UK\US design culture

[experiMental]

@w i l l

There is a different mentality towards product design in the US. And I think that comes from a bigger scene and more opportunities. The UK scene is a bit desperate and tends to be split 2 ways… mega play… as in RCA borderline art projects and virtually no play… ‘agencies’ as they call themselves designing the bare minimum to get by… ‘get the job out the door’ and get paid. And with a massive lack of interest in good design or skillsets, other than ‘can you use Solidworks?’. The UK angers me. The US… I can’t get a visa for, but have spent some time there.

I never thought it was this bad, but I can see where you’re coming from. My question is: if you’re stuck in a company that doesn’t value concept work, is a potential solution to this problem a challenging personal project that could also benefit your company?

Will: why can’t you get a visa to the US? Is it because you have an ID education and the US govt. doesn’t offer work visas to foreign ID professionals who haven’t got a formal job offer from US?

I was often wondering about studio culture like in some US companies, but can’t that get a bit stifling after a while? Does it actually confine you more to that studio than anywhere else? If you’re working with the same people all the time, doesn’t it get a bit too predictable, because you’d expect a certain remark from them?

[w_i_l_l]

@mirk

I have a friend who’s applying for med schools in both the UK and the US right now, and she received the advice (from an admissions officer) that for US applications, you have to be much more self-assured, almost cocky, but for UK applications you have to be much more humble in your statements and let your resume speak for itself.
For those that have worked in both regions, do you think this applies to applications to design firms as well (maybe to a lesser degree)?

Med schools are different though. To be honest I don’t even think that 90% of design agencies in the UK know what they’re looking for in a resume or portfolio other than can the applicant use Solidworks.

[w_i_l_l]

@experiMental

@w i l l

There is a different mentality towards product design in the US. And I think that comes from a bigger scene and more opportunities. The UK scene is a bit desperate and tends to be split 2 ways… mega play… as in RCA borderline art projects and virtually no play… ‘agencies’ as they call themselves designing the bare minimum to get by… ‘get the job out the door’ and get paid. And with a massive lack of interest in good design or skillsets, other than ‘can you use Solidworks?’. The UK angers me. The US… I can’t get a visa for, but have spent some time there.

I never thought it was this bad, but I can see where you’re coming from. My question is: if you’re stuck in a company that doesn’t value concept work, is a potential solution to this problem a challenging personal project that could also benefit your company?

Will: why can’t you get a visa to the US? Is it because you have an ID education and the US govt. doesn’t offer work visas to foreign ID professionals who haven’t got a formal job offer from US?

I was often wondering about studio culture like in some US companies, but can’t that get a bit stifling after a while? Does it actually confine you more to that studio than anywhere else? If you’re working with the same people all the time, doesn’t it get a bit too predictable, because you’d expect a certain remark from them?

I just think that getting a visa for anyone outside of the US is difficult or costly unless you know the loopholes, which I dont. Or you could be sponsored but then you’d have to be better than virtually everyone to justify it, which I’m definitely not as there’re a lot of good desigers and a strong product culture there.

[bepster]

@w i l l

I just think that getting a visa for anyone outside of the US is difficult or costly unless you know the loopholes, which I dont. Or you could be sponsored but then you’d have to be better than virtually everyone to justify it, which I’m definitely not as there’re a lot of good desigers and a strong product culture there.

While it might be difficult, it is far from impossible.
There is some cost and hassle involved that the sponsoring company must be willing to shoulder. However you should remember though that while the cost of a Visa might appear grand to you, for an established and successful design firm, it’s peanuts in exchange for the talent and work you bring into the company.

You just need to find the right place and time and a good portion of luck. However, not applying under the assumption that “everyone is virtually better”, is not the right way.
I am living proof. While I am quite insecure about several aspects of my design skill set, it that did not hinder a reputable US design firm to hire me nonetheless and pay for my visa.