Graduate profile: Phil Kiel--making the most of your degree show

Continuing our series of interviews with leading design students who are graduating this year, Phil Kiel from the Liverpool School of Art & Design discusses the preparation for his degree show, which kicks off today

Phil Kiel has already attracted interest with an appealing Web site and some exceptional design work. By submitting his work to various blogs, creative resources and design communities, he has also helped to raise his profile at a time when thousands of young creatives seek work across the UK.

It's an exciting time for you with your degree coming up in a matter of days, how do you feel?

On 22 May, our degree show exhibition will open which will be the culmination of four years work, deadlines and critique sessions,so to say that I feel slightly excited, nervous and relieved is an understatement. I don't think anyone on the course really knows what is going to happen in the next couple of weeks, not even on the opening night.

What do you hope to achieve from the show?

I hope the show will be a great, successful event. Just like most creatives the biggest thing I can hope for is compliments and recognition of my work. Even if most designers don't admit that they need it, a compliment is always an achievement.

I look at the show in two different ways; It signals the start of my professional career and the end of my time as a full time student. Because of this,I hope that I can achieve two different things from the show; contacts and connections to help me in the next few months and feedback, recognition and criticism about the past three years.

Phil Kiel developed a series of posters to accompany the DidO You See That Thing? lecture series.

Previous Liverpool design shows have been held in London, do you think regional colleges miss out by staying local?

Yes, I agree to a certain extent but because of the Internet, all of the work is viewable anywhere in the world. However, the atmosphere and experience of the private view will be lost by viewing the Internet page only.

I understand that a decade or more ago London was the centre of the creative industry in Britain, but I believe the industry is now spread more equally. Maybe soon we will see universities based in London touring their exhibitions in cities around Britain.

How well has college prepared you for a career in design?

It has prepared me greatly. Last summer I completed three weeks work experience at Liverpool design studio Uniform which was partly set up by the tutors. I have attended many lectures and presentations from previous students who either work in a studio, freelance or work in their own studio, which has helped and encouraged me a lot.

These lectures proved to us that students do graduate and go straight into work, even though we hear a lot about graduates doing jobs unrelated to their degree.

Throughout the three years our tutors have created a series of briefs and we have dedicated semesters to the 'professional' world. These have included briefs set by real world clients, such as MTV and independent record labels.

I don't think that we can be completely prepared for our prospective careers, especially when creatives are constantly learning and developing. Each student needs to learn about the real world in an individual and unique way,either by researching through books, Web sites and blogs ,or leaving it until their first day of work and jumping straight in at the deep end.

Phil Kiel decided to open the newly created Typeface Hall of Fame blog at typefacehalloffame.wordpress.com to highlight his love of typography.

You have been proactive in setting up your own Web site while at college and where possible, promoting your work. Why?

I believe that it is important to get a head start because every career is so competitive. I believe having your work in the degree show and not having an online portfolio can only be negative, especially as online portfolios can be set up very quickly with little web knowledge--for example Indexhibit, Cargo Collective, Krop, Behance. Where else do people go if they want to see more of you work post degree show?

I have submitted my work to a number of Web sites for critique and promotion including Dirty Mouse and QBN. These have really helped because I have found it hard getting feedback from my class mates about Web sites and portfolios. These sites provide feedback from designers in different areas and countries.They have a wide range of staff of all ages and varied experience.