Problem: The main challenge in creating the Design Prep website was to provide an educational resource that effectively communicated the diverse possibilities of a career in graphic design. The website needed to be more than just informative; it had to engage and inspire its audience, primarily composed of individuals interested in exploring graphic design. The goal was to curate and produce content that was both educational and relatable, showcasing real-life experiences and insights from the field.
Solution: To address this challenge, the Design Prep website was developed as a component of an MFA thesis project. The site featured a unique blend of curated videos from experienced mentors in the field (“Hijacked Mentors”) and self-produced videos depicting a day in the life of everyday graphic designers. This mix provided a comprehensive view of the graphic design profession, from theoretical knowledge to practical, day-to-day experiences.
The website's design and structure were tailored to enhance user engagement, with an intuitive layout that made navigating through different educational resources straightforward. The "Day in the Life" videos offered a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the graphic design profession, giving viewers a realistic perspective of the day-to-day activities of designers. Meanwhile, the "Hijacked Mentors" section provided valuable insights and advice from seasoned professionals, further enriching the learning experience.
This solution effectively bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, offering a rich, multifaceted educational resource for anyone interested in the field of graphic design. The Design Prep website successfully fulfilled its mission to inform its audience about the wide range of possibilities in a graphic design career, doing so in an engaging and accessible manner.