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Give yourself permission to present your work early, even if it is unfinished or rough around the edges. Share it with classmates, peers, mentors, or anyone whose perspective you value. Ask questions, invite critique, and be open to thoughtful suggestions. The back-and-forth, the "ping-pong" of ideas, is where concepts evolve, blind spots are uncov... See more

1. Design isn't about you.

Good design isn't pure self-expression. It's problem-solving. The work isn't yours; it's for an audience, a client, and a cause. Put ego second, impact first.

2. Ideas beat beauty.

Shiny doesn't mean smart. A simple idea, executed well, will always outlast decoration or new tech. Start with the thinking.

3. Look beyond design... See more

I wish I knew that the task of being a student isn't to get good grades—it's to learn to learn. That means to be curious, ask questions, lean on those smarter than you, and stumble. These practices carry you through life—or at least through an interesting one—and certainly through business. As an entrepreneur, this is what I've found: success doesn... See more

Ask more questions about the practical things that set you up for the real world.

Skills such as learning to design on a dieline are essential, but should be standard by graduation. What truly sets you apart are the "soft skills," though I hate that phrasing, because there's nothing soft about learning how to navigate a daunting professional world.... See more

Take risks and stay endlessly curious. The few who will thrive are those who look forward and dive deep into the past to create what hasn't been imagined yet. That requires knowing a lot, listening a lot, working with others, and building the resilience to keep going when things get tough.

Veronica Fuerte, Founder and Creative Directress of Hey