Wednesday, January 12, 2016
What did I Learn?
Today was mentally my toughest day. I think its because it started with me running out of my house frantically in order to get here on time. Meeting with the Dr. Ferrell and Professor Lundstrem was a great opportunity for me to introduce myself professionally to clients and to speak in a manner where I was eager to work with them. This to me was the most important lesson today; being ready for everything.
What were my challenges?
Time management is becoming evident in my life now especially because I have multiple projects waiting on me this coming semester. Learning how to work on projects while sending emails and meeting with clients isn’t easy. I commend Ms. Jordan and all the other members here at FC who’s doing this with ease.
How did we help each other?
Arianna and Mandy had to read a few of my emails before I sent them to make sure they were professional and clear. They are well appreciated!
Those in-person introductions to your future clients will serve you well.
Which today had some surprises, you sorted out your emotions, got into a productive work mode, and took control of the day’s effort.
It is a time management skill, balancing the effort that goes into concept development and communication with clients. No one expects you to have that skill yet, however, by the time you complete training, you must realize it is a critical skill to learn. And guided practice may be useful in that skill development. So keep observing and asking questions of team mates, how do they balance the design work and client communication. One consideration is that communication is an essential element in developing good client relationships. So checking in with clients, delivering completed work, clarifying what you understood from your meeting (like you did with Prof Ossola), asking for assistance (when you are not under a deadine) or feedback from peers, finding out what work can go on “the back burner” (like the admin. guide)— all of these considerations will go a long way in creating satisfying and successful design work.
And most importantly, having you become the professional that you are certainly more than capable of becoming, in design work or any work that you do, currently and in future.
Great work today, Paul, as well as the past week. I know you’ve been receiving a lot of information in the past few days, and several projects that you had to juggle back and forth with. This is the real world.. Designers work with deadlines everyday and constantly bombarded with information left to right. In time you will see.
Also, I liked your initial answer to my question of what is “closing the loop.” You will also get into the habit of doing that more and more. It’s a skill needed in the workforce, regardless in what field of study. This is how you build client relationships, trust and respect from others.
Time/project management skills don’t just happen. It’s a skill gained through practice. Sometimes we use the methods that others have used, sometimes we develop our own. You have to find out what’s best for you. The empty calendars I gave you today could be a way to start. Hope it helps! Don’t be afraid to ask any team members how they balance and manage their time.
Meeting your clients in person can be a tough experience but also a rewarding one. Your clients get to know “the real you” and who they will we working with for the semester so it is important to look and sound your best but also be yourself. That balance takes time to understand but that is what are team is here for. Ask questions!
As for time management, there is a saying:
“Being on time is late and being early is on time”
We understand that things come up so we all appreciate you taking the time to contact us to let us know your status.