll work with a lot types of people throughout your career. Luckily, I've been blessed with working with some amazing people. Unluckily, I've also had to work with some, let's just say, interesting clients. You know the one, unrealistic, know-it-all (but doesn't really know it all), I went to this university so I'm an expert, etc. Keeping your cool. Learn how to do it. It's a necessary skill to have. Plus, it's a question you'll be asked in job interviews, so you better know how to answer it! Keep your cool, walk away from your desk, go grab a soda, do whatever you need to do to keep your cool. Knowing how to keep your cool instead of firing off a rage-filled email will help your career! Phil http://www.twitter.com/pjdlv http://www.pjdelavega.com

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Design Inspiration

Inspiration is, in my opinion, an integral aspect to the livelihood of a graphic designer. Who do you look to, whose work motivates you to learn a new skill, who do you hope peeps your work some day? There are TONS of brilliant designers out there. Two of my favorite are Jacob Cass and Jessica Hische. If you're in the design world, you probably know who they are. And they're TOTALLY worth a follow on social media. Why? They hit all the marks in the intro paragraph. I look to them, their work motivates me to expand my skill set, and maybe, JUST MAYBE, they'll come across my work. Be inspired daily kids. Do better work. Learn a new skill. Be motivated! Phil http://www.twitter.com/pjdlv http://www.pjdelavega.com

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Pet Peeve: The Template Portfolio

Nothing grinds my gears more than seeing a graphic designer using a template for their portfolio. If you are simply a print designer, and you have zero interest in web design, and every job you are applying for is a print oriented, then congrats, you've found the exception to the rule! However, nearly every designer has even the most basic web design skills. Every designer should know how to put together a basic portfolio. Below are several reasons why you should not have a template portfolio: Shows a lack of skills - so you're applying for a job that requires web skills and you're using a pre-designed template to display your work? you'll be bypassed in less thank a blink of an eye What if you've chosen the same template as (insert other designer here) - imagine that, two designers with the SAME portfolio. That's not weird. Worst yet, what if you both apply for the same job?!? Trouble down the road - If you're lucky enough to fool an employer, and you get a job based on your template portfolio. Then you're asked to code something awesome. What do you do then? Tell your boss you bought a template? And you don't really know how to code? Laziness - Nothing says lazy like using a template portfolio. So just don't do use one! The negatives far outweigh the positives. If you're a graphic designer, stay clear of the template portfolio! Phil http://www.twitter.com/pjdlv http://www.pjdelavega.com

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Grad School: Yay or nay?

I remember exactly what I was doing when I began exploring the possibility of going to grad school. I was designing a viewbook at the community college I was working at. As I was laying out some text, I found myself reading it. The info was about salaries and how your salary increases as your education levels progress. "Earning a master's degree increases the likelihood that you will earn X% more salary in your lifetime." Something like that. And I thought, well that sounds pretty awesome. So I began exploring different programs and the pros and cons of each. I did find a program that I thought would be incredibly beneficial to my career. I certainly wouldn't have my current job without my master's degree. So for that, my master's degree has been a great investment. Grad school is something that nearly every one of my friends has at least considered since we graduated. Grad school isn't easy. It's incredibly difficult. Throw in various life situations (grad school while working, or raising a family etc) and the difficulty only increases. Everyone's circumstances differ, and this certainly plays a factor in your decision. If you are a person who has specific goals and is on a set career path, and a master's degree helps you along that path, by all means, a master's degree is a worthy investment. I know of several people in my program who like me, wouldn't be at their current jobs if it weren't for our program. However, if you're questioning your career path, or your goals, or you're not sure what you would do with your master's degree, I highly advise against a master's degree. You're probably wondering, well who in their right mind would just commit to grad school and the work without knowing what they intend to do with their degree? The answer will surprise you. In my program, there were more than a few handfuls of people who had no clue what they were going to do with their degree. Several of them enrolled in the program because they were unexmployed and didn't want to have to look for a job (which is one of the WORST reasons to go to grad school). Going to grad school is a TON of work. Trying to figure out if you want to go to grad school is also a TON of work. But it's worth doing the research if you believe it will help you out in your career. So grad school: yay or nay? Yay if it makes sense, nay if it doesn't. Phil http://www.twitter.com/pjdlv http://www.pjdelavega.com

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Designer Tales. An Introduction.

Hi there. My name is Phil. I'm a graphic designer based in Chicago. I work on a lot of print and digital design work at a local non-profit. I'm also in charge of managing the content for our website, implementing and maintaining our brand and managing our social media content. It's a lot of work, but I absolutely love doing it. What is the purpose of this blog? In a word, guidance. In more words, guidance and advice. Why? The road I've traveled to get to this point has been long, with lots of curves, plenty of pit stops, and even more "Oh shit what the fuck?" moments. It's a very atypical route to get to a point in my career where I'm extremely happy personally and professionally. There were plenty of times along the way where I wished there was someone similar to my struggles, similar to my story, that I can turn to for advice and guidance. For me, this blog is a my attempt at being that source for other people. I want to reach out. I want to be a resource for people. Designer Tales will serve as my platform for being that resource. Any questions? Ask away! Need advice? I'd love to help out! I have nearly 10 years of advertising/public relations/marketing experience, with nearly half of that as a designer. I've seen it all, I've experienced it all, and I want to share my experiences with you. Phil http://www.twitter.com/pjdlv http://www.pjdelavega.com