Deaf graphic designers

[NorthSideSunrise]

Anybody here know any deaf graphic designers?

well, i am one. lost my hearing when i was 2 years old to meningitis. Dont know sign language, but am learning at the moment. My speech is good for a deaf person, but i cant hear on the phone.

my concern....
I am worried about trying to communicate with other ppl in the design world. people like clients for example. however, i am a lip reader and if someone turns their face away from me, i wont be able to understand what they are saying. Another worry, phones. Phone seems to be the main communication device in the design world, which u talk to clients, ur boss, other designers, etc.

I am trying to figure out how to adjust to this based on my disability. Like, instead of phones, clients or anybody should e-mail me or send me a text message or talk to me on instant messager on my sidekick. Im also worried about getting fired over a simple mistake on a project which i misunderstood(miscommunitation) for.

Anyway, do you guys kno any deaf graphic designer? if so, how do they manage the work environment based on thier disability? how did they find a job? how do they communicate? etc

[cjoe]

i'm guessing email would be an effective solution. I know there is at least one other person on here, other than myself (half deaf in one ear) who has hearing loss. Obviously thats not comparable to your situation, but i think just letting people know by way of communication that you've found most effective in the past. If you have an office full of understanding people then you should be okay, carry a notepad, just don't get caught with a rush job, where people are probably shouting instructions etc.

[morea]

neuro is legally deaf, I think. Lemme go get him for you.

[Neuro]

North,

Yes, I am deaf in both ears from birth. It wasn't discovered until I was 5 due to the lack of testing like there is now. I wear a single hearing aid on my right side. My left side is so bad that all a hearing aid does is amplify the mumbling. So I do not have the second one any longer. I did while in school. Not sure if it helped then but as an adult I have learned that it is not fessible. My speech is very good and I thank my Dad's long hours of working with me for that. Now my spelling on the other hand... LOL!

As I am sure you have learned to adjust in your life and it is no different in this situation. I too do not deal well on the phone and do a lot of lip reading myself. So I prefer email and face to face time.

I think the thing that you need to do is NOT be afraid to make it VERY clear to your clients that you have a hearing loss. Don't be afraid to let them know. If they are serious about tapping into your talent then they will work WITH you. After all I like to believe that design is about working together with the client. Both parties need to be willing to WORK WITH EACH OTHER. Yes, there are ppl out there that can not handle that type of situation but I have to be honest with you...would you really want to work with someone who can't deal with that? I sure wouldn't. With all clients I have delt with so far they have been extremely understanding. They are willing to repeat information as I need them to and are willing to write information down as I may need it. I think it is important again not to be afraid to ask. It's YOUR right. Your hearing loss is just something that is part of who you are. It's part of you as a designer. Don't let that be a deterrant in any way. In today's world there is NO excuse for someone to turn away from you as a talented designer just because you have a hearing loss. It would be immoral.

I think that being up front with a client is going to be your best approach. That way you can explain that email or text is your best form of communication. If they understand that from the begining and there are no "surprises" then they are less likely have trouble with it. You may have to explain it more than once and patience is going to be a virtue. I know I have had to do that with some but once they get it, it's such a great relationship.

Another thought would be for you to work closely with a designer who could help you through meetings. If you need to go to a meeting they could come along to help with the communication between you and the client. My girlfriend (morea) has done a great job of that. She is the one that takes all the notes and catches a lot that I don't. I tend to just gather what I can at the moment and then go back over her notes later on. The thing to remember is ppl with perfect hearing still don't communicate very well. I have found that a lot of the details I miss are not because of my hearing but rather from the fact that the client has trouble putting into words what they want.

So I guess my advice is this... be up front about your hearing loss. Don't be afraid to make them write it down or repeat something. Explain how it works for YOU and have them work WITH you to allow better communication.

I hope some of this helped!

[cjoe]

nice one neuro.

[LuLu]

I have a bilateral hearing loss and read lips. I can usually hear over the phone okay as long a there is not a lot of background noise. It seems like communication via email, txting, etc would be fine as long as you make it clear to clients. However, it can be hard in person when someone turns away from you or covers their mouth. Personally, it is something I struggle with daily when talking to clients, coworkers and even friends. The best way to get around it is to just tell people. Most are understanding and if they are not...screw them!

As long as you are passionate about design you can work through your struggles. It may not always be as easy, but if something is easy then you are not growing.

