How to Be a Design Student

by Mitch Goldstein

Designer, artist, and educator Mitch Goldstein's experience as student and teacher gives guidance and inspiration to help students get the most out of design school.

Life as a design student is filled with questions. Rochester Institute of Technology Associate Professor of Design Mitch Goldstein has many answers, shared in clear, clever, and sage advice that is helpful for students at any level of their education, as well as anyone thinking about attending design school and wondering what it's really all about.

For design students and art professionals, Goldstein is a brilliant resource for real-world thoughts about design school and creative practice. Drawing on 16 years of teaching design and his popular "Dear Design Student" Twitter project, Goldstein explores all aspects of how to get the most out of the school experience, and beyond as a creative professional.

From collaboration and critiques to practice and process, this is an inspiring roadmap for design students as well as a valuable guide for design professors to help them understand how to shape curriculum from a student's perspective and better the collaborative experience.

Goldstein's insightful essays cover such topics

Genres: Design, Art

176 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2023

Reviews

[Jake Dugard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a refreshing take on a “design” book.

It doesn’t really center around the technical or theoretical aspects of design. There are no pictures (well except for the amusing and insightful Venn diagrams). There are no references to famous dead or living designers. There are no tutorials or tricks for using the latest design software.

Instead it attempts to (re)frame how students AND teachers can approach design education (and beyond). Some topics are expected like the critique, collaboration, and grades; while others illuminate lesser known aspects like agency, pulling, and tourist vs traveler vs citizen. Although it is for design students, a lot of the topics easily apply to students in general.

I am assigning this book in my Introduction to Graphic Design class this quarter. I am hopeful the book will spur interesting conversations and help both the students and myself approach the classroom with a new agency.

[Lucie de Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a great part of design education starter kit or you can go without, learn by failing a few times and you will get this insights in a few year too .)

[Carly Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book existed when I was starting college. Despite being several years beyond college this book was very insightful. It gave me perspective on what I could have done better, how I can make up for that now, and even catered to my never ending question of graduate school.

This would be a great read for professionals on all levels. Whether you’re looking to build a stronger career, teach design or want to be a better leader for junior designers, you’ll find bits of information that will get you thinking.

Mitch is truly a thought leader and was the perfect person to author a book like this.

[Plamena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing read that i highly recommend! It is a book that is impossible to let go of and is a book for all design students, educators and to be honest everyone! It gives an amazing view point of the university experience as a designer.
When i read it it gave me the inspiration and spark to work more, to learn more and to be better at my work. It gave me a view point that i thought i had but didn't know i had to hear again. It is written in a friendly note, but also in a way that makes you think through a lot of the things that you are doing in college.
Honestly one of my favourite books so far!

[Sae · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has more of what it takes than the technical stuff to be a good designer. Every chapter has an important lesson that will help a student in the creative field through university and beyond that.
It was an easy read and truly enjoyable, it felt like a teacher was talking to me and giving me advice.
Great book !

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a current college student in their final year, I could not put this book down. The author gave new perspective to things I had experienced very recently and continued to give insightful knowledge about aspects of design im currently experiencing or getting ready for. Inspiring for sure

[Анастасия Ягодкина · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish i read this book at the begging of my bachelor. Now i am at my second semester and i might have to unlearn some things, and apply what was in the book to be a better student and get the most out of the time that is left at school.

[Artemis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was a great read! I may not ever go to design school- simply because I won’t be able to afford it after an English Lit BA- but I certainly find it great for the start of my graphic design journey. This has made me even more excited to dive into it!

[Kere Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enlightening wonderful book. As a design teaching fellow it highlights many of mine, co-workers, and students concerns. Providing clear and engaging points with practical actions.

[Mitchell Volk · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a ton of “How to do design” books but not very many “How to learn design” books. This one is the latter. You need to read this book if you’re a design student (or teacher).

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya would love — I think it’s good to revisit before starting school again in sept, feels like it’s ironing out of my brain every anxiety you could have about school.

[Nancy Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is excellent and it is mainly for students and teachers, but I think it is good for anyone who takes design and art seriously.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and very readable book from an experienced designer and educator on how to use one's time as a design student well, from perspectives of both a student AND instructor. Like a mentor in a book, so much thoughtful, clear sage advice is given and worth repeated readings. It's the book I wish I had when I was a student; grateful to read it now on the other side.

[Deztiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitch has written an honest portrayal of what it’s like to be a student in design.