The waiting game

Marie Alberto, BA (Hons) Design for Art Direction

The waiting game.

It could be a day, a week, or several months before receiving any replies from people or studios you have contacted... and sometimes, unfortunately never.

But you just 'gotta' wait... patiently. Patiently... which means in reality, checking mails every seconds and hours.

During that period of wait, I have depicted mail situations in three parts:

The first one

In the morning, at lunch, tea time, dinner time and before bed. You know this moment when you check your mails and you hear a *ting* followed by a small vibration from your phone? Then, your heart goes faster and faster? And then, you start thinking about all the possibilities of studios who might have replied you. And then, you don't really want to look because you are a bit scared and excited. And then, you realise that what you have actually received is... An ad from easyJet.

The second one

In the morning, at lunch and tea time. 3 messaged received. Name of the studio 'Re: Application...' : Unfortunately, we're not currently looking for any interns. I would suggest to be grateful to have received this kind of mail, as they  would normally just ignore your e-mail.

In the morning, at lunch and tea time. 1 messaged received. Name of the studio 'Re: Application...' : Could you come in tomorrow? Wait... Tomorrow???? Is my portfolio ready? Review it and add up missing things today. Do I know much about the company? Research before bed time. Should I ask to re-schedule the meeting? NO, you might miss an opportunity.

The third one

In the morning and tea time. 2 messaged received. 'Dear (insert name)...' : At the moment I don't  have anything that you could help us with... We currently don't have much projects at the moment...

In the morning and tea time. 1 messaged received. 'Dear (insert name)...' : I'd be grateful if you confirm that...
Finally, a creative fell in love with your projects and wants to take you on board!

All in all, waiting is part of the DPS process. You learn to wait. You learn to strive. You learn to be determined. You learn to improvise. You learn to be grateful. You learn to bounce back. You learn to persist and move forward.

A little note: Follow-up whatever e-mails you have sent and received. Follow-up for whatever reason. Follow-up. Follow-up. Follow-up. Chances are they might have put you on read and flagged you or just... you know the rest.