2nd In Command (X)

October 7, 2009 • 7:36 pm • POSTED BY kdorsey

When I first heard that I was selected as a contestant for the first-ever graphic designer reality show at an AIGA conference, I thought my life was going to be different forever. Two years later, it turns out I was right.

Hello all, my name is Kelly Dorsey and I was a contestant in the first ever Command X competition.

Although I didn’t technically ‘win’ the competition (mad props here to my girl Nichelle, check out her brilliant performance if you haven’t already), I feel like in a way I won, too. The theme of the conference two years ago in Denver was “Next—what’s next?” And that was exactly what I was wondering about myself, my own career path and my life.

As I get ready to head out to this week’s Command X, here’s a quick summary of what happened to me two years ago: I was plucked from obscurity by the design powers that be (obscurity here meaning Chardon, OH—our major export is maple syrup), flew to Denver and met a group of amazing fellow young designers, where I proceeded to fumble on stage with my nerves, self-deprecating humor (a Dorsey trademark) and half baked design executions—all in front of a panel of judges who taught me so much in so little time. I ended up in 2nd place, and before I knew it the week was up and I was back on a plane to OH, with a bag stuffed with a gazillion business cards and job prospects, and a head filled with wonder, as well as relief that it was over.

Because I was fresh out of school and eager to start my career, my main goal for letting myself be publicly exposed in this manner was to land a great first job. Looking back, it’s a good thing I jokingly sent in a pdf sample of my work that one day at Kent State. Because of my experience—which was equal parts terrifying and exciting—I was discovered by an agency in Philadelphia, this one actually, 160over90, which is where I’ve been these last two years. This place has become my home, and my coworkers are now like family. Although I sometimes miss the ways of the great Midwest, I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. I’ve come a long way from where I was and can’t help but feel excited for this new crop of designers who will soon experience what Nichelle expressed best to me in an email: “the pressure, the nerves—the diarrhea.”

So, as the Make/Think conference in Memphis is upon us, I’ve taken the liberty to walk down memory lane, reviewed the videos from the competition and tried to remember where my head was at and what I was feeling throughout the first Command X competition. I hope I can bestow some advice upon those lucky individuals from across the country who will find themselves sitting on a stage tomorrow with Michael Bierut and other esteemed designers, as well as 2,000 of their peers watching with eager eyes.

First off, it seems like a really talented crew. And thankfully for them, it seems like they all have been working in the real world for a bit—I wish I hadn’t been so green with my presentation skills and strategies. With that said, there’s nothing that can really prepare you for what that crowd looks like from the stage, so I wish them luck in that respect. Everyone in attendance should be super friendly to these guys and girls—you can’t imagine how ridiculous you feel having your work critiqued in that manner.

My advice for the contestants: follow your gut, solve the problem at hand, but remember, this is supposed to be fun. People attending the conference want to be entertained so take a chance with your executions, and ham it up onstage. I actually have not watched the videos in their entirety from two years ago until today, what a total mind f@#k. I guess that’s my other piece of advice: I’m not sure I realized that what I said would live forever somewhere on the Internet, not to mention my hair. Jeez, what the hell was I thinking?

It’s extremely interesting though as a time capsule of the designer I was then. It’s fun to look back and know that I don’t have to go through it again. But it’s so bizarre that my major coming out to the design world is connected with a logo I created for the Denver Broncos, because I hate football and I think it’s probably the worst thing I’ve ever made.

I can’t wait to be reunited with all the friends I made last time around and am ridiculously excited to see what Command X has in store for us this year.  It’s going to be great to actually attend all of the events this time around, and not worry about presentations and diarrhea. I’ll be there all week and will be blogging and tweeting live from the event, so come follow me. Good luck everyone, I’ll see you in Memphis.