This video is the epitome of what I thought graphic design would be. But instead I spent 90% of my time dumbing down my designs for my boss/clients' personal tastes for the last 10 years to a point the creative 10% didn't feel exciting anymore. It reminds me of my beginnings. I don't know how I lost track of what made this job a passion, paying the rent was probably a big part of it, but I'll try and get back to it. Thanks for the reminder and good job, the poster looks sick.
Thanks cedric! It means a lot, and is very relateable. Client work can grind out all of the fun parts of design and creating. Definitely a big reason we started doing projects like this. Hope you can find some fun in your desiging again too!
What I’m about to explain to you causes an average of a 30% dropout rate in design programs when students understand this reality. Students really need to reevaluate what they’re getting into when enrolling in graphic design. I blame instructors for the failed misconception from the very start. I’m as old as dirt in the field. And looking back at my program when I was in school in NYC, our program correctly called it “Communication Design.” The “Graphic Design” annex came about after the 90’s when computers were more commonly available in the field. What you’re describing is personal art. What you went to school for is commercial art. This is where graphic designers deviate from traditional artists. Graphic designers work for industry and corporations. That is the crux of the field. We integrate our visual language _for_ industry. Our business is essentially business. They cannot divorce, otherwise you’re just an artist. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but you have to be more clear and intentional about what you are. Even traditional artists change their methodology once they become more commercially adept. You realize the work is not for you, it’s for someone else. If that’s not you, that’s totally understandable. A student that drops out at the beginning of his program when they realize “this is not for me” is more sagacious than unmotivated. But if you inherently have a passion for this, understanding what you’re doing and for *whom* is a guarantee for higher pay and more success.
