The Tribune

By Deidre Bastian

Interacting with students and young designers has always been a rewarding endeavour for me. I often receive plenty feedback from potential designers and college students seeking advice regarding design careers. This unquestionably is a positive step in the right direction.

Motivation and inspiration can never be overstated, especially when we occasionally make wrong career decisions expecting a seamless result. This week we meet a young, passionate lady, Lakiera Brown, who studied web design at Success Training College.

Her studies comprised of Adobe Flash, Daz Studio, Poser, Dreamweaver and Photoshop, and from this platform she offered a few thoughts for persons pursuing a web design career.

How did you get started?

Answer: As a primary school kid, I always had an interest in art. Actually, I’ve always excelled in art. Many times I have expressed to friends, both online and offline, that I wanted to share my creations with the world, but never had the skill of drawing.

It wasn’t long before I was introduced to Adobe Photoshop, which was a” touch and go” experience, and thereafter my interest started. Additionally, due to hard work and encouragement from friends and family members, I felt more confident and, finally, for more exposure I decided to introduce my work to the public.

What steps would you suggest a small business, interested in a website, take?

Answer: I may have never sold a website before, but I can give my personal thoughts on how this process should be. I believe that small business owners primarily should research designers and examine their credibility.

Second, make contact and communicate with the designer to agree upon a website. Thereafter, agree on costs, deadlines, draft revisions and corrections. Upon satisfaction, the entrepreneur can thereafter move to make the site public.

What are your ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of Web/Graphic Design?

Answer: There are many sites that offer ‘do’s and don’t’s’, but there is no right or wrong: Only your way and someone else’s way. Art is really a passion and expression of the soul, and everyone’s soul is different. We don’t like the same things or understand the solution to every problem, so therefore never limit yourself to one learning style.

What advice would you give someone pursuing Web Design?

Answer: My first advice is to ensure that is what you want to do, as the industry may look easy on the outside, but it is a very serious sector that is detail driven with long hours.

Web design and graphic arts, in my opinion, are careers that feed the soul as well as the wallet. I was told as a child by my deceased father that “a person should never wake up every morning to go to a job that makes them unhappy”. A job should be what your heart desires, as it will make you more satisfied and your work more gratifying.

Can you share any feedback regarding previous designs?

I have often been praised with regard to my designs, but most memorable was the reassurance from my design teacher, Trevor Lightbourne. He told me “I am better than I think I am”. Another substantial compliment was made by Brandy Thomas; a more experienced graphic designer, who assured me that I am on the right path.

How do you deal with customers who make constant changes?

I have encountered this challenge several times. For instance, I had a particular customer who requested repeated modifications even though he was happy with my designs. But I still offered additional suggestions, which delighted him. So it does help to offer suggestions to help perfect a customer’s design.

To add further muscle to Lakeisha’s points, I believe that having a good attitude is vital, as life has a custom of not following neat narratives. By this same token, accept the fact that in this business some clients will love your work and others will not.

Learn how to value your time, boost your talent and take care of yourself. Besides, let’s follow the legacy her deceased father coined: “It doesn’t matter which career path you wake up to, just make sure that it makes you happy.” So until we meet again, fill your life with good memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game!

• NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT COLUMNIST: Ms Bastian is a professionally-trained graphic designer/marketing co-ordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.