Head or feet first into working life?

Interview Marjaana Rusi
Text & translation Elli Alasaari
Illustration & animation Jenni Hautamäki

The journey from studying graphic design into working as a designer isn’t always clear and straight. Many students must be wondering when you should start working, and how you can even tell when you are ready for it. UMG interviewed two graphic designers, who share their stories about crossing to the other side.

When did you start working in the field of graphic design?

Mikko: Even before starting my studies, I made posters for Kuopio’s skating club. I started work in the field of graphic design and participated in competitions starting from the first year of my studies already. I took on as many work assignments as I could in order to develop my skills. I got small assignments through friends and acquaintances, which then led me to bigger assignments.

Mikko Roininen
born in 1994
from Kuopio, Finland.
University of Lapland 2017, Bachelor of Arts and Design.
Currently working as a trainee in Bob the Robot design agency, also working as a freelance designer and finishing his Master’s thesis.
Specializes in designing visual identities and ”the big picture”.
Instagram @mikkoroininen

Pinja: I started working in graphic design before studying it, when I got hired as a trainee in an advertisement studio in my hometown Rovaniemi. The traineeship inspired me to apply to study graphic design. I studied actively for a couple of years, after which I ran away to work and completed my courses from distance.

Pinja Metsäkoivu
born in 1976
from Rovaniemi, Lapland.
University of Lapland 2008, Master of Arts and Design.
Lahti Institute of Design 2014, Interior Architecture and Furniture Design.
Currently working as a graphic design lecturer at the University of Lapland, and is the owner of PIBO Creative, where she specializes in visual and strategic design.

What experience from the start of your career has left a strong impact on you?

Mikko: Perhaps the most important thing for me has been designing the visual identity for Rovaniemi Night of Arts. It was my first big assignment and I was given completely free rein. The project came out great, and I have continued to work with it for many years now. It has become a beloved project that has brought various other assignments to me.

Pinja: In my first real workplace, I got to design a new visual identity for Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences. I had no previous experience of designing such a large scale project, but I succeeded well. There were many things I was doing for the first time ever in the project, such as planning and directing photo sessions. In addition to leaflets and various templates, I also made a movable exhibition stand for the client. Thinking about it afterwards, it was a great opportunity for a starting designer.

Should you finish your studies before stepping into working life?

Mikko: No. If you only apply for a job for the first time after graduation, there is a risk that your portfolio is incomplete, and it can be harder to show your competence. The moment you feel like working, go for it. By working you’ll learn important skills that aren’t taught in school. School and work definitely complete each other, but you sometimes have to look for the right balance between them.

Pinja: It’s good to start working on some level before graduation. It will be easier to get a steady job after getting some experience beforehand. It’s possible to connect your Master’s thesis with your work, for example. Still, you should graduate before moving 100% into working life. You should always graduate!

What if you’re afraid of failing in work life and work assignments?

Mikko: I think many people doubt their readiness for work, but the simple truth is that you cannot learn to be a good designer without working as one first. It’s best just to start doing and experimenting, and also putting yourself into difficult situations. Of course, it’s always good to be aware of your personal skills, and to know when to ask for help.

Pinja: It’s an endless road. You’ll always be wondering whether you’re good enough, and there’ll always be someone who’s better at it. But nobody else has the same vision as you do, and that’s what makes you special. It’s ok to be nervous, but you shouldn’t let the fear of failure affect your work. Maybe at the point when you notice you’re not afraid anymore, you can start all over again with something else.

Can you tell us a funny mistake from your first work experiences?

Mikko: Making mistakes at some point is probably inevitable. Sometimes wrong info ends up on the work file by mistake, and someone else notices it at the last minute. If a client has ordered flyers for a lot of money, it would be a bummer to notice an error on them. I sent some flyers for printing just today, I hope everything’s alright! *knocks on the wood*

Pinja: Something embarrassing must have happened, because my brain has completely blocked it from my mind.

A couple of tips for moving into working life?

Mikko: I might need some advice, too, haha. I have noticed that it makes a difference if people know what you can do. In other words you need to be seen. I got my traineeship, because the design agency had seen the last year’s UMG-magazine, which I was doing. They went to see my portfolio and after that they contacted me. So it is good to start with being visible and putting your portfolio in order.

Pinja: Work hard, but remember to separate your life from working. Try to find a thing that suits you, whether it’s ”trendy” or not. It is really important to find your job meaningful and to respect it and the people around it.