my rant by dfd
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- dfd
I don't know how to put this.
Lately I've been feeling as though I need a huge change in my life. I've always had such a great appreciation for the "thinkers" in our field, such as Bruce Mau. I've been impressed design work ever since I found out about "graphic design". However, what really captivated me recently was when he pointed out that "for most of us design is invisible, until it fails." (taken from the massive change project)
It made me think twice about what I do. Having just gotten laid off from a 5 year position at what used to be a great studio, I have had a lot of time to reflect on what design means and how it changed my life. Just like Sagmeister, one day I also would like to "touch someone's heart with design."
I reality this sounds all great doesn't it? But the credit cards, landlords or the banks won't really give 2 shits if you're designing from the heart and helping the community and/or non-profit organizations. So here I am, designing logos, letterheads, reports ... and other projects that only but communicate a bunch of irrelevant information in a "designed" layout for those suits and ties.
This is my rant. I don't bitch very often, so at least give me this one.
(pardon the grammar, i'm french.)
- jevad0
hear hear!
- paraselene0
this is what happens when you become a professional propagandist. you can always make the move to pusing an ideology other than capitalism. it hurts a little, but only a little.
- canuck0
rant on brother!
- gruntt0
bartender - one my friend please.
- mr_snuggles0
Pull up your pants and get over it you hippie!
j/k
I agree with your feelings, feel much the same myself, but all that glitters is not gold, it takes a long time and a lot of hard work to get to the level of people like Sagmeister, I won't even bother including Mau since I've made my feelings about that bloated egotist quite clear in the past.
Chin up dude, we have a purpose and we can make a difference.
- dfd0
one more thing.
I also feel that, like james victor said in hillman's documentary that design IS like a big fucking club with spikes, and a lot of people feel the same way but don't have the money/resource/time to really grab a hold of it and communicate something meaningful in our everyday lives. That's something that really hits me hard.
It's quite sad, that we have so much power and talent in order to visually communicate, but because of the commercial and business part of design sometimes those things just isn't feasible.
I have so much respect for those who have the ability to do so, and still make a decent living. That's the one thing I strive for, to be financially secure and have the time to yield that club.
- dann0
you know i agree totally.
Obviously its a lot of scarfic, hard work, etc just like maybe people have stated before.
It'll happen
....fuck, it better
- mr_snuggles0
educate the client, empower the consumer, change the future...
- k0na_an0k0
dude. i feel your pain. i swear on all that is holy i do. after 7 years i have been reduced to a glorified banner designer and spammer. wtf?!? my 'designs' are nothing more than the brain shit of an out of touch with reality suit who's main goal is to make money. nice. but if i have to spam a persons ass can we at least make it nice looking?!? 'no, make the product pop, forget about all the other stuff'. "you mean the nice design?" 'yes'. fuck. as soon as i finish the redesign of my site i'm out of here. i'm not growing at all as a designer or person for that matter. hang in there buddy cause there is always something better. you just gotta find it.
- JazX0
yo, you are fine. no need to be depressed, you're alive and kicking and will look back at these days with laughter. travel outsides of your area if it's a must. think self-preservation.
- k0na_an0k0
yo JazX, how are ya ya bastard?!?
long time no speak. you been busy?!?
- canuck0
We should have an NT resignation day. I am getting fed up where I am. Need to find a replacement job however.
I produce alot of e-ads, and I am given but a few hours to make them. Pisses me off cause it's just not enough time to make it a solid design. The bossses don't care. They just want it yesterday with the drop shadows and beveled edges, then they are content.
- mr_snuggles0
maybe us canucks should all apply to work for mr.remote then we can just drink and wrestle each other all day. I know I'd be more fulfilled.
- JazX0
Hi k0na, yeah man we have been dodging each other in these threads. Fine bro. Howz the weightlifting comps?
- MrRemote0
Snug, what kind of shop do you thinkI'm running here?
Up for drinks afterwork today?
- ricstultz0
pick up a pen and scribble... it helps.
- k0na_an0k0
JazX. I did well. Now just training for the next one late next year.
Thanks for asking.
- Point50
I think everyone goes through this phase. The design world is nothing like I thought it would be when I was a Sr. in college working on my BFA. I remember when the guy from Modern Dog (Mike?) came to our college and spoke about design and clients and all that stuff. I just couldn't wait to be a designer; work out of an old house, bring my dog to work, play music in the basement in the dumb studio because we'd have so much time and money left over... Here I am on year #6 of this design rollercoaster ride. I've worked at 4 different places and even freelanced for a year and I can say that I'm not happy with where I am and what I do. I remember my first job when I got my first set of business cards and my title on them said "Jr. Designer" and I asked my boss if they could remove the "Jr." from my cards and he said "You've gotta pay your dues first"... well fuck him wherever he may be now because that studio tanked in 2 years time and I've paid my dues now. So where's my reward?! I'll tell you where... it's in my head and my heart. I can sit here all day and be pissed, but unless I make that move and channell this frustration into a focused effort to make things better for myself and potential clients and the average consumer I will never be happy with what I have done and where I have gone. You can't acheive your personal goals while under the command of others; because you will be too busy acheiving their personal goals for them. The whole thing takes time. The overnight sensation studios with 27 year old principal and 4 addys on the wall is few and far in between. IF you really love this shit, keep your nose to the grindstone and remember to do for you. So what if you have to stay up until 3 every morning to make it happen... I mentioned before that I'm not sure if I'm too keen on the general pool of design anymore: print, web, Flash, adv., logos... I really think I'm going to get back into illustration. But I have to make that happen, it won't just come to me. Thanks for ranting and getting me motivated!
- ricstultz0
nice point5... half the reason I dropped design and focused on illustration/picture making.
I gotta believe if you do something long enough, good things will come from it... and if not, well at least you tried... and thats all good.
- motokiss0
DFD take this time to enjoy, you have free time to build you asa person now which is cool. plus tis the season to enjoy with family and celebrations comin up. It's the end of the year everyting is dead in design right now. Take the new year as a clean start with aclean face. clear the mind and enjoy for today cause tomorrow might not be here. No sense of beatin your self to death over BS people who want BS design work, fuck them next year is your year so enjoy the extra free time you have right now.
chin up soldier