1. Tell us a little about your background.

My background actually starts as a fine artist. I entered the University of Iowa as a painting major in 2005. I took a design fundamentals class and I fell in love with the idea of art as a solution. I quickly changed my major, and graduated Iowa this May with a BFA in Graphic Design and a Certificate in Entrepreneurial Management.

My entire extended family works in public service or as educators, except for my siblings. Teaching is almost a rite of passage in my family and I have plans eventually to become a college professor. But working as a designer is new to both my family and me. I received blank stares when I first started talking about design and typography. A few years later, my mom is voicing her opinion on the choice of weight for a typeface on a passing truck...

2. Why move to Chattanooga, a city you'd never been to, and work with people you'd never met?

I don't know if I had spent more than a few hours in Tennessee before taking the internship. Good or bad, I saw it as an opportunity to try something new, take myself out of my comfort range, and learn from new people.

As far as working with people I've never met, that's a great challenge, but it wasn't unique to this opportunity. Every new opportunity presents that challenge.

3. Why would you work for free for 3 whole months, full-time?

For the experience. Being able to put a three month internship on a resume looks great. That said, I took the internship to have a chance to keep doing what I love. The more I considered it, the more I knew it was a privilege. I knew it's what I wanted to do, I'd find a way to make it work.

4. What did you get out of it?

Intangibles I couldn't have obtained in school. School taught me theory, technique, and passion. This internship helped me start to fill the gap between student and designer. Projects like the commerative book for the Chattanooga Football Club gave me the opportunity to work with a well established brand, and design a project from start to finish. Since it was my first book it was challenging, everything felt new. I had to consider all the elements that may  come naturally to an experienced designer. It was trying, but after projects like this, I now feel more comfortable as a designer.

I also learned the importance of strategy in design. Effective communication isn't based solely on visual aesthetics. Watching fellow Widgeteers during workflow meetings or over lunch is an indelible memory. Being around intelligent creatives made me work better, think harder. I learned ways to increase workflow, listening, and communication. Great friends and mentors.

Most of all, I confirmed that design is what I want to do.

5. What will you do next?

Most immediately I will be teaching at my former high school, design and intro art, as a full-time longterm substitute. It will be for three months (appropriately), in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. I plan on going back for my MFA at some point, to be able to teach design at a collegiate level. Teaching high school will be a challenge, but I learn best when I teach. Effective communication is as important of a skill for designers as it is for teachers. It is a very welcome opportunity as I hope to improve my communication skills.

I plan on continuing to freelance as well. Once my teaching job is complete, I am looking for more opportunities as a designer: full-time, internships, or volunteer work. I have no problem interning again!

6. What is your advice to other design grads thinking abut doing the same thing?

If design is your passion, then the decision should be easy. Sure, everyone wants to jump into a paid position right out of school (myself included).  But I found it to be just as important to do what I love. If an opportunity presents itself, take it, learn from it, and use it to get where you want to be. Be patient and work hard. It'll happen.

7. Anything we're not asking that you want to write about?

Working at Widgets & Stone was an amazing experience. I felt challenged, but comfortable in my role there. I gained an appreciation for intelligent design and what it is like to work in a great atmosphere. I already miss the people, the fun, and Widget lunches. Thanks again for the opportunity, you guys are great!

Brian Wleklinski