IDIAMM

So last weekend I went to the Oxo barge to see the multi university graduates show……

3 things I’m going to say about the show:

Passion
Perspective
Pride

Passion can be seen in all the work. This isn’t a statement about the best work, the most talented designers or the most technical. It’s about the level of commitment and the passion to succeed that drove them to complete 3 difficult years with added CV19 for good measure. Belief in their projects, their designs and their abilities drove them to succeed. Well done! I also had the opportunity to meet some graduates from a uni I almost went to 28 years ago and we had a long chat about their journey,what they have learnt and how they want to get to that next level. This will require personal commitment to develop additional skills and approaches but I don’t doubt they will succeed……(and yes I am giving them some assistance!)

Pride is the last point. I’m not affiliated to any university but I work closely with a specific course leader /university and the comments and feedback I heard from other industry professionals about their show filled me with joy. The quality of work, standard and designs recieved great feedback and no doubt industry opportunities will be opening up for those graduates very soon. Some of my students (those that have attended my weekly fee evening classes since their 2nd yr) were on display and I could not have been prouder of their achievements (1sts/awards/overcoming personal struggles to create great projects/built great knowledge/confidence/learn industry techniques and mindsets) and each of their FMPs blew me away. I am confident they will each have long successful careers and their knowledge and abilities will serve them well and open new doors for them very quickly. They committed to extra learning, opened up to build an additional mindset approach running concurrently with their university to grow at twice the pace. They worked extra hard and achieved great things ……

Perspective is always important. The interpretation of what an interior architecture/ interior design / spatial design degree course will teach to prepare the next generation to be industry ready, gain full time employment fast and get on that career ladder will vary quite greatly I believe. No 2 designers will developed a brief the same way, no 2 courses are the same. Yes they may tick the same boxes, have the same subject matter and teach the same subject but the outcome will always be different. There’s a fine line between creativity and realism. Industry professionals view this show and benchmark standards different ly than your tutors because they are looking to bring someone into a company to add value, at speed and assist a live project. Yes there is a learning curve but the time taken to teach can be limited……For those that read my posts know that I am all about getting everyone industry ready, bridging the gap to make you as employable as possible and getting you on that career ladder. My perspective is some courses put more emphasis on this than others, but that is just my opinion……Curious how the graduates feel about this especially having seen upclose other universities output and basically competition…..?

For those that presented I salute you. I also hope you used the show as an honest bench mark of where you are, seeing what others have done and deciding what new skills and growth you want to have to keep momentum and get on that career ladder and beyond. What ever your grade, where ever you find yourself after graduation, remember your opportunities are only limited by you. Uni has finished so draw that line in the sand and walk over it….Your education hasn’t ended, it’s up to you how you add to your skillset to grow, learn more and developed new skills. This is only limited by you…….What are you waiting for?