Recently, Creative82 has received a number of requests from students looking for a short term placement. It’s always nice to hear from students with their fresh, mega keen and ‘raring to go’ attitude. Their enthusiasm is fantastic given the ‘state of the nation’ at the moment where creatives are being squeezed and squeezed. Together with a cover letter, usually with the customary typo, they attach their portfolio or, even better, a link to their website.

Designers always enjoy going through a well developed and nicely presented portfolio but what is often missing is why something looks the way it does. Sadly, it’s all too easy to find an attractive image, select an interesting typeface and drop some text into a page layout.

The first thing I often look for is often the thing missing. What was the brief behind this? Design students often get caught up in presenting the most visually appealing work but a nicely designed brochure for the local fish shop where the brief has been met impeccably is of far more interest to me. It shows an understanding of the design process, an ability to deal with a client, an understanding of the technical requirements for print or web and, hopefully, some creative flare. I have to say I’ve been impressed with the students who have contacted me but all too often I wish I had an idea about why they created what they created.