Here are a few of the things I’ve learned my first month as a Pop Artist:

1. With Illustrator Dave is lightning fast…he goes faster than he can think.
2. How many designers does it take to use Media Compass?
3. She who holds the scanner controls precious billable minutes.
4. “Detale” is not a fancy Italian term…it’s simply misspelled.
5. Got a “unique” issue with software? Solution = “your computer hates you!”
6. Watching “Awe Inspiring” Flash Transitions is not billable.
7. BYOB = Bring your own Burner.
8. No Neon Green…..EVER!
9. Vinagrette is NOT gravy.
10. Successfully compiling a multi-paged PDF does not mean I have met perfection.

Successfully compiling a multi-paged PDF does not mean I have met perfection.

Okay, seriously…

The most useful and important thing I learned in school was that your learning begins when you graduate from college and get your first job. For me, graduating was just the beginning of probably the biggest learning curve of my life. My first job right out of college proved to be educational in many “interesting” ways. Unfortunately it was a lot like school in that all I learned was what was needed to get the job done with no emphasis on how important it is to continue to stay educated.

In the short time that I have been at Pop Art I have already learned a great deal more than I thought I would. The truth is that so far in everything I have done from editing prototypes to adjusting graphics I have learned something. Whether it is a new technique in a familiar program or a new program altogether, I have yet to have a task that has not taught me a bit of something.

Among the things I’m learning about is the business itself. I had never really stopped to consider how much I was going to learn about the industry; something the school I attended taught nothing about. School was a focus on taking classes that taught the bare basics of design and the necessary software required to get your foot in the door. Very little was mentioned about the business side, no classes and no real foundation to learn how essential it is to fully understand the core of the industry. In understanding how the business works, I believe it makes it easier for a designer to effectively do his job. I’m quickly learning that you have to know the business to really succeed in this competitive industry.

I consider myself extremely lucky to have gotten the job that I currently have where acquiring new ideas and skills is part of your job description and exploring outside of the box is encouraged. Rather than forcing you to “stay safe” it’s a comfort knowing that those around you are certain the only way to advance is to steadily push yourself forward. Progress is good and innovation is necessary. Incidentally it helps that I work among some of the finest creative minds that I have ever met. My co-workers are full of experience and skills that I find very motivating and inspiring as an up and coming designer. I’m excited about all that I’m going to learn here.