[Neuro]

Thanks Cjoe...this is definitely one topic where I feel uber comfortable talking. I have often wondered how many others with a hearing impairment were out there doing this type of work. I think North opened a great door. I look forward to talking more on this subject.

[EC]

I'm self employed, I mostly use email to communicate with clients, subcontractors and vendors. I have done countless projects with countless clients and colleagues and have never spoken to them even on the phone. There are always some people that prefer to talk via phone or face to face, but it's becoming the exception rather than a rule for me anymore.

It was my goal to have a location-independent business. I seek out clients that are comfortable with technology, who don't need to communicate any other way other than email, and they're out there. I have a designer pal that refuses to work with clients who require phone calls. Email only for her. It's possible, I've seen it done.

It's different when you're working for somebody else, but maybe you could set a goal of working for yourself one day where you don't have to worry too much about the rules that somebody else sets for you. Or work for somebody like me, remotely, where you're only exected to do good work, know how to send a email, and have your stuff done on time. (I have no job openings, but you get my point :)

[EC]

I have found that a lot of the details I miss are not because of my hearing but rather from the fact that the client has trouble putting into words what they want.


This is very true. I find that I almost NEED to have things in writing because I'll miss or forget things. I can't tell you how many times digging up an old email to clarify a misunderstanding on their part has saved my butt.

Even when I go to a face-to-face and take notes, I can't read my handwriting, are you kidding me? LOL

[cjoe]

There is a good side to having everything in writing; contracts in writing become a necessity.

[urstwile]

Neuro, great response post to the original post. Thank you for being so open about some of the obstacles you face, and congratulations for having such a great notetaker at your side.

North, it's got to be a challenge to deal with what you're dealing with at first, but I think you'll be surprised to find that most people (at least the ones who think their a**holes should be confined to the part of their bodies that are sitting in their chairs) will be willing to work with you provided you are up front with them about what your needs are.

I suspect that your communication abilities are probably far more advanced than those of us who take our hearing for granted, because you probably pay more attention.

I hope I haven't made any assumptions here. Best of luck to you!

[Samakimoto Graphics]

From a clients' point of view:

About 7 years ago I worked with a deaf and mute group of Knittwear experts in Kenya, East Africa, to make knit-wear I had designed. I was nervous at first:o , but the head designer prempted me and quickly let me know that she could read lips.

It was also a plus that I had good illustration skills as most communication on any change of design or particular details was done this way. After just two weeks I was at ease and I would talk to her and the other knitters as if they could hear me.

my concern....
I am worried about trying to communicate with other ppl in the design world. people like clients for example. however, i am a lip reader and if someone turns their face away from me, i wont be able to understand what they are saying. Another worry, phones. Phone seems to be the main communication device in the design world, which u talk to clients, ur boss, other designers, etc.

Yes, I had to remember to always look directly her... in retrospect, I appreciate her effort to make me comfortable.:)

[HUNT]

Most everything we do is visually communicated and managed through e-mailes. You would most likely work well in an environment with Account Executives where they can understand you and pitch your ideas to the client for you.

[jlknauff]

I enjoy selective hearing.

[NorthSideSunrise]

Wow, thanks for the good and helpful replies! Hearing the good news definately increased my exitement to work as a graphic designer.

To be honest, the first two years of college, studying as a graphic designer has made me feel unsure if i wanted to pursue it as a career bc of communication issues with the hearing people. Now that I know how some things work between a deaf person and a hearing person, it made me feel better.

For me to express my creative and talent depends on the work environment. Other designers and clients will have to be willing to communicate with me the way I want. As a student, my professors were willing to do that for me. Like during a critique, they made sure all the students who were talking about my work to face me so I can read thier lips to understand what they are saying about my work. My professors allow me to talk to them after class if i do not understand an assignment or need help on.

Another one of my goal (maybe... just thought of it today) is to be fluent in sign language and teach graphic design at a deaf college after a decade or more experience in the design world. It seems to me that it is rare to find a graphic designer who knows sign language and is willing to teach deaf students. I could teach them how to adjust to the design world based on thier disability and what not. I'm sure you get the idea. But we'll see about that.

I gotta go now, I'll be back later to discuss some more things that has been on my mind.

Thanks again :)

[urstwile]

Another one of my goal (maybe... just thought of it today) is to be fluent in sign language and teach graphic design at a deaf college after a decade or more experience in the design world. It seems to me that it is rare to find a graphic designer who knows sign language and is willing to teach deaf students. I could teach them how to adjust to the design world based on thier disability and what not. I'm sure you get the idea. But we'll see about that.

I gotta go now, I'll be back later to discuss some more things that has been on my mind.

Thanks again :)

You're welcome, and your goal to teach sometime down the road is extremely admirable. Good luck in all of your endeavors, and please come back and visit the forum often.

[vtwin_gary]

wow. i had know idea that we had anyone on board that was hearing impared. i have recently made a friend that is deaf (since birth) & i'm currently learning ASL see my post in the time killer (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16964) thread
my hats off to both of you.

[HUNT]

You know you just might have an edge that makes you great.




Wow, thanks for the good and helpful replies! Hearing the good news definately increased my exitement to work as a graphic designer.

To be honest, the first two years of college, studying as a graphic designer has made me feel unsure if i wanted to pursue it as a career bc of communication issues with the hearing people. Now that I know how some things work between a deaf person and a hearing person, it made me feel better.

For me to express my creative and talent depends on the work environment. Other designers and clients will have to be willing to communicate with me the way I want. As a student, my professors were willing to do that for me. Like during a critique, they made sure all the students who were talking about my work to face me so I can read thier lips to understand what they are saying about my work. My professors allow me to talk to them after class if i do not understand an assignment or need help on.

Another one of my goal (maybe... just thought of it today) is to be fluent in sign language and teach graphic design at a deaf college after a decade or more experience in the design world. It seems to me that it is rare to find a graphic designer who knows sign language and is willing to teach deaf students. I could teach them how to adjust to the design world based on thier disability and what not. I'm sure you get the idea. But we'll see about that.

I gotta go now, I'll be back later to discuss some more things that has been on my mind.

Thanks again :)

[Neuro]

Yes, I had to remember to always look directly her... in retrospect, I appreciate her effort to make me comfortable.:)

I think that sums it up. There will be a big appreciation if you are up front with the client. Nice to be told about an experience from the other side of the table. Thanks for sharing.

VT - Yeah, we kind of blend in, in the text only environment. :D

I think North did a great job of bringing to light an area that people don't think about much and this can spark some very interesting conversations.

North - have you thought about working in the hearing impaired market? It is something that I have thought about. You figure they need visual design to be that much more effective because of who they target. Just something you might want to think about. I also think it's great you are thinking of teaching. It could really open up the doors for hearing impaired students who are thinking of approaching a GD field. Definitely a great way to make a difference.

I personally think that as I get older I become more and more comfortable with sharing stories with other people. You tend to get out of the "popular" versus "unpopular" thing once you grow up. Obviously office politics is still there but it's different. With confidence building I am starting to think about how I can help other hearing impaired individuals realize that in today's advanced technoligical world...nothing is holding them back!

So if you guys have any questions at all...feel free to ask. Anything! Even if you think it's uncomfortable or dumb. If you ask...it's important to you and therefor I'll answer best I can.

When I get a little more time...I'll tell you some stories about how I used it to really put some ppl in their place. The world is full of arrogant ppl and the opportunity to make one of them realize how much of a dirt bag they are...kind of feels nice to turn the tables on them. So stay tuned. LOL! ;)

[uncle carbunkle]

"the proof is in the pudding"

just do what you do well. it's illegal in most countries to discriminate, and this applies to design just the same as it would any other profession. i'm surprised that your educational institute doesn't offer you any sort of learning assistance - they sure do here in canada.

i mean, it's not as though hearing loss means that you can't kern worth a damn...

...does it? :)

[urstwile]

By the way, a long time ago, I read a wonderfuul book by Oliver Sacks called Seeing Voices. It's a must read for hearing and non-hearing people alike, talks about many of the communications issues deaf people face in their day to day. http://www.oliversacks.com/voices.htm

[Neuro]

OH cool!! I'll have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.

[urstwile]

Oliver Sacks is da bomb. He also wrote Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat. Just fascinating stuff on the workings of the brain and other neurologically related stuff. He loves his work, he loves his patients, and he's a really good writer as well.

[NorthSideSunrise]

wow..sure has been a busy week of work and summer school for me.

I have a few questions..

How did you get through finding a job? how long did it took you? What was the interview like?



also...good read on the link...will def. check out his other stuff.

[NorthSideSunrise]

bump! :)