Comments on: Hiring a designer? Eight things to look for

By: Anthony Minchinton

Anthony Minchinton — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 00:28:26 +0000

From the commercial printer’s perspective it is difficult to define good design, but it is easy to recognise it when you see it. Consequently, when we are asked by clients to suggest potential graphic designers, we simply show them the best of the print jobs we have received. It has not failed yet — at least not since 1972 when I was first taught to do this for clients.

By: Stephanie Machinski

Stephanie Machinski — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:44:01 +0000

Thanks so much John McWade for your article on this website. I am an AIOP student. And our instructor sent us here. And, this has been very informative.

By: Katrina Chu

Katrina Chu — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:55:58 +0000

I am absolutely shocked at the number of people encouraging age discrimination here. If an edgy look is what you want, LOOK AT THEIR PORTFOLIO. Good work is good work. And if you see good work, then you obviously have an individual who knows the technology and can learn. As stated in the post, mental curiosity is readily apparent in an interview or trial period.

Age discrimination is not only unethical, it is illegal. http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/age.html

By: Rex Kwondo

Rex Kwondo — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:14:47 +0000

The fastest way to find out if the designer really knows his/her stuff is to ask, Why . . . did you use that typeface, that colour? etc., as a good designer has considered answers for all these elements and has done his/her thinking before acting. It surprises me how many young designers don’t express any real insight into these things. Mind you, neither do many clients.

By: Cristian Gache

Cristian Gache — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:49:35 +0000

Good article, good comments!

I am 44 years old — design, sculpture and photography experience. I worked ten years as art director and creative manager for an advertising agency. Nobody want “oldies” inside. Now I just started my own business. Everybody appreciated my skills and experience but not my age to hire me. Freelance is better, but it’s hard to design, hard to concentrate for good work and at the same time to account works . . . to solve financial problems. As a freelance designer, you haven’t much time for design.

By: David Harper

David Harper — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:37:21 +0000

It’s sad but not surprising to learn that age 40-plus designers are less desirable in a staff position. Freelancing may be the ideal solution for older designers who work for corporations, associations, and businesses other than agencies and studios. It was for me.

After 15 years in agencies and studios in Dallas/Fort Worth, I have freelanced for 25 years with corporations and associations and at age 61 am always busy with projects. Every client is younger than I, and some are the ages of my daughters. Thus far, my age has not been an issue.

To those considering a freelance transition, I would suggest focusing on large corporations and associations. The projects are generally more challenging, and their staffs appreciate the specialized skills that veteran professionals bring to the process. Another suggestion is to draw a line around the areas that can be driven in about 90 minutes or less from your studio to define new business areas. Occasional face-to-face meetings (particularly in the beginning stages of a project) fit well with emails, phone and uploads.

Good luck!

By: John Anthony Evans

John Anthony Evans — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 08:39:26 +0000

I’d add a technical understanding of the medium they are working in.

One would never employ an industrial designer who doesn’t understand plastic; why would you ever employ a graphic designer who doesn’t understand a simple concept like CSS? They do not have to code, but they must be able to understand.

By: Don Cheke

Don Cheke — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 05:21:13 +0000

Just wait until you hit 50 and see how much age matters. I never in my life thought that I would be discriminated against because of my age, but it is obvious that this is the case. The young pups simply don’t want “dear old dad” at the office with them. It wouldn’t matter how good you are — you are old — and the generation gap lives (even if you are a totally cool 50-year-old). Thank goodness that freelancing works, and one need never meet face to face and encounter this age-old phenomenon.

By: Gordie

Gordie — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:17:55 +0000

When hiring a designer or a photographer, I always walk them to their car after the interview. The upkeep on their vehicle speaks volumes.

By: idezine

idezine — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 21:36:42 +0000

Great article, John — one that clearly addresses guidelines and requirements for people in this field.

To reply to Bridget Drendel’s question regarding age:

Bridget, I think it really depends on the position you are hiring for. These days, design seems to overlap into Web development, which requires constantly keeping up with software. It may even require a certain aptitude for scripting and programming languages. In this scenario, youth trumps age — generally speaking, the younger person assimilates this kind of new knowledge and skill better and faster than the older person.

But . . . if design and artistic ability is a requirement, then age is an asset.

The main reason is that no matter how incredible your design skills are, they’re irrelevant if you do not have self-discipline, communication skills, presentation skills, the ability to deal with clients, time-management skills, and above all, the confidence and self-motivation of a self starter. These are all qualities that accumulate with age and experience.

In an office environment, there is a distance between the young and older designer, but with a freelancer this handicap is removed.

I would emphasize really strongly that if someone is looking primarily for a designer, that you ditch “age” from your vocabulary and perception.

As someone with firsthand experience, I can tell you that regardless of your expertise, you may not get past the interview door if you are over a “certain” age.