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On 26/6/07 16:07, "benn/ neoco" wrote: Overqualified and underwhelming - system fails students!

We split up and headed out to all corners, looking for someone with a flair for creative and digital and that was the issue. I can count the number of websites I actually saw on screen on ONE HAND! Some of these did not even work. I don't mean the buttons did not link I mean they did not even load (on a local machine). Personally, I think there is a massive issue, when we have such a skills shortage online and yet the colleges, unis, etc are just vomiting out thousands of students who know FA about digital and have not been made aware of it (except for the Flash or DreamWeaver lesson that just puts them off).

Why is digital treated as the bastard brother to traditional creative?

Why is the system churning out a zillion print designers when there are hardly any pure print jobs left? Look in the back of design's own (head in the sand) weekly and you will see that most jobs expect experience or an understanding of digital. These kids have none.

Digital is the future, so why are our future generations are so bloody unprepared for it?!

Best regards

Benn

On 6/26/07, James Walters wrote:

I haven't been to the show but do agree with the point being raised. I work for an in-house design department so the criteria may be a little different.

Having said that, trying to find someone who can write valid XHTML, knows their CSS, has some concept of usability, accessibility and so on seems to be too big an ask. The guys we've hired here have all been self taught. They've studied gained a 'multi-media' degree but learned their CSS, XHTML, php and so on in their spare time.

James Walters Senior Web Designer

On Jun 27 2007, daniel wrote:

- Why is digital treated as the bastard brother to traditionalcreative? - Why is the system churning out a zillion print designers when thereare hardly any pure print jobs left?

I think those are both really the same question, with the same answers:

- Universities are geared up to support industries that have been around for a long time - It's tough for you to hire digital experts; think how difficult it must be for universities with less budget, less 'creative' projects & less understanding of the industry

BUT: there is a whole load of talent out there. Look around a few creative forums, look around youtube &c - there are plenty of people with a ton of talent. many of the younger ones probably understand that university is not going to push them in the direction they want to go.

As James says - there are plenty of "self-taughts" &, as their entire body of work/client list is usually available online, there's no longer a need to look for a university degree to try & judge their capability.

daniel

On Jun 27 2007, Deirdre Molloy wrote:

Hi

Totally agree with the general sentiments here regarding education for the sector - there just isn't enough of it.

What's more, working in digital media *still* isn't seen as a mainstream career option yet, and the few courses and degrees that exist often need to be supplemented with extra-curricular learning.

I'm involved in a course being run this summer by the Digital Womens' Club to improve the skills and career opportunities of women who already have some basic web design experience - with short, intensive courses in Flash, accessibility & web standards, and project management.

http://www.antersite.net/digitalwomensclub/wiki/ And http://tinyurl.com/2dxfwc

It's aimed at under- or unemployed women and graduates and is government-funded so the training is free.

The challenge we're facing is where to reach these people - we've hit the graduate fairs, Facebook, Myspace, CIDA, eConsultancy, Soflow, Creative Capital, Creative London, In Synch, and more...

I'd thought that the Job Centre website might also be good - it gets huge traffic apparently. Just had a look at it however, and they don't have much in the way of granular resources regarding training and education: http://tinyurl.com/2njnep

Deirdre

Editor - Chinwag

Discussion from: http://chinwag.com/uk-netmarketing/