I have so much respect for instructors who care enough to tailor their approach to the need of the student rather than forcing them to learn or do things in a rigidly structured way.
Illustration as the primary skill of a graphic designer is something I have never encountered after being various forms of designer for many years. That said, what I do see is the power of images to convince people of many things that even the most concisely stated words cannot. People rush towards images that seem to suggest something is much further along in a design process than it is.
On the related point of finding a creative path within a job. I’m sure it is possible in a tiny fraction of careers but in my case I had to realize that my personal art and design leaning were not going to overlap much with what I could get paid for.
I hear you. My decision this year is that there's no way to reconcile the two. In order to do something creative at work, then you, your Creative Director, your Account Manager, all your clients, their bosses, their accountant fronting the money and their audience all need to be up for something creative. If just one person in the chain doesn't want it then you're in the world of the commercial.
Also, the creative work I most want to pursue has absolutely no commercial viability, almost no Substack viability, but maybe has a future in prisons, libraries and nursing homes, so I'm starting with the lattermost and posting here as a kind of accountability tool to keep working.
Substack definitely pushes us to make our work align with the platform’s goals. Not perfect, but I feel like it’s the closest to “finding my people” that social media has delivered so far. Stay strong my friend!
My goodness, Ade I so understand you. I was so rebellious I actually kicked myself out twice when I was in Art school. Same in my graphic design career, right from the first year I knew I wouldn’t work my whole life in this business. I did a lot of temporary work and never stayed in a position more than 3 years. My career lasted 15 years.
We are artists , we are free spirits. To me graphic design felt so frustrating !
I have so much respect for instructors who care enough to tailor their approach to the need of the student rather than forcing them to learn or do things in a rigidly structured way.
Illustration as the primary skill of a graphic designer is something I have never encountered after being various forms of designer for many years. That said, what I do see is the power of images to convince people of many things that even the most concisely stated words cannot. People rush towards images that seem to suggest something is much further along in a design process than it is.
On the related point of finding a creative path within a job. I’m sure it is possible in a tiny fraction of careers but in my case I had to realize that my personal art and design leaning were not going to overlap much with what I could get paid for.
I hear you. My decision this year is that there's no way to reconcile the two. In order to do something creative at work, then you, your Creative Director, your Account Manager, all your clients, their bosses, their accountant fronting the money and their audience all need to be up for something creative. If just one person in the chain doesn't want it then you're in the world of the commercial.
Also, the creative work I most want to pursue has absolutely no commercial viability, almost no Substack viability, but maybe has a future in prisons, libraries and nursing homes, so I'm starting with the lattermost and posting here as a kind of accountability tool to keep working.
Substack definitely pushes us to make our work align with the platform’s goals. Not perfect, but I feel like it’s the closest to “finding my people” that social media has delivered so far. Stay strong my friend!
My goodness, Ade I so understand you. I was so rebellious I actually kicked myself out twice when I was in Art school. Same in my graphic design career, right from the first year I knew I wouldn’t work my whole life in this business. I did a lot of temporary work and never stayed in a position more than 3 years. My career lasted 15 years.
We are artists , we are free spirits. To me graphic design felt so frustrating !
Thanks for sharing !
I hit 3 years in both my last jobs. Before that it was 18 months like clockwork. Feels good to know I’m not the only one! 😉
I got kicked out twice 30 years ago and have been doing art on the side of the day job the entire time you’re in good company
Definitely good company. Cheers.🍻
So relatable...
I identify with those feelings -- not the same discipline, but extremely similar experience. Thanks for sharing this, really enjoyed it.