My Biggest Lesson: Dean van der Merwe
Dean van der Merwe is a highly experienced creative having work for Bullet and Metropolis Agency as a senior designer, Juicy Design as senior graphic designer and most recently appointed, design director at Enigma.
Dean was born in South Africa, grew up in New Zealand and is currently living in Sydney. His diverse background provides a unique take on the creative industry. A 2014 graduate from Bully Blue College of Design, he has worked his way through the ranks and is now providing LBB with the biggest lesson he's learnt along the way.
LBB> Is there one event / piece of wisdom from your career that's always stayed with you? What is it?
Dean> “Don’t be precious about your work” I first heard this in the early days of my working life – somewhere between working part time and studying full time - but it’s a phrase that’s always stayed with me.
LBB> Set the scene! How old were you when you learned this insight, where were you working, how long had you been there, what year was it, what was your role and how were you feeling generally about your career at this point?
Dean>Bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and very much in need of caffeine, I first encountered this pearl of wisdom in a hard-to-swallow round of feedback during the 8am lecture at Billy Blue College of Design in Sydney. I don’t think it set in at first (mostly because of the lack of caffeine), but the message still rung clear and has always remained intact.
I was probably around my early 20s. And of course thought I knew everything there was about answering a brief, but lo and behold, my Lecturer Jodi, knew exactly the abrupt and pointed feedback I needed to hear for me to progress and become a better Designer.
LBB> Tell us about the chain of events that led to you learning this insight… be as specific as you can!
Dean> I will never forget the moment when I presented in front of the class, 10 minutes later, standing on the ledge waiting eagerly for feedback when I was left scathed and bruised with a battered ego, but alas – it was met with; “Don’t be precious about your work!”
Of course, this was delivered in the typical Jodi manner, loud, harsh and unfiltered, but has stuck with me to this day.
LBB> And if you got some words on wisdom from a particular person or there’s a key, influential person in this story – tell us about them! What was your relationship to them, what were they like, how did you feel about them (admiration, awe, respect… disrespect)
Dean> I can’t thank Jodi enough for that experience – it’s left me with a much thicker skin, and with an attitude of ‘seek feedback, not criticism’. It’s helped me become stronger and more confident as a Designer, and to not be so hung up on striving for perfection, but instead allow room for error in my work.
LBB> Why do you think it struck such a chord?
Dean> I think when you’re a young and emerging Designer, it’s hard not to get upset when people dislike your work, or when it doesn’t resonate with them. As Designers, producing something you’ve crafted is kind of like wearing your heart on your sleeve – so you tend to take feedback very personally.
Jodi’s feedback (albeit unwanted at the time) helped me take it as a sign for improvement – nothing you produce will ever be perfect on the first go. You have to keep chipping away until it’s exactly what the brief asks for. Ultimately that big smile from the Client makes it all worth it in the end.
LBB> How did it change you as a person and in your career?
Dean> I can tell it’s made me far more ‘chilled’. I rarely kick up a stink when someone provides challenging feedback or asks for changes – to me it’s just part of the job. Yes, having to make lots of changes does wear thin sometimes, but I now live with the mantra “always seek feedback” – you’ll be surprised how much the design will improve with more time and further consideration.
I often hear comments from clients or colleagues who appreciate how easy it is to work with me, it’s probably because I’m pretty chilled, I accept feedback good and bad – with grace, and I don’t take offence if they want to move in a different direction.
Afterall, it’s feedback not criticism, and it’s never personal.
LBB>And as you’ve progressed in your career, how have you re-evaluated this piece of advice?
Dean> I start every project knowing there will be changes and my work will change – it’s rare for me to step into a brief knowing the work will be simple, quick and out the door without any changes.
I try to keep in mind every time there is an internal review or client presentation, that it’s a work in progress and up for discussion. In the end, until the client is entirely happy and we have sign off – it's an ever-evolving process.
LBB> Is this insight or piece of advice something you now share with other – if so, how do they respond to it?
Dean> I definitely like to share knowledge as much as I want to gain more– I like to pass on this insight to younger Designers (in a much more palatable manner than my Uni experience), in the hope that it will make their learning experience much easier. So far, it’s been received well, and I hope it helps the next generation of Designers, progress their careers..
