CapU Bachelor of Design Fourth Year Students Give Their Advice To Earlier Years
A completely accurate reenactment of fourth year. (Disclaimer: Absolutely no one was harmed... except maybe their sleep schedules.)
As they prepare to showcase their work in the upcoming grad show and become the newest alumni of the IDEA School of Design, the CapU Bachelor of Design class of 2026 has some wisdom to share. They’ve weathered the late nights, the creative blocks, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect portfolio. Now, they’re passing the torch.
We asked our graduating fourth-years what advice they would give to their earlier selves. Their answers are raw, real, and full of the hard-earned lessons that only experience can teach. From practical file management to protecting your passion, here’s what they had to say.
“Don’t procrastinate.”
“Talk to your cohort! Lift each other up, inspire and be inspired and don’t forget that you’re all in this together.”
“Put in work as soon as you can, and work hard. Enjoy the little bit of free time you can.”
“TAKE BREAKS!!! GET FEEDBACK!!! TAKE BREAKS!!! GET FEEDBACK!!! TAKE BREAKS!!! GET FEEDBACK!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥”
“Don’t be afraid to try new things and make lots of mistakes, that’s the best way to learn and improve :D”
“Don’t be afraid to take your own twists on projects, this way you allow yourself to get into the habit of getting excited and motivated for each project. You’re creative after all, you got into this program for a reason!! And when the times get tough, remind yourself it’s really not that deep—believe me, been there, done that. Take a breather, take some time away from it, and when you’re ready, come back and reevaluate. You got this!! You’re an academic weapon RAHHHH”
“Be kind to yourself!!! You’re inevitably going to improve the more you learn each year (even beyond this program), so don’t stress about making everything absolutely perfect or ‘not living up to your full potential.’ (This is mostly a reminder for myself, oops)”
“Don’t let perfectionism take over! Try new things and take risks, as this is your chance before entering grad year. Prioritize sleep—PLEASE! Everything sucks so much more when you lack sleep. Also, go outside; we’re sitting on our asses in front of screens all day, every day. Nature heals!!!”
“Work on that damn p word (p*rtfolio)”
“Take feedback and really work on it. Try not to overthink your concentration, because you’ll have to do everything anyway.....”
“You can’t make truly good art and erase the very core ideas, techniques, and imagery that make you motivated and fulfilled in the act of creation at the same time. That’s how you get slop. Do NOT change your art style and draw in a way you hate just to be ‘marketable.’ If you do, you’ll become miserable very quickly. I tried that and I hated it.”
“Lock tf in NEOWWWWW ”
“Take time to self-indulge in hobbies so you don’t fry your brain and want to die.”
“Prioritize your time for IDEA work. If you can, reduce your work hours to focus on your third and fourth years.”
“Drink water”
“Don’t be afraid to experiment and take time to figure out what you want to do. ”
“Try your best not to compare yourself and your work to your classmates. Go to each other for inspiration, but remember to return to your own vision/skills/hopes/dreams at the end of the day. There will always be someone more skilled or talented than you, and stressing about keeping up rather than putting time into your own work is not worth the anxiety. :) u got this!!!!!!”
“Name your files, Organize your files, Save your files, Back up your files, Repeat 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️”
“Keep an external hard drive.”
From the paramount importance of backups to the vital need for self-care, this collective wisdom is a masterclass in navigating the demands and delights of design school. It’s more than just a list of tips; it’s a testament to the resilience, creativity, and community that defines the IDEA School of Design.
The class of 2026 leaves behind not just a legacy of incredible work—soon to be unveiled in their grad show—but a guidebook for those who follow. Take it from them: trust your journey, support your cohort, and remember to drink water.
We can’t wait to see what they do next. Congratulations, graduates!
