Abbas Deidehan: An Art Director and Designer from Texas that is now working with bigger companies and agencies in large cities such as Los Angeles and New York. I’d probably have more to say if the skype call was successful.

Camille Dollins: Designer and Artist living in Austin currently, also identifies as an entrepreneur. Luckily she had plenty to show us in what she had designed, and what designs had brought attention to her to lead to jobs.

Who did you most relate to? and why?
I probably related to Camille the most because of how seriously she took her end project for Visual Studies. She poured her heart into it and even went extra miles just to learn how to make the other things in the box. That sounds like something I would do: completely go above and beyond what is expected to produce a product that is extremely professional quality, despite not being an expert in all aspects it took to create it.

Who surprised you? and why?
Abbas surprised me because of how often he left home to go work in the big cities. Big cities is where competition is high especially for graphic designers, but he forced himself in and based on his website, has been doing very well. I’m a little too scared to put myself into such large cities; a new city, sure, but New York and/or Los Angeles? I’m okay.

What was the most valuable piece of advice you heard today? 
Probably what Camille said about trying to be hired by a company or agency that isn’t at your feet. If they’re asking for you directly, then they’re probably desperate. Be careful who you work for. It made me think about how often people in this profession are taken advantage of and not given the proper credit.