Play on the jungle gym

I've been reading the Lean In book and came across a concept I just had to share with you - it makes sense, and it's never occurred to me before:

"Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder." (Pattie Sellers of Fortune magazine)

We've all heard the saying "climbing up the corporate ladder blablabla". But ladders are limiting. We move up and down this ladder, get on or off, but we never once even consider going sideways, for example.

There's only one way to get to the top of a ladder, but many ways to get to the top of a jungle gym. Makes sense, right?

So if you're stressing about your career path and that dreaded question in interviews, "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" - it helps to think of the jungle gym.

It's ok not to have a clear structure. It's ok not to have your career mapped out. It's ok, to move sideways.

It actually helps to think this way - it takes the pressure off. In today's competitive world, the reality is, we won't always be able to accept a job that will take us to the next step in the ladder. We might have to trade our seniority to acquire a new skill, we might have to drop a level.

But in a jungle gym, that's fine. Eventually, at the end of the day, all roads lead to Rome. Right?

Research, research, research

I have been doing a corporate design internship for almost three months now, and one of the most important things I have learnt thus far is this:

DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST - Research, research, research!!!

It might seem obvious, but often graphic designers (me included) forget this step. We dive into the  design. But we don't check what's actually out there and draw inspiration from that.

It may seem like a tedious job, but if you are starting a new project you should dedicate at least (!) one day researching. It sounds like a lot, but it will be well worth it.

We have no excuse not to research - thanks to the World Wide Web. And it's ok to look at someone else's work and get your inspiration from there, as long as you don't copy it to the T.

Here are some good sites to help you:

https://www.behance.net (all graphic designers should know this one)
http://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew
http://www.designspiration.net
http://www.pinterest.com (you'd be surprised what awesome things you can find here)

There are plenty more, so if you know of any please do share.

And here's a little motivation, just because it's Friday:

You've gotta lean in!

Women of the world (and men) you HAVE to read this book:

I am only on page 39 but already I feel motivated and inspired.

Sheryl Sandberg, author of the book, is the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook. In 2011, Forbes ranked her the 5th most powerful woman in the world. And with good reason - the things this woman has achieved!

The book is focused on encouraging women to pursue their ambitions, and changing the conversation from what we (women) can’t do to what we can do. The book has even sparked a so-called 'movement' - you can read about it here. And if you're a woman, JOIN!!! Be inspired by the stories of other women in the world who have achieved the impossible. I'd also suggest you follow Lean In on Twitter.

Like I said, I am only on page 39, but already I feel like I can achieve more than I think.

I've been feeling a little overwhelmed recently and uncertain of things career-wise, so reading this book couldn't have come at a better time. I've been telling myself that I am not good enough as a graphic designer, that I won't be successful, etc. etc. You know the drill, and I am sure many of you are or have been in the same boat. But this book is starting to change my mind.

Ask yourself, “What would I do if I weren't afraid?”

And remember that opportunities are rarely offered, they are seized!

I am looking forward to the remaining 145 pages. Thank you, Sheryl.

What is a 'Bookazine'?

I have just started reading this book (and already I can highly recommend it to anyone interested in magazine design - unfortunately it is only available in German)

and have come across an unfamiliar term - 'bookazine'. This concept is becoming more and more popular, so as graphic designers (especially the ones working in the magazine industry) we should know what it is.

Apparently a bookazine is a hybrid of a BOOK and a MAGAZINE. The name says it all.

According to this website, it's "a glossy, A4 perfect bound (stitched paged) one-off product ... generally ... between 116 and 132 pages, and ...  all printed on very high quality thick paper, with a glossy cover. Bookazines are specialist titles covering an area or genre, which also contain a small percentage of advertising to make the product more affordable".

It is said that as magazines are fading away slowly (I am not convinced), more and more bookazines are popping up. People can get the information they find in magazines online, so there is no need to spend the money on an actual magazine. Bookazines, on the other hand, offer more than just the info you would also find online. I provides more research, more insight, more analysis (hence the thickness). Which is als why they appear less frequently than magazines, but have a longer shelf life.

An example of a bookazine:

Creatives will be familiar with this range of bookazines, which can be found in the Computer/Technology section of most magazine racks. Can you think of any South African bookazines? Has the trend even picked up in South Africa yet? Will it?

We are told time and time again that print is dead and that magazines will become obsolete unless they go digital. I am not so sure. I am still a big fan of magazines - there is just something about being able to hold them, page through them, smell them - something the tablet can't offer.

However, I am not sure that making magazines more bookish will help keep magazines alive. Do you? If I want a book, I will buy a book. What you also need to consider is that these bookazines cost more than your average magazine - and even those are already expensive as is, I think.

It will be interesting to see what happens... If more and more bookazines will hit the shelves. In the mean time, I will stay loyal to my Cosmo, my Essentials, my Elle...

Being a graphic designer

Most people seem to think that being a graphic designer is a walk in the park, a job 'anyone' can do (I've heard this too many times and it makes me mad - I might just smack the next person dumb enough to say this to my face).

But it's not.

What people don't realise (including myself when I first started), is that being a graphic designer isn't always easy.

So let me list a couple of things they don't teach you at design college:

1.  Technology is evolving, and so we need to as well. Computer programs keep changing, and new ones keep popping up. We need to stay up-to-date all the freakin' time - which we are often expected to do in our 'free' time outside of work.

2. We need to teach and train ourselves. We use the resources at hand like books (yes, they still exist) and online videos, and are left to our own devices. We can't always afford to run to the nearest design school for this.

3. Our CVs and portfolios need to be a work of art. We can't just hand in a Word document when we apply for a job. We need to hand in a masterpiece. And trust me, it takes a lot of time and a lot of effort to work on that CV and portfolio.

Needless to say our portfolios need to be updated frequently. They need to include mock-ups, animation, etc. etc. Whatever you can think of that will make a lasting impression.

4. We need to have an online presence - and this too, needs to be updated regularly. Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Behance, our own personal blog or website. Staying on top of all of these sites is not easy.

5. Design is very subjective. Chances are your client won't have the same taste as you. You need to be able to accept harsh criticism. So if your client wants Comic Sans, you give them Comic Sans (even if you're dying a slow and painful death inside).

6. You don't get paid much - especially in the beginning. As a junior graphic designer you will be exploited. But you will also learn a helluva lot.

These are just some of the points I could think of, but I am sure there are more. Fellow graphic designers, share them in the comments section if you like.

So you see, there are a lot of factors to be considered when you become a graphic designer. It's not a walk in the park. So don't take us for granted. And don't tell us how easy it is.

Why with an h?

Hello world!

My name's Kat. Well it's actually Kathrin, hence the blog name. But let's stick with Kat.

It's German - and according to my passport and parents, I am German. But I was born in Indonesia and grew up and live in South Africa, so most of the time I don't feel very German.

I'm a graphic designer by trade but I also spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Currently, I see myself going through a quarter-life crisis (yes, it's a thing), so this blog is going to be a great number of things - mostly design-, technology-,  food- and travel-related. Things that make up my life and keep me up at night.

So sit back and enjoy the ride - there is a lot that goes on in this brain of mine!

And here's a cat meme because I can and because I like cats: