Office Life
Nine reference cards on what it actually takes to succeed in a professional design office — not just technically, but as a colleague, a learner, and a person building a career. This section is written for co-op students and interns, but most of it applies equally well to any early-career position in the design professions.
How to use these cards: Read Card 01 before you start. Read Cards 02–05 in your first week. Return to Cards 06–07 when you get your first performance review — or when something goes wrong. Cards 08–09 are for when you're getting ready to move and when you're figuring out what comes next.
02Daily Practice
02Open →
03Open →
04Open →
05Open →
Self-Management I — Doing the Work Right
Write it down. Read it back. Leave no room for doubt.
Self-Management II — Managing Yourself
Always be doing something. Know what that something should be.
Firm Culture and Professional Norms
Every office is different. Read the room before you set the tone.
Interpersonal Navigation
You don't have to like everyone. You do have to work with them.
03Professional Growth