No matter our experience, speciality, perspective or style, all graphic designs will find themselves stuck at some point or another – be it creative decisions or career choices (or even both). You may find yourself asking questions about what to do or where to go, which is a great thing to do, but in listening to some outside perspectives, you might just find that something you needed to hear all along. Giving you that extra kick, perhaps challenging the way you think about specific stuff, or maybe simply offering a fresh take on a tired subject. Either way, that’s why we’re here to help.

As we’ve said before, at Pangram Pangram, we hope to foster an intriguing and educational digital space across the board and not just limited to the type we produce. That’s why we launched our Advice series, where we speak to industry leaders and creative heavy-hitters to gain their unrivalled insight into all things creative. This time, we’re focusing on creative and career advice for graphic designers, and we’ve got quite the forward-thinking, innovative, talented trio on our roster. Speaking to designers Africa Pombo and Ananya Mohan, alongside creative studio Mouthwash, we’ve asked for their top tips on navigating the design world. Over to you, folks!

CREATIVE ADVICE





MOUTHWASH



Do the reading. If we’re only capable of creating out of what we know so far, then research changes everything. Go far and wide. The extra effort invested into research and reference-pulling up front not only saves us time later, but enables us to collide worlds together to create something truly unique. It’s easy to skip this step, but I’ve realised over time that the best answers reveal themselves after we’ve explored the edges of what’s possible. Amazing things happen when we’re not attached to the outcome.

Africa Pombo

As a creative, I think taking care of your mental health is just as important as planning your week. Approaching your work with self-compassion and care is key. Designing can be a mentally draining activity, so it’s important to be kind to yourself; listen to your body and understand what routines work best for you.

It’s easy to get stuck down a negative mindset, but remember to reflect on past mistakes and use them as learning opportunities to continue to grow. Trust in your abilities and understand that your work is just a snapshot of your creative journey, with endless possibilities for further evolution and development.

Challenges, feedback rounds and mistakes are inevitable, but that’s no reason to give up and put all the responsibility on yourself. It’s important to develop some action plans to navigate those challenges and continue to grow. I believe that the first step is to know yourself and your capabilities, both as a person and as a professional. Personally, I found it really useful to write down on paper clear goals of what you would like to achieve and the steps you think you’ll need to take to achieve it, as well as a deadline (6 months, a year, etc). This will allow you to break things down step by step, giving you a sense of control and a plan to follow instead of feeling overwhelmed by the bigger picture. Remember, even if you haven’t yet achieved your ultimate goal, taking steps toward it every day and ticking off tasks from your list is a win in itself. So keep pushing forward, stay optimistic, and believe in yourself and your abilities!

Ananya Mohan

Keep honing your craft and building taste. Give your creative work time outside of what you may be asked of professionally – creating work on the side that gives you joy, making more of what you personally want to, and keeping the passion alive for it. Over time you would see yourself evolve and your taste really building.

Also, it is always good to share your work and give it a visible presence!

CAREER ADVICE





Africa Pombo



Applying for jobs or trying to get your foot in the door as a creative can be a challenging and draining process. Sending countless emails with your portfolio and waiting for a response can take a toll on your motivation and self-esteem. However, it’s important to remember that rejection is not a reflection of your worth or talent. There are countless reasons why someone might not respond or decline your offer, and it’s important to think about the other side. They might not have enough money to hire more people or be going through a difficult time. By recognising that it’s not always about you, you can move forward and find better opportunities that are a better match for you.

Freelancing in the creative field can pose significant challenges, particularly when it comes to properly valuing your work and services. Clients may attempt to negotiate for lower rates or offer exposure instead of payment. Protecting your value is essential not only for your own benefit but for the entire industry. Unfortunately, lack of respect isn’t just limited to clients; at times, creatives don't show adequate respect for one another. When we accept unpaid work, we not only diminish our own value but also perpetuate a cycle of low pay for our profession. This entails negotiating for fair compensation and rejecting opportunities that don’t provide sufficient value. While navigating precarious work conditions can be difficult, it’s crucial to consider each opportunity carefully and prioritise your own worth. By demonstrating respect for yourself and other creatives, you’ll encourage clients and peers to do the same, leading to a more equitable and fulfilling creative community.

MOUTHWASH

The little things are the big things. Your first internship, and even your first couple of jobs, might not be your dream job. Do whatever it is that’s been handed to you with a good attitude and go above and beyond in everything you touch. Pay attention to the details, ask questions, and be reliable. What may seem like a silly task now is the foundation for doing bigger and more important work.

Ananya Mohan

Taking it as it comes.

There is no set, standard, linear way to building a career path. Everyone has a unique one! So if things don’t happen right away as you hoped for them to, it is okay to take a breather, try things differently, and take things just as they come. Something out of what you may have fathomed could come along, too, shaping your career differently. Try not to be too overwhelmed by it all.

The nature of a lot of creative work can be super collaborative – so really cherish that. There is so much learning to take from different people. Whether it’s social skills, technical, functional, or really any kind, especially when you’re starting out in your career. Be open, ask questions, and try to soak up as much as you can!

As an intern, I remember I was really anxious and just unnecessarily shy all the time. I would barely say a word, do zero socialising with my colleagues, and would always avoid voicing things as much as I could. Don’t be like me! Realise everyone else is just human. It was difficult for me, in the beginning, to get rid of and dismantle this invisible hierarchy that I had of everyone in my mind, causing me to get anxious and shy and hindering me from being a functioning person, from growing, and from doing any sort of learning.

So be open, relaxed, TALK, and be much braver than how I was.