Ep. 11 What Design School Doesn’t Teach About the Real World

Jason Frostholm is a graphic designer, educator, and former podcast host based in Mobile, Alabama. He did his undergrad at the University of South Alabama, went back for his master's during the pandemic, and spent several years teaching design full-time at a local Jesuit institution. His thesis focused on integrating business principles into design education — and it shows in how he structures his courses. He's worked in-house at an engineering firm, run a referral-based freelance practice, and attended Creative South (where he and Joe first crossed paths). He's still designing, still teaching, and still thinking hard about how to set the next generation of creatives up for the real thing.Guest Info & LinksWebsite: jasonfrostholm.comStudio: ildisdesign.comSocial: @jfrostholmChapter Timestamps00:00 Cold open — production work & the reality of design jobs00:15 Welcome to Mark It 2 Me + intro of Jason Frostholm01:13 What made Jason want to teach03:45 Teaching to each student differently06:22S ketching — paper vs. digital, and why it still matters10:44 Students as clients — why that framing is wrong13:27 Writing creative briefs (and making students write them)16:4 8What design schools are missing: the business side21:43 What new designers don't understand about the job23:59Being proactive, following up, and not waiting for work to appear29:27 Tools don't make the designer — the Canva debate33:50 Presenting work: why students hate it and how to fix it36:44 Production work, in-house reality, and entry-level truth39:27 Advice for landing your first design job42:27 Conferences, workshops, and always be learning43:57Rapid fire QuestionsNotable Quotes"Most design jobs out there are either production or in-house. Landing a huge client and becoming the next Draplin is few and far between."— Jason Frostholm"My job is to facilitate an environment where they can discover [their process] for themselves. There's no right or wrong process."— Jason FrostholmFind Jason at @jfrostholm on social and jasonfrostholm.com. His studio is at ildisdesign.com.Mark It 2 Me is hosted by Joe Baron of Branded Baron.BrandedBaron.comFollow the show, leave a review, and if this episode hit — share it with someone who's still in school or just starting out.