Design Edu Today

Ryan Harasyn Vice President of Design, and Zachary Smith Vice President of Technology at Substantial join Gary Rozanc to discuss the differences between websites and products. The conversation goes into the details of the working process at digital agencies, including how designer, developers, and content strategists work together, Ryan and Zachary also discuss Substantial’s two day interview process and what employers are looking for during face to face interviews.

Jason Dziak Experience Director at Context Digital joins Gary Rozanc to discuss working at a digital design agency, from working in teams to conducting user research before designing begins. Jason also talks about how much the interactive design process has evolved from the early days, especially the shift from designing communications to designing tools such as design patterns. Jason also talks about the new design tools such as Sketch and InVision and how those new tools are helping designers.

Meg Lewis founder of Ghostly Ferns and Scouted joins Gary Rozanc to discuss the different paths to becoming an interactive designer, including creating your own interdisciplinary degree and online training. The conversation goes into the specific skills and inquisitive nature it takes to succeed in the industry upon graduation. Meg also discusses the importance of simply being friendly in a thankfully friendly industry!

Bob Gillespie Principal at The Creative Foundation joins Gary Rozanc to discuss the role of design educators in the 9 to 5 workaday design community and if they have enough practical experience to prepare students entering the industry. Bob also discusses what he has identified as the the transcending fundamentals of good design. Finally, the conversation covers the medium of interactive design versus print design and what fundamentals of good design are specific to each medium.

Val Head designer, speaker, author and co-author of the Motion and Meaning podcast discussing motion for digital designers joins Gary Rozanc to discuss the tools, training, and role of motion design and how to incorporate it into interactive design education. Val goes in depth on the motion design process from sketching to prototyping to final code. Val also discusses how she works with remote team members on an interactive design project.

Lara Hogan Senior Engineering Manager of Performance at Etsy joins Gary Rozanc to discuss performance for interactive designers from, how to take better photos to better understanding file formats. The conversation also goes into details on how design education can include performance training in the classroom and what she wishes beginning graphic designers had more experience with. The conversation wraps up with Lara describing the problem solving skills she looks for when hiring at Etsy and her method for doing it.

Drew Thomas founder and Chief Creative Officer of Brolik joins Gary Rozanc to discuss the preparedness of students entering the industry. The discussion goes into details on their design skills including static vs. interactive design, the importance of typography and the emergence of motion as a way to enhance meaning. Drew also discusses the lack of understanding on how to be professional in communications ranging from initial emails to presenting work. Finally the conversation goes into the ever changing role of the interactive designer and design process need to incorporate responsive design.

Dan Mall founder and design director at SuperFriendly joins Gary Rozanc to discuss the ever changing role of interactive designers from simply designing visuals to not only needing to understanding an organization’s goals, but help identify new goals beyond visual design and sell the clients on that vision. The conversation also goes into details on the approach of traditional four-year university level graphic design education vs. apprenticeships, and the necessary skills, from software to business, that students will need to be industry ready.