Why Design?
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Why design?
As I continue progressing within my MBA program I find myself thinking that design is nothing but a waste of time. As a designer you will never progress into a certain level of success, you will always be unappreciated. I mean the average individual really doesn’t know the difference between good or bad design.
A designer is only able to impress other designers, simply because know one else gives a damn. I use to get excited about what Adobe or Macromedia was going to do next. I remember the big jump from Flash 4 to Flash 5; I was like a kid at Christmas. I couldn’t wait to explore the wonders of this upgraded program.
All over world, there is a billion designers, all telling themselves that they’re “artist” that they are going to be the next Raul Rand or Milton Glaser, going to land the next huge account from Nike or Microsoft. But in reality they’re not. They’re going to be stuck using their pirated software on a G4 or P4 designing a logo for $200 bucks for the Pizza shop across the street.
So why? Most designers are failed artist that couldn’t draw a straight line and that were cut from their little baseball team, loners that get hyped over the next MacWorld Expo.
The designer is the behind the scenes man that makes the business look good, like a makeup artist makes the actor look good.
In the media, designers are always portrayed as “gay” white males that wear dark rim glasses and tight shirts, with frail little un-athletic bodies with spiked hear, that tell their parents that they freelance for a living. Stereotypes like that make me ashamed to tell anyone that I design.
So why?
- ********0
I can't draw a straight line so I'm a failed artist.
oh no!
- ribit0
You could try to be better than the average designer?
You could try to educate people about the value of good design?
You could just get on with it and stop whining? :)
- unknown0
Design is a business, treat it that way and you"ll do just fine.
The work i do now is boring crap, but it pays good, and allows me to pay my bills on time and that's all i care about at this point.
If you want to be creative, do it on your own time.
- krts0
"An artist creates problems and a designer solves problems."
I like to do both.
- unknown0
Graphic Designers are the dog shit you step into, only then you notice the poop.
- unknown0
I am not complaining about my situation. I make great money and work with good people. If you knew me you'd know this.
I was mainly speaking as an observer to this profession.
To the true sense, I am still a designer, but I enjoy the business end of it more, so I see other "designers" struggle on being "artist."
Read the rant and make of it what you will...
Enjoy
- Bio0
i personally love what i do. and if you dont, then do something else.
i dont give a shit about being famous for design. and the recognition of my peers is more than enough (besides a nice fat paycheck).
so go study accounting or something if you arent happy.
- atomica0
LOL a billion people looking to be the next Paul Rand. Really now? I think you're in headed in the wrong direction in your life. I didn't pick design to be famous or mega bucks successful. Just to be happy doing what I like and have a knack for/studied for, to provide the community I am a part of with my craft and what ever appreciation that comes from that is just swell. I'm sure theres plenty of us who design for those reason, and not for the publicity/success. If it happens that way, then thats cool, if it doesn't life can be just as if not more successful internally.
- atomica0
word bio.
- Bio0
i just feel bad for all those poor bastards out there who wanna be the next Bio.
har har har.
- fate0
Tell me, what other area of computers is even half as glamorous as design? Should I be strictly a developer and have an ASCII-orgy? I think not...
There are many, many more CS-graduate drones out there who work in cubicle farms coding shit for a living. There are wire-pullers who set up the local library's computers. There are the MSCE Tech-Support Monkies.
I'd rather be a designer any day.
- atomica0
excellent addition to the point fate.....
another reason to design.
- fate0
And as for Glamorous, let's examine some famous examples.
The guys from Razorfish used to hang porno on the #99FF00 colored walls, dress in bright-purple suits for conferences, and set precedent for arrogance in business.
2advanced held a party with Bacardi as a sponsor, DJ's, etc just for a site.
Again, I'll be a designer any day and dream of doing this sorta stuff than be stuck in any other dead end computer job
- paulsmith0
Personally I love design both online and offline design.
Online design and most other forms of computer based design is great because it allows you the designer to express your personality on a project whereas with other computer jobs you are merly achieving an objective.
Obviously if your working for a very strict style aware client such as a blue chip company that probably has a style guide then it is more restrictive but still enjoyable to do.
When the end user comes across a computer system that they have to use, the thing they notice the most is the frontend, so if you have done your job correctly that is just as important as the programmer's making the system work.
If a system is pleasing on the eye as well as usable and functioning efficiently, there is nothing more they can ask for.
- renascent0
hmmm tuff one huh, maybe you would uhmm actually like to design?
i can tell ya workin for nike doesnt make you a miljonair either, though it sure beats workin at 7/11...
i do wear prada shoes though, i hope i get bad eye sight so i can purchase some fancy glasses...
*sigh*
- unknown0
beats sweeping the streets.
- paulrand0
well, although I tend to bitch and whine a lot, it's so much better than the succession of shitty jobs I had before discovering this wonderful field
- ribit0
why are some of you comparing design to 'other computer jobs'? What has that got to do with it? You could just as well compare it to architecture, product design, marketing, illustration, fine art, journalism etc.....
- ozhanlion0
it is not about design or being alone and all that shit. it is all about expression. to me of course.
and I am not saying I can express myself superbly, but trying to learn, trying to explore.and of course everyone has some instict for success, but success is nothin. just an illusion.
it is all about how you see it.
- atomica0
success is of your own definition. To some its money others its family some its getting to tomorrow.