A novel approach to getting a job

It was after seeing Trafalgar Square on the news this evening that I was reminded about the graduate who pleaded for a job from the top of a plinth in the heart of London. Back in September of this year, Alex Kearns took desperate measures to attempt to get himself a job - as he, like so many graduates, was finding it very difficult given the current economic climate. Alex graduated from Swansea University with a 2:2 in French and Italian this summer, but had so far been unlucky in finding a proper job. After his session on top of the plinth - which included revealing a huge CV and holding a sign reading "Give me a job!" - he did manage to secure to job in fact! His new boss apparently felt he had some "get-up-and-go" - which is certainly true!

Nowadays the competition for jobs seems to be hotter than ever and so drastic measures sometimes seem like a good option! Everyone always says that the only way to get the job is to stand out from the crowd and be noticed.....which is certainly advice that Alex Kearns took on board! I think this was a very clever use of his time on the plinth; as he knew it would be a very public event and a brilliant opportunity to get his name out there and his voice heard. The slightly 'comical' aspect of his stunt, and it's unique nature, brought about lots of press coverage. Okay, so not everyone who's looking for a job should aim to be on the news with some wacky idea to get themselves noticed - but this is just an exaggerated example of ways in which graduates (in particular) are beginning to distinguish themselves from the competition. Personally, I think this raises the bar and should help to promote more original ideas and creative ways of thinking - simply handing in your CV and smiling nicely in an interview most probably won't be enough anymore....

Design for Life

As mentioned in one of my earlier blog posts about the "Ukraine's Got Talent" winner, and how we're finally being exposed to rarer talents which don't only involve the typical singing and dancing - I feel that BBC2's "Design for Life" programme explores a talent that the general public are not often enough told about. Perhaps this is because I am a 'design-person' myself and so would like to see more shows like this; but it still makes excellent viewing even for the 'not so design-oriented' viewers! "Design for Life" has been compared to the BBC1 show, "The Apprentice"....Philippe Starck vs. Sir Alan?! The two characters certainly share some similarities, and these make good, entertaining viewing for the public; with both of them being experts in their fields, their blunt comments to contestants keep the audience curious to see if anyone dares argue back!

"Design for Life" is based around the French product designer, Philippe Starck, selecting a group of young designers with potential to go far in the field. Over the duration of the programme, he - and his team of co-designers - pick-off the weaker contestants and send them home, until only 2 remain in the grand finale. The prize is a 6 month placement at Starck's company in Paris, and it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity - hence why the competition becomes so fierce during the show!

It wasn't the winning final design of the most recent series, however, that really caught my attention, but the product designed by Michael Cloke, the runner-up. He designed a lap-tray for the blind; where they could lace their dinner plate, a glass, and cutlery on a cleverly balanced tray. It uses magnets to hold the items in place securely when not in use, and the design includes braille to help the user even further. I felt that it was a very sophisticated design, and not overly-complex; meeting the brief - to design something to help people - very accurately.