Style vs. Ability
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- luckyorphan
I've been an AD and CD for some time, moving in and out of different careers and genres. Regardless of the industry or gig, I'm often presented with a question when the gig is ending:
Is it better to come close to mastering a few styles, or be as much of a generalist as possible?
On one hand, style gurus can rely on being needed for their style. On the other, if that style isn't needed, and they can't draw or conceptualize, many unemployed months can be expected.
Thoughts? Who out there does it right? Does anyone cross over from one side to the other?
- tparsons0
Never the stylist always the artist/designer.
- airey0
“All generalizations are false, including this one.”
Mark Twaini think it depends on the person. the concept of specialisation is usually the best method for advancement in anything but there's always windows and opportunity for the jack-of-all-trades. the main issue for the utility person is that you can be a jack-of-all-trades master of none.
- VectorMasked0
In my opinion it is a little close to something like this...
Master of a particular style: Too limiting, instability in regards of income/future jobs/employment.
Solid all-round professional: Useful, more demand.
I myself would prefer being a solid designer with skills that can be used for various styles/projects. Sounds more interesting, challenging, uplifting and steady.
- tparsons0
// dats da blingy way yo all bout da fame
- blingy0
I just being honest, think of any famous designer or artist, are they specialized in one style or generalist?
- airey0
the question is what do you define as specialist or generalised? do you include all print design as one of the other? if someone is a brand expert, including brand across print, web and tv is that general or specialised?
you could argue that people like carson are specialised as they apply their 'style' to every client and realistically his abilities are rooted strongly in print. i'd personally call him quite specialised.
- ok_not_ok0
You need to follow the 10,000 hour rule to be successful and famous.
- luckyorphan0
Perhaps I should clarify. I'm not looking for fame. I'm looking to achieve and maintain a high level of quality. Sure, one could be a one-to-two note designer/director and be known for that gimmick/skill (Sheppard Fairey). On the other hand, there's something to be said about being an overall master of design (Milton Glaser). The 10k rule is a good one. But even so, many 10k rule achievers still follow one approach.
Just scratchin' my head late on a Sunday night...wonderin'.
- Amby0
Technicality would be appreciated by the fellow intellectuals holding the knowledge in similar/ higher terms
The mass, apparently would understand n appreciate the final outcome irrespective of the time n effort put behind it- so easy goers who have good presentation skills.. should not be a problem for 'emAmby
- Amicus0
A stylist is akin to a hammer who sees every problem as a nail. A generalist as the whole toolbox to choose from and the art then, is to choose the right tool and use it to the best of your ability.
- monNom0
generalist if you want to make a career of it.
Be the person who gets the project done. If you need a specific style, you source it out. Know a little bit about a lot of stuff, so you can put the pieces together. Develop your business acumen.
A specific style is good for /maybe/ a 3 year run. After that, you better have a backup plan. Especially if your style makes it big and half the internet starts biting on it.
You probably won't get 'famous' without a signature style, but 'used to be famous' doesn't pay the bills.
- ukit0
I think the question can't be easily answered because it depends on what sort of career you are pursuing. If your goal is the traditional one of working in an agency or in the design department of a company, then generalist obviously will be the logical choice. No one wants to see you try to design every client project in your own personal style.
On the other hand, if you are marketing yourself more as an artist or illustrator then you won't get far without cultivating a specific style. To go further in that direction, in fine art the trend seems to be more and more towards specialization and branding of the individual artist's style. But for most normal people in the design field, being more of a generalist makes more sense.
- TomBac0
I'm generalist. And I tend to stay one.
We all have to look at this from other perspective. From perspective of a client. If you are styler then you depend on emotional approval of viewer. So if he find your design good looking, then you get the job.
Ability on other hand is greater power. You can define certain style by researching it and then execute one, because you know how.
You have no emotional bondage to your work and you are more flexible to stupid client requests.My point of view.
- utopian0
"Styles change – style does not"
- whoaPeter
- yeah baby!clearThoughts
- *picks up pieces of brain from floor*ukit
- neue75_bold0
It really depends, I mean, I'd always prided myself in being able to pull off whatever style/approach a client was looking for and my portfolio reflected that. In Canada that seemed to be a good thing, but then when I started interviewing in the netherlands and the uk studios began saying "yeah this is great, but what's really 'you' in your portfolio" naturally I'd reply with "all of it" not really knowing where they were coming from..
To generalize, I'd say that european studios are looking for someone that has a clear "approach" which doesn't always translate to a specific style, but does refer to a consistent methodology and sometimes does crystalize into a "style" but I would be hesitant to pigeon-hole things with that term...
- very nicely explanation.
Neue, do you think that beside your usual work you would need to have some "artish" work? Or?TomBac - not sure about 'artish' but personally my folio is about half non-client based works these days...neue75_bold
- Roger roger.TomBac
- very nicely explanation.
- luckyorphan0
All good thoughts. Fortunately, I've settled into the LA design scene alright, apparently developing a niche for myself. So, developing a career doesn't seem to be an issue at the moment. That being said, it always tilted my head when an interviewer or prospective client would look at my work and say something like "I love your work. You're quite versatile. But, I'm just not sure I understand what your look is." I've heard that so much that I just walk away as if I've been handed a Rubik's cube with all white blocks with the goal of solving it.
I have several friends who have made a successful go of it mastering a style, but I wonder how they'll do in five or ten years when it's time to move on from the chalet font. But maybe there will always be a place for that look, and thus, they'll have work.
Who knows.
- utopian0
Jack of all trades... Master of none...
- doesnotexist0
who the fuck cares?
apples & oranges.
- I didn't type that, someone hacked my account..neue75_bold
- < LOLutopian
- hehe. blend it! make a smoothie.akrokdesign