What do studios look for in junior designers? We asked Justified Studio, Only and The District

Every summer thousands of design graduates are launched into the daunting space of the ‘real world,’ with many finding themselves in the painstaking process of crafting the perfect portfolio to accompany their application. To provide some ease and inside understanding of the situation, we invited leaders from UK-based studios Justified Studio, Only and The District to share some insights into what they look for in emerging creatives from their side of the recruitment process. After a challenging two years of zoom-laden lectures and industry shift to remote working, the impact of the pandemic on design degrees should not be swept aside. Graduates who have seen their university experience impacted by COVID-19 should remind themselves that their achievements are incredibly important and admirable. “Firstly, I think it’s important to acknowledge that it must have been extremely difficult for graduates and junior designers over the last few years,” Manchester-based studio Only’s Creative Director Matthew Tweddle tells us. “And generally, I’m always amazed by the standard of graduate portfolios we receive,” he adds. Whilst there’s been a dip in junior positions during this time, the Creative Director is hopeful that this is being reversed. We asked the creative leaders what stands out to them when recruiting for entry-level positions, alongside what mistakes candidates can make in the application process. Across the three studios, we found that enthusiasm, curiosity and openness go a long way. Cambridge-based design practice The District look for “honesty, engagement and interest in everything and anything,” Creative Partner Matt Bagnall reveals. Eagerness is key, as ideal recruits need to showcase “up for it, active, energetic personalities with passion in what they believe in,” which pairs with a “tight as hell” understanding of design fundamentals, “type, grids, balance and touch.”