I Used to Be a Design Student: 50 Graphic Designers Then and Now

by Billy Kiosoglou, Philippin Frank

This book offers a rare chance to read what graphic designers feel about their education and profession. Fifty influential designers give the low-down about their student days and their professional lives. A piece of their college work is shown alongside an example of current work. Each designer also offers a key piece of advice and a warning, making this a must-read for anyone embarking on a career in design.
Contributors include Stefan Sagmeister, James Goggin, Karlssonwilker, Studio Dumbar, Cornel Windlin, Daniel Eatock, Spin, Hyperkit, and Christian Küsters.

Genres: Design, Nonfiction, Art, Art Design, Reference

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2013

Reviews

[Srishti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for a casual read if you're a design student. It is mostly focused on graphic design and unlikely to be very useful for even graphics students. Looking at past and present work and lifestyle is fun for a while.

[Yana Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty fun and engaging at the beginning, but after about a half of the book it became pretty monotonous. Closer to the end I just quickly flipped through the rest of the projects and only read about those, that looked appealing to me.

[Seven Pesos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I didn't have to return this to the library.

Excellent design + life coaching resource.

50 designers give advice to design students + professionals. They provide their unique perspectives and insight into the field.

Lot's of good quotes and advice.

This book gave me lots to think about.

[Luīze Sniedze · Rating 3 out of 5]

Iedvesmojoši un motivējoši darīt vairāk, bet pati grāmatas uzbūve diezgan neveiksmīga, manuprāt.
Pārāk daudz informācijas atkārtojās.
Laikam dizaineriem labāk radīt jaunus mākslas darbus, nevis rakstīt. Nu nepadodas.


Work your ass off but don't be an asshole. -Stefan Sagmeistar

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read due to how little text there is.
Interesting but not in-depth enough for me.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting resource for design students to compare the work of famous designers, as both students and professional. Creating a fresh past and present comparision.

[Qubitng · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cool book packed with a surprising amount of information.

Two criticisms though: (1) I felt it would have been better if they had presented the designer's pieces first and then had the designer's interview after because the interview talks about the pieces but the reader has no clue unless he turns the page first. (2) I wish the portraits on pages 22 and 23 were in color instead of in a depressing high contrast black and white. I agree with another reviewer that some designers are terrible writers; maybe the written word is not as expressive as spoken ones or design feelings just aren't easy to set in writing.

[Shilpa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Words and design work artfully together
For the full review go to: http://thinkblink.ca/blog/?p=603

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out great, but got kind of redundant by the end of it and the majority of people polled weren't very interesting writers. Maybe an actual designer would find it more engaging?

[Anna Pavlova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Had some very useful advice.