As of late, I've been trying to look at things more and more from the vantage point of our students. Not that this hasn't always been the case, it's become more top-of-mind recently.
Obviously, after 20 years in the profession, some things come as second nature, but they always weren't that way. Although much has changed in that time (for instance, there was no such thing as the internet when I was in their shoes)... much has not. Looking back at the things that had concerned me when I was at their stage has provided a few insights into it all.
For instance, inspiration — and where to get it — has always proved vexing and seemed like a good place to start. No one expects an early practitioner to venture into a field without something under their belt and — if not experience — it should at least be some solid inspiration, right? (and eventually both)...
Taking into account, too, that many of our students didn't grow up speaking English as their native language, some things that I might take for granted — like that a type combination of Franklin Gothic and Clarendon having a vintage "academia" feel — is cast in a very different light.
But rather than try to chase it down myself, I opened the question up to the students. Below are their responses.
Above: Screenshot from a wonderful kinetic type piece based on the wisdom of Ira Glass.
