IDEA22 set out to explore the working environment and day-to-day tasks of two Vancouver based digital design businesses. In our course IDES-252 we begin to explore the various roles of digital designers. This is an exciting opportunity for industry partners to share their passion and also give students an introduction to the workplace, before the stress of job/internship interview.

This group of second-year students is in the process of studying interaction design foundations. This course focuses on: UX storyboards/user empathy, landing page design, motion design, HTML & CSS, and CMS structures.

Talks focused on:

• Education and career pathways of each team member

• Day-to-day work environment

• Different roles (who will they be working with), even outside the design team

• Why they love their job and what keeps them motivated

• The honest truth of the challenges they will face

Mobify

Host: Jaybe Allanson, Design Director | mobify.com

The entire design team at Mobify, lead by Jaybe Allanson, offered an in-depth introduction to the tech industry. Their office is located at the epicentre of downtown Vancouver with concrete floors, vast open spaces, chalk illustrations on the blue walls and football! As fun as it was to get a glimpse inside their workspace, the treasure was the advice given by the design team. It was an honest and fact loaded talk on preparing yourself for a long lasting career as a designer in tech. With an industry that evolves at such a rapid pace, what are the foundational skills you need to succeed long-term in the field. What are the skills you need to show in your portfolio during graduation and how to land your ideal job or break into the industry.

Metalab

Host: Marie Gosal, Design Director  |  metalab.co

Exposed brick, refurbished hardwood on the edge of Gastown gives the Metalab office warmth and charm — a place you would truly want to spend the day. We were hosted by Marie Gosal, a Design Director and member from other areas of the company such as HR, project management and a intern turned junior designer. They gave us a taste of their current client design work and dove into the daily tasks of team members beyond the design team. They also answered all our questions (we had a lot) and gave some great advice for students entering the industry. Metalab was a great host and seemed to like us — maybe it was the excitement of inspiring the future or maybe it was the Cartems doughnuts we gave them?