With all the huff and puff about “top css galleries” and “top designers to follow on twitter” and “how to be a rockstar designer” floating around the web these days it’s hard to feel like your work has any value. Because it’s all about who you know and not what you know, right?
So I’m proposing a, well… not so new, perspective for the rest of us “non-rockstar” designers out there. A frame of mind where we stop comparing ourselves among ourselves and instead start building each other up with encouraging comments and constructive criticisms. What would/could happen if we disembarked from our present journey of searching endless hours on so-called “inspirational” sites and started looking inward for our own inspiration?
Someone once told me that the best way to get is to give.
I don’t mean to sound all “new-agey” dr. feelgood, living in a world of rainbows and unicorns. I know we all have dark days where nothing inspires us and we can’t find any thread of motivation. But again, we can’t simply focus on ourselves at times like this, then we’re no better than those self-indulgent “rockstars”. Someone once told me that the best way to get is to give. And I like to take that literally, meaning that the more I give my time or my skills to help someone else out, I always end up with more inspiration in the end. It’s that creative “bump-in-the-road” we all come to, and how we get over it depends on our drive, desire and our knowing we can do better. If you haven’t seen the video of Ira Glass talking about the creative process, he explains it much better than I ever could.
But why then do I consider myself the worst designer? Because that’s how I feel right now, measuring myself up against giants like Jason Santa Maria or The Perel Trio or Rob Morris. These guys are on top of their game right now, and while it’s great to see and admire their work, it leaves me feeling less than adequate to redesign my own site. But honestly, this is just another bump in the road (like I mentioned earlier) that I have to cross. And because I have become comfortable enough with myself to know that more often than not my work is solid, I know this isn’t the end of the road.
So while I wade through the thick muck of designers block, I came up with a list of ideas to help get the juices flowing.
Take a walk. Dance a jig. Get some sun. Don’t take yourself to serious. Cook something ethnic. Play the 3 chords you know on guitar. Go get coffee. Tell a bad joke, to yourself, and laugh. Look at the way a leaf is made. Overhear someone else’s conversation. Write it down. Remember it later. Get some sleep.
Note: I’m putting this out there as a practice to not be perfect. My hope is that it helps you, whoever you are/wherever you are, get through all the distractions in our lives that want to clog us up. We will never get anywhere by standing still, and we will never succeed by being busy.
59 Comments
Mr Steed, Im completely with you on this one. Being a designer is a curse and a blessing. Keeping up is a battle.
I have actually been approaching the more important things in life. I love design, solving problems, and being creative…but in the end I revert to my favorite quote, “Graphic design will save the world, as soon as Rock n’ Roll does.” My point being that we can get caught up in this design bubble where we are constantly pushing ourselves to be that much better/creative/popular/current/whatever. In reality we truly forget the things that really matter in life (family, friends, faith, etc). Of course design penetrates all these gems of our life, but I have been turning my focus.
My career and design are important, but the time I spend at home with my wife and friend is much more important. I don’t want to be remembered as that guy that never left the office cuz he was updating his website. In the big scheme of things, I think design controls the designer, rather than the designer controlling the design.
This make any sense?
@Joel – We are on the same wave length. I too, want to be remembered for the time I devoted to my family and friends over any piece of design I ever make. Paper/the web is temporary, but relationship are everlasting. And being 26 (almost 27) these are the years where we are really pressed and refined in to becoming the men/women we will be remembered for. Thanks for the heartfelt comment man.
Joel,
How true. I can relate to this. When I first started my design business, I found myself talking about it a lot. It energized me. It inspired me. It motivated me. I created a lot of buzz in my social circles and it helped keep me fresh as “the graphic designer” in people’s heads.
A couple of months later, I realized it’s all I could talk about. Suddenly I found myself unable to just hang out with a friend and talk about “normal things.” Sure, I became “the graphic designer” but I was becoming less of “the friend,” “the sister,” “the fiance.” It scared me. I realized that in my little Moleskine agenda full of appointments and production schedules, relationships needed to fit in too.
I think I have a fair balance of life and business/design now. Always tweaking it, but yeah, you are so right. And it’s even harder that we also need to make sure we set aside time where we are ALWAYS sharpening our skills. We’re superhumans, man …
Kyle,
I am so happy I found this post.
For the longest time, this same topic frustrated me too. Loved seeing others’ great work but at times, it seemed to reveal to me how inadequate I am in comparison. So depressing! I’d think, “Okay, this is a gallery for inspiration … why do I feel like stopping design altogether?” LOL
It’s a plague for many artists, I think. It’s hard, but it’s so crucial to remember that there WILL be people better than you but keep in mind that they had to start from somewhere. Thank you SO much for posting this. I’m glad I’m not alone in thinking this.
Havana
Wow!! What an excellent post. You inspired me with your words; not with images. I totally agree with you. I think that sometimes