Represent's Mike Radcliffe on judging this year's It's Nice That Graduates

We are now just a few days away from unveiling our 2014 Graduates; 15 of the most exciting young talents leaving UK art schools this summer. For the first time ever this year we called on a panel of expert judges to help us select our final 15 and we’ll be hearing from them over the course of the next few weeks.

Ahead of Monday’s Graduates launch, we sat down with Mike Radcliffe – founder of our sponsors and London’s leading design recruitment agency Represent – to pick his brains about the young creatives he ran the rule over…

What impressed you about the entries you judged this year?

Mostly the website design of most of the graduates. Web design is becoming further integrated in to design education and many students really know how to create a great looking site. They’re becoming expert marketeers of themselves.

What did you see too much of?

There was a little too much trendy stuff, but then again there always is. There’s lots of referencing the Ettore Sottsass’ Memphis Group, lots of colourful decoration and asymmetrical shapes. That said there’s a market for people who understand trend.

What would be your main advice for Graduates about to enter the design world? What are the most common mistakes young designers make when trying to sell themselves?

Do internships or placements after graduating. Be strategic and look for work in studios that excite you. Don’t necessarily take the first job offered to you, shop around!

Common mistakes include simples ones like typos and bad grammar. I’m also surprised how little design students know about the companies that are out there. More research is needed from students but of course the ones who are “on it” and “get it” are generally the ones who will find the best work.

Supported by Represent

We are very pleased that The It’s Nice That Graduates 2014 will once again be supported by Represent Recruitment. The graphic design recruitment specialists have developed a peerless reputation working with designers of all levels and matching them up with the right positions in some of the top agencies around. Represent’s support has helped us grow the Graduate scheme over recent years and we are thrilled they have partnered with us again in 2014.
www.represent.uk.com