True Confessions of a _____.
I have something to confess before this forum gets any bigger than it already is, I'm not a designer, at least I don't feel like one. I didn't go to design or art school—which would be a lot of fun to go back and do as long as I don't have to take tests, and I get to chose only classes I want to take. I can't draw or paint to save my life, though I've done some design work. I've read and am reading books and magazines on design constantly, but most of you know more about design than I do. I don't make much money with my design related work, although I'm trying and getting a little better at it. And I've spent a lot of time as an account supervisor or strategic planner for design related projects. That pretty much marks me as "the enemy" in most designer's books.
But, I like wrestling with the ideas and thoughts that define design and the creative process. I think would enjoy designing more if I didn't keep comparing myself to folks as good as you. Sure, I can appreciate a well crafted font or a nice website, but what really gets my juices going is exploring the heart and soul of design. If I can understand something's heart and soul, I might be able to enjoy and appreciate it more. Possibly even connect with why God made me this way and gave me an interest in design. And my hope is that maybe you will too.
So, the next time you have a thought about the heart and soul of design that interests you, I'd like you to share it with the rest of us. Don't hold back. Now you know there's at least one other "designer" who feels as insecure and in over their head as you do.
But, I like wrestling with the ideas and thoughts that define design and the creative process. I think would enjoy designing more if I didn't keep comparing myself to folks as good as you. Sure, I can appreciate a well crafted font or a nice website, but what really gets my juices going is exploring the heart and soul of design. If I can understand something's heart and soul, I might be able to enjoy and appreciate it more. Possibly even connect with why God made me this way and gave me an interest in design. And my hope is that maybe you will too.
So, the next time you have a thought about the heart and soul of design that interests you, I'd like you to share it with the rest of us. Don't hold back. Now you know there's at least one other "designer" who feels as insecure and in over their head as you do.
posted by fivemcclungs at 3:16 PM
2 Comments:
I'll confess too...I'm not a schooled designer either. I have a Master's degree in English. But my first job out of school was designing ads for a local paper. (They wouldn't let me write because I didn't have a journalism degree - but I could design ads with a M.A. in English. Go figure.) But I think you can teach yourself to design, just like you can teach yourself to write, or to build a house, or to plant a gardent, or damn near anything you're willing to set your mind to. Welcome to the Non-Designers Who Design Club! There's a lot of great people here. ;)
Many years ago when my sister-in-law, who works for a check making company, started discussing "the fonts with little feet" (serifs) I knew that things were radically changing in Design as a business, as a career. The democratization of what was a more or less exclusive field of expertise coincided with blogging on the internet too. Journalists, musicians and illustrators have all seen their careers change because of the computer's easy access to output of work.(Maybe it's just inevitable.) But was something lost in the transition? Depth of knowledge and history, maybe?
While I admire Shawn's enthusiasm, I
disagree that you can teach yourself to do everything. No offense. Heaven help the patient of that next brain surgeon! LOL Better to stick to gardening...
Post a Comment
<< Home