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For anyone who hires designers, it is usually clear what kind of specialized skills or background a candidate needs. However, there are times in which exceptions are made. For example, the candidate has some other extremely desirable and/or rare capability the company is seeking.

In some cases, the hiring manager believes the candidate's past history of working successfully on a diverse range of projects mitigates the risk of hiring someone who doesn't have the precise background they seek. However, most of us are aware that there are certain areas of design that require a specific background - with no exceptions.

If you're a designer, it's definitely important to know when or if you have to make a commitment to specialize. For those who hire designers, it's a good idea to identify what, if any, hiring flexibility you have with respect to experience and skill requirements.

There are clearly areas of design with no flexibility. They require a singular focus in school and a job placement in that area immediately upon graduation. "In transportation, you either get a job designing cars right after you get out of school or you never have the opportunity," says RitaSue Siegel of RitaSue Siegel Resources, an executive search and consulting firm in New York. "There are usually exceptions to every rule, as you know, but I don't know any exceptions to this rule."

While some areas, like transportation design, are clear cut, others may offer exceptions or flexibility. Because of this, it's a good idea to understand the issues and the factors that can help determine when or if specialization makes sense.

Specialized Firms = Specialized Experience

Many areas of print design and some in the Web arena offer more flexibility in their areas of specialization. For example, a designer could choose to specialize in direct mail, in many cases, with little or no experience in that area for the first 2-3 years of his or her career. However, the more a design firm or department specializes in direct mail—or any area, in fact—the greater the likelihood they will require candidates to have more experience in that area during the earlier years of their career.

How Complex Or Unique Is The Production Process?

In all areas of design, the more complex or unique the production process, the greater the likelihood a designer will need to have in-depth experience in that area. For example, designing a three-dimensional package requires thought and consideration for the special kinds of stock used on packages and the way in which the user/audience is going to interact with the package.

In Web design, a knowledge and understanding of the production process is necessary to meeting deadlines and is the shell in which the creative product has to fit. A great Web designer has the ability to convey, influence and direct the creative process to the end. The designer, in part, becomes the gatekeeper of the creative product.

Interestingly enough, the production process itself can, at times, be more of the "specialization" criteria or focus than the end product itself. In industrial design, for example, an in-depth knowledge of injection molded plastics can emerge as a more critical factor than experience working on a specific kind of product.

How and Where Will the Designed Piece Be Used?

Are you designing outdoor signs for a store in Seattle? Signage inside the "rainforest" section of a national aquarium? Outdoor promotional banners for a museum in hurricane-prone Miami?

Environmental design is a specialization because of the many factors (e.g., heat, wind, moisture) that must be considered in terms of format and materials. If a designer is not knowledgeable about these factors and the best ways to address them, he or she won't be successful in their work.

When you consider how many companies and employees part ways because it wasn't the right fit in terms of personality or temperament, it makes a lot of sense to evaluate candidates on the true priorities for a position. It's best for everyone involved to assign the appropriate weight to specialized experience working on specific products or industries.

Ms. Jackson is the Director of Design Evangelism at Aquent, a global professional service firm delivering Creative and IT solutions (aquent.com). In her role, she works with associations, educational institutions and businesses to co-develop and deliver information, tools, professional resources, and career advancement opportunities to design professionals.

Aquent, The Official Career Partner of AGDA

"I have a question on this very issue on Specializations I have notice a big trend of job description consolidation When looking for graphic design work More employers are looking for some one that can design print and web graphic Is this trend due to the economy? Or should I go with the flow and Get the web training to enhance my graphic design skills? Phoenix Kingston phoenix.kingston@verizon.net"

"Wow! this article was truly valuable in the sense that I am half way through a design course and I'm not sure what I am equipped for as far as starting a new Career. This really opened my mind to the possibilities as well as focusing on what field I would like to specialise in, if any. Thanx for the tips!"