Anonymous
Female Graphic Designer
Was it difficult for you to start your career as a designer? Why?
In general I would say no – I had a fortuitous start to my career as a designer, several interesting opportunities appeared as soon as I finished the course, I was able to work side by side with the teachers that accompanied me in my training, while creating portfolio and labour market experience, which later helped me a lot, besides myself the same opportunity was given to two other colleagues, both women, with three female teachers as coordinators.
During your career, did you ever feel you had to make decisions that you think if you were a man you would not have to even consider?
Nothing too striking, maybe clothing choices in an effort to be taken seriously or to not be immediately judged by appearance but by my ability to work. Being judged or just “interpreted” by one’s appearance is inevitable of course, but the comments were always more than many (colleague/boss, professors…) which made dressing as basic and neutral as possible almost a survival technique, both in the academic environment and still today working.
(…) the comments were always more than many (colleague/boss, professors…) which made dressing as basic and neutral as possible almost a survival technique.
Did you ever feel that a client or work colleague treated you differently because you were a woman?
I think so, I can think of several situations where I believe that being a woman influenced the attitudes of colleagues, and mine: I was referred for a job by college colleagues; The client said he did not want to work with me because I made him uncomfortable (for being a woman…). After a few months I ended up working anyway on the project in question, for which I still do small jobs as a freelancer, always without any problem.
In another situation, still in the context of freelance work, it was proposed to me and a colleague with whom I sometimes worked, that we should design the identity and all communication materials for an event, and later we should also design a publication about the event in question – two distinct phases of the project with distinct budgets. When it came time to create the publication, we were told that the work was included in the first budget. When we refused, we were told, in other words, to do it and not be ungrateful and hysterical – and we did it.
Finally, it wasn’t a situation where I would have been treated differently but I also find it curious to mention: in the context of a full-time contract with a studio, at a time when we were recruiting I was told by my boss (founder/creative director) that he was not comfortable hiring men for the team. We are two female designers at the moment and our interpretation is, on the one hand, how much more submissive, or less assertive, women tend to be (by social pressure) in issues such as accepting to work out of hours or accepting remuneration far below our skills and training. On the other hand, by the almost “mother/babysitter” role we end up having to play to an adult man. (This is all from my experience, it’s a subjective interpretation of course).
Apart from these examples, I have been the target of (and witness to) several dress code comments as mentioned in the previous answer – for example, a teacher saying that female colleagues should go dressed in skirts and high heels to create a more pleasant landscape, instead of dressing all in black, always in a jocular tone of course, you don’t want to be accused of sexism…
(…) how much more submissive, or less assertive, women tend to be (by social pressure) in issues such as accepting to work out of hours or accepting remuneration far below our skills and training.
Do you think that the Design education (in terms of bibliography, case studies and references) is inclusive to female designers?
My lack of ability to answer this question may be indicative that no, design education is not inclusive to women designers in terms of bibliography and references (or it may have just been a lack of attention on my part). The truth is that the names I retained were those of the classic “great white men” who go down in history (the same in art history).
Do you consider that most women prefer to work as freelancers, or with a contract with an entity? do you think men think the same way? why?
I’m not sure how to answer that. I work both ways as a matter of necessity. Because of the low pay I get when working on contract, I had to start working also as a freelancer. I know it’s the case of many designers in Portugal, men and women.
In terms of influence, did you feel the presence of the female figure (in the Design History, academic or professional environment)? What designers inspire you?
Especially in an academic environment – to this day one of the things I invariably mention when discussing my experience, was how remarkable three female professors were throughout my degree.
Not only because of the assertive/critical way they approached the role of teacher/mentor, always from the constructive side, unlike several male teachers who took a more condescending and arrogant tone. In fact, it was the female teachers themselves who defended us from unnecessary comments (I felt it myself). Secondly, because I always felt they were more pragmatic, extremely hardworking and concerned.
It is undeniable the influence that countless women had throughout my academic experience, perhaps because there was always a mutual understanding or proximity (for the notion of shared experiences as women) that made me feel respected and taken seriously. Of course there were also male professors to mention, and less good female professors, but maybe because I could see myself more in women, they were always a motivating force.
In fact, it was the female teachers themselves who defended us from unnecessary comments (I felt it myself).
Do you feel that society has any expectations regarding you as a female designer?
I would say no, at least I don’t think I ever felt that expectations were different. Maybe in terms of graphic style and language or type of projects, there may still be some unnecessary assumptions on part of clients or people who are not so into the discipline, and still see the world in blue and pink.
What is your opinion about the female visibility and recognition in the graphic design area?
I feel that the new means of communication and promotion of work have helped to balance the design landscape a bit. The entry into the job market (at least for those who are self-employed) ends up depending more on ‘given proofs’ in the form of portfolio (social networks, websites, etc.) and therefore, perhaps they are less hostage of biased first impressions. Nowadays I can identify several female designers who are starting to gain more visibility thanks to this. I hope that the large number of women we see in design courses, or even just working, will translate into a near future in which the female voice is even more decisive and recognized.
