Brand No.62 (After Graduation Career Delelopment)

 Introduction “Graduation” is a hot topic at any time in any country, and numerous articles of graduation projects are reported every year. However, how designers survive and develop their career after graduation is often ignored by the public. The knowledge of this matter is even absent in the courses. In Issue 62, BranD decided to shift its focus away from the inspiration and creativeness of design, and come up with a basic and common question to designers—how to become an excellent designer—hence the theme “After Graduation: Career Development of Designers.” This issue focused on the growth of the new generation of designers, hoping to provide them with knowledge and spirit to face various difficulties and challenges, and unleash their potential for being great designers. To explore and solve the most practical problems after graduation, BranD invited 15 emerging designers and design studios from 10 different countries to share their challenging journey, by the means of in-depth career development files, group interview with readers, and free paintings about stress-relieving tips, and also shared an inspiring report of design industry trends mainly initiated by Dribbble. Graduation is just a beginning. Let’s explore how to become a great designer in this era with the 15 outstanding designers and design studios around the world! The selling points of this issue: 1. BranD invited 15 eminent designers and design studios from 10 different countries to share their career development, most of who are the winners of international design awards, like Young Guns, JAGDA New Designer Award, ADC Award and Cannes Lions. Combining their resumes, interviews and works, BranD organized 15 designer career development files, hoping to help readers better grow in the design industry. 2. 100 design works were included in this issue, covering visual identity, type design, illustration, packaging design, editorial design, 3D modeling and experimental creation, to show readers the diversified application of design. 3. To reveal the confusion that designers are most concerned about, three Hands-Up workshops are led by readers, who could directly ask the invited 15 designers and design studios any questions about graduation and design. The workshops themed on three stages of the designer career development: Prepare for Graduation, The Guide for Occupational Designers, and Hit the Core of Design. 4. To stand out in the industry, especially in the era full of changes and challenges, designers also need to notice global design trends. BranD republished Design Industry Trends Report led by Dribbble, including survey about designer demographics, career trends and remote work. 5. When you design, what could release you from pressure? To reveal the fun and relaxing side of a designer’s life, BranD set the column “Take a Nap: Designers’ Free Paintings,” and invited designers to share their stress-relieving tips through the go-as-you-please creation. 6. The concise cover design is inspired by currency, expecting to provoke thinking on the value of graduation and encourage readers to increase their own value after graduation. The solemn and ceremonial style enhanced by the classic palette and gold stamping is in a contrast with the interesting hand-painting, trying to tell readers that design can be both serious and fun. 7. BranD specially referred to the style of personal journal and adopted collage and handwritten notes, together with 15 resumes that can be torn off and used as bookmarks and references to career planning, hoping that readers can’t help collaging and taking notes and can make his or her own handbook of designer career development. 8. This interesting designer handbook contains three creative special-shaped inserts to present three Hands-Up Workshops. While being surprised by the graphic changes, readers listen to the designers’ answers about how to solve practical problems of career development.