Our readers have requested that Smashing Magazine conduct an interview with industry leaders on issues that are relevant to students and those just starting off in their design career. With the help of our panel of 16 designers, we'll dispense advice that should help new designers get their career off to a promising start. We've asked a few different questions to each of the designers; you'll see all of their responses below.

For students who aspire to work in design, what would you recommend they study? David Leggett suggests: "Finding a good university-level design program that interests you will greatly increase your chance of finding awesome opportunities down the road, but it’s very beneficial to get experience before and outside of the education system. Find projects to help with, start your own, read up and apply as much as you can as you’re learning on the side. The extra experience will never hurt, and at the very least you’ll get to see if design is something you really enjoy."