Anonymous
Female Graphic Designer
Was it difficult for you to start your career as a designer? Why?
In general I would say no – I had a fortuitous start to my career as a designer, several interesting opportunities appeared as soon as I finished the course, I was able to work side by side with the teachers that accompanied me in my training, while creating portfolio and labour market experience, which later helped me a lot, besides myself the same opportunity was given to two other colleagues, both women, with three female teachers as coordinators.
During your career, did you ever feel you had to make decisions that you think if you were a man you would not have to even consider?
Nothing too striking, maybe clothing choices in an effort to be taken seriously or to not be immediately judged by appearance but by my ability to work. Being judged or just “interpreted” by one’s appearance is inevitable of course, but the comments were always more than many (colleague/boss, professors…) which made dressing as basic and neutral as possible almost a survival technique, both in the academic environment and still today working.
(…) the comments were always more than many (colleague/boss, professors…) which made dressing as basic and neutral as possible almost a survival technique.
Did you ever feel that a client or work colleague treated you differently because you were a woman?
I think so, I can think of several situations where I believe that being a woman influenced the attitudes of colleagues, and mine: I was referred for a job by college colleagues; The client said he did not want to work with me because I made him uncomfortable (for being a woman…). After a few months I ended up working anyway on the project in question, for which I still do small jobs as a freelancer, always without any problem.
In another situation, still in the context of freelance work, it was proposed to me and a colleague with whom I sometimes worked, that we should design the identity and all communication materials for an event, and later we should also design a publication about the event in question – two distinct phases of the project with distinct budgets. When it came time to create the publication, we were told that the work was included in the first budget. When we refused, we were told, in other words, to do it and not be ungrateful and hysterical – and we did it.
Finally, it wasn’t a situation where I would have been treated differently but I also find it curious to mention: in the context of a full-time contract with a studio, at a time when we were recruiting I was told by my boss (founder/creative director) that he was not comfortable hiring men for the team. We are two female designers at the moment and our interpretation is, on the one hand, how much more submissive, or less assertive, women tend to be (by social pressure) in issues such as accepting to work out of hours or accepting remuneration far below our skills and training. On the other hand, by the almost “mother/babysitter” role we end up having to play to an adult man. (This is all from my experience, it’s a subjective interpretation of course).
Apart from these examples, I have been the target of (and witness to) several dress code comments as mentioned in the previous answer – for example, a teacher saying that female colleagues should go dressed in skirts and high heels to create a more pleasant landscape, instead of dressing all in black, always in a jocular tone of course, you don’t want to be accused of sexism…
(…) how much more submissive, or less assertive, women tend to be (by social pressure) in issues such as accepting to work out of hours or accepting remuneration far below our skills and training.
Do you think that the Design education (in terms of bibliography, case studies and references) is inclusive to female designers?
My lack of ability to answer this question may be indicative that no, design education is not inclusive to women designers in terms of bibliography and references (or it may have just been a lack of attention on my part). The truth is that the names I retained were those of the classic “great white men” who go down in history (the same in art history).
Do you consider that most women prefer to work as freelancers, or with a contract with an entity? do you think men think the same way? why?
I’m not sure how to answer that. I work both ways as a matter of necessity. Because of the low pay I get when working on contract, I had to start working also as a freelancer. I know it’s the case of many designers in Portugal, men and women.
In terms of influence, did you feel the presence of the female figure (in the Design History, academic or professional environment)? What designers inspire you?
Especially in an academic environment – to this day one of the things I invariably mention when discussing my experience, was how remarkable three female professors were throughout my degree.
Not only because of the assertive/critical way they approached the role of teacher/mentor, always from the constructive side, unlike several male teachers who took a more condescending and arrogant tone. In fact, it was the female teachers themselves who defended us from unnecessary comments (I felt it myself). Secondly, because I always felt they were more pragmatic, extremely hardworking and concerned.
It is undeniable the influence that countless women had throughout my academic experience, perhaps because there was always a mutual understanding or proximity (for the notion of shared experiences as women) that made me feel respected and taken seriously. Of course there were also male professors to mention, and less good female professors, but maybe because I could see myself more in women, they were always a motivating force.
In fact, it was the female teachers themselves who defended us from unnecessary comments (I felt it myself).
Do you feel that society has any expectations regarding you as a female designer?
I would say no, at least I don’t think I ever felt that expectations were different. Maybe in terms of graphic style and language or type of projects, there may still be some unnecessary assumptions on part of clients or people who are not so into the discipline, and still see the world in blue and pink.
What is your opinion about the female visibility and recognition in the graphic design area?
I feel that the new means of communication and promotion of work have helped to balance the design landscape a bit. The entry into the job market (at least for those who are self-employed) ends up depending more on ‘given proofs’ in the form of portfolio (social networks, websites, etc.) and therefore, perhaps they are less hostage of biased first impressions. Nowadays I can identify several female designers who are starting to gain more visibility thanks to this. I hope that the large number of women we see in design courses, or even just working, will translate into a near future in which the female voice is even more decisive and recognized.