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Aimed at anyone embarking on or developing a career in design. By turning his personal experience of the leap from classroom to industry, Lee McCormack has written a great manual of advice.

In ten chapters the book explores the motivations and characteristics of designers and the exciting challenge of design as a profession. Design adapts to and helps shape the way we live. ‘Design is an important job. Being a designer means that we can influence peoples lives…’
The book provides practical grounding for those with such aspirations. After graduating from Goldsmiths College, London in 1997, McCormack’s experience of product design in industry was far removed from his expectations. Designers are Wankers aims to ‘wise-up’ the graduate.

The book’s primary advice is in the art of good communication and understanding an employer’s needs and wants. Here, as in each chapter of the book, a case study from McCormack’s personal experience highlights the point. Advice on how to relate to the business mind is given with the example of the manufacture of the Oculas. McCormack’s pod-shaped module for personal entertainment and relaxation took eighteen months from its concept to product. The design was guided by feasibility, manufacturing capabilities, funding and needs.

Written in a comprehensive yet un-theoretical manner, Designers are Wankers offers a chapter-based checklist of processes and eventualities to be aware of; how to fulfil a brief, attribute time and build up a successful working relationship with the client. At the manufacturing stage, the new designer is advised to understand the processes of each factory by working alongside the practitioners for a period of time.

McCormack gives guidance on how to promote ideas and how to protect them. He addresses copyrights, trademarks, patents and contracts. The reader is given a list of questions to ask to identify ‘sharks’ hungry for the graduate’s innovative ideas. Lastly, the designer’s style is addressed; perseverance and integrity being key attributes to success.
‘Over time, your personal and working life are both represented in your creative life…You will find that there are fewer restrictions on where you can work from and what you are able to do…’

The final third of the book offers enlightening interviews from a cross-section of design. Five successful practitioners describe how they reached their positions and give their advice to those embarking on a career in design. Paul Smith, Founder of the Paul Smith Clothing empire, believes work experience is indispensable. Neville Brody, Graphic designer and typographer, gives testament to the success of more radical work. Karim Rashid, product designer, urges against a short-term mindset. Jason Kirk, founder of Kirk Originals, wants graduates to understand what industries are trying to achieve. And Piers Roberts, co-founder of Designers Block and RISKIT, indicates ‘exchange’ as a way of furthering design careers. Education, he says, doesn’t stop at design college.

Designers are Wankers is an education. It is a handbook that McCormack has written simply because he has found a need for it himself. It is from one designer with experience to those stepping into industry for the first time. With this book they can expect to be an asset to their employers and successful in retaining their own values.

Published in 2005 by About Face Publishing
ISBN 0-9550968-0-4
240 pages
220 x 160 mm
Designed and photographed by Neil Pereira
Set in Monotype Goudy