Design Observer
http://designobserver.com/article.php?id=39481
Throughout the article, Heller discusses how students articulate themselves through email. Students predominantly use emails to communicate with him other creatives, however Heller has highlighted some key concerns and solutions that will encourage a constructive discussion.
Subject Line
Subject lines such as 'Dissertation Interview' or 'Research Inquiry' are dull and uninspiring. Try to draw attention to your email without being boring or inappropriate.
Email
Address the designer personally at the start of the email - Don't be rude
Don't mention the fact that your tutor has asked you to interview a professional for a project as this doesn't demonstrate professional independence or a genuine interest.
Make sure the questions are appropriate in order to engage and develop my personal practice.
- My questions should be more specific and refer to a previous project or interview because this will show that I have done my research and have developed a genuine interest. This will also fulfil the designers ego as they will be keen to talk about previous work and hopefully generate a conversation.
Make sure the questions are appropriate in order to engage and develop my personal practice.
Heller also states:
'Email interviews are somewhat lazy ways of obtaining content. They often obviate the necessity for follow-up questions inspired by curiosity (or a need to double-check a quote).'
Personally I don't tend to rely on emails because I often find they're unreliable which is why I'd prefer to speak to a professional on the phone or in person. The static nature of email doesn't create a flowing discussion which I find I rely on a lot in order to stimulate a deeper, more critical discussion which will increase my understanding of the topic.
From reading Heller's article it is clear that professionals are tired of getting generic emails from design students/graduates, therefor I intend to create questions that stimulate the professional. To achieve this I need to make sure the questions are relevant to the designers practice as well as my interests. Choosing questions that the professional hasn't answered before in interviews and talks will stop them from having to repeat themselves which will increase the chance of a reply.
'Email interviews are somewhat lazy ways of obtaining content. They often obviate the necessity for follow-up questions inspired by curiosity (or a need to double-check a quote).'
Personally I don't tend to rely on emails because I often find they're unreliable which is why I'd prefer to speak to a professional on the phone or in person. The static nature of email doesn't create a flowing discussion which I find I rely on a lot in order to stimulate a deeper, more critical discussion which will increase my understanding of the topic.
From reading Heller's article it is clear that professionals are tired of getting generic emails from design students/graduates, therefor I intend to create questions that stimulate the professional. To achieve this I need to make sure the questions are relevant to the designers practice as well as my interests. Choosing questions that the professional hasn't answered before in interviews and talks will stop them from having to repeat themselves which will increase the chance of a reply.
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