Good ideas don’t only come on paper

What a strange set up we find ourselves in. As designers we give the client ideas based on the information supplied to us. With inspiration, imagination and typographic knowledge we present those ideas on paper for the client to view, cogitate, mull over, reject or buy whole-heartedly.

As designers it is our job to influence and educate clients and to sell new ideas. To take a risk with something new that has not been done before is the challenge – after all, if it is different recognise it, don’t reject it.

Why then, when presenting work to a potential client, does that client have to have finished printed pieces of work? I am a graduate but with experience and some printed pieces. I am finding that choice clients or creative directors are wanting more printed articles. In a way, so would I. But the projects that I have are design proposals in their own style, in printed form.

Surely it is the way a designer thinks, feels and influences that should be taken into account? Should graduates have all their work put out to repro? Work printed at their own expense? So that when a potential client or employer sees their portfolio they would spot the printed work and maybe get the job? A recent interview led me to believe this direction was the answer. The interviewer stated that I was a good designer, I had a good portfolio, a good graphic eye, that I was an ideal candidate for the position, etc. I still did not get the job. Why?

Paul Edis, Thoresway, Lincolnshire