We're handing the reins to recent graduate Grace Lee, she's interviewing me to find out the answers to the questions every graduate is asking today. How to get hired, how to get noticed, can I even find a job today?

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/eveliomattos/

We get into it all. So if you've just graduated, are having a hard time finding a job, sit down, listen up, and let's get to it.

Evelio Mattos is an established voice in the packaging design industry with an extensive background, having worked with high-profile brands like Lady Gaga, Barney's New York, Tesla, and Google. His expertise spans across various sectors including fashion, tech, and retail, emphasizing sustainability in packaging. Evelio's rich experience and innovative approach make him a significant figure in the packaging world.


Grace Lee is a recent graduate from the prestigious Pratt Institute's Packaging Identities and Systems Design Graduate Program in Brooklyn. With a passion for creative and sustainable design, Grace represents a new wave of designers poised to make impactful contributions to the industry.

Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode of Packaging Unboxed, host Grace Lee delves into the packaging design industry with the knowledgeable and seasoned Evelio Mattos. Grace, representing the fresh cohort of design graduates, brings forth pressing questions about the industry's dynamics, particularly concerning sustainability, innovation, and the integration of new technology such as AI. Evelio's extensive background and hands-on experience provide rich, practical insights that are invaluable for new designers entering the field.

The conversation navigates through key projects and experiences that have shaped Evelio's career, including his initial foray into packaging design and notable collaborations with brands like Lady Gaga and Tesla. Through this episode, listeners gain an understanding of the evolution of packaging design and the critical role it plays in branding and consumer decision-making. Evelio emphasizes the importance of being client-facing and understanding different facets of the industry from procurement to distribution, underscoring the intrinsic relationship between design and business profitability.

Key Takeaways:

Client Interaction is Crucial: Being client-facing and understanding the nuances of finance, procurement, and distribution can significantly enhance a designer’s value.

Importance of AI: Embrace AI as a tool to speed up concept iterations and improve the efficiency of the design workflow.

Build a Strong Social Presence: Utilize LinkedIn and other social media platforms to showcase your work and build a professional network.

Understanding Sustainability: Ensure your design solutions align with a brand's sustainability goals, recognizing that trade-offs are often necessary.

Start Small to Climb Big: Entry-level positions, even those seen as mundane, provide foundational knowledge and opportunities for growth in the design industry.

Notable Quotes:

"Design is sales. And I think a lot of times designers are like, I'm not a salesperson, I'm a graphic designer, I'm a packaging designer, but your idea is not going to get made if you don't sell it."

"You have to get the reps in. You've got to get the reps in for creating these terrible designs. You've got to get the reps in for expanding creative from one size to another size."

"Today, people will decide whether they want to hire you or not based on your social. So even before you apply, what's your social tell, you know, what's that say about you?"

"The idea of, I graduate now, I want to go work at Pentagram or Landor… you can just work for yourself and just grow your own business from day one."

"LinkedIn is the key place. Anything that you have in your portfolio, tying it back to a brand or anybody that you're trying to target, then being able to tag them is what's going to give you the most visibility."