Bridging the gap between creative education and industry reality
By
Guest Author
Crispy enough to crunch, soft enough to enjoy. A good bake.
Summary
Lola Delafuente, a junior creative at 20(SOMETHING), reflects on the gap between university education and the realities of working in the creative industry. She describes the shock of transitioning from designing for grades to building work that must survive in the real world, and argues that fixing this disconnect between education and industry is more important than superficial diversity initiatives like "International Women's Day" campaigns.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledIf you'd asked me in my final year at university how ready I was for the creative industry, I'd have said: completely. With my first-class degree and finessed portfolio, I felt bulletproof.
There is a kind of shock that hits when you land your first job, though. It isn't that you're untalented – just that the game is different.
You're no longer designing for grades; you're building things that have to survive in the wild, which is thrilling and mildly humbling in equal measure.
You might also wanna read
Designers Warn of Declining Quality in Design Education, Leaving Graduates Unprepared for Industry
Established designers warn that design education quality has declined significantly, leaving graduates unprepared for industry realities and
Dezeen·6mo ago
The Value of UK Design Education: Student Talent Shows Why Funding Matters
This article advocates for the importance of design education in the UK, highlighting the exceptional talent of young student and graduate d
Dezeen·7mo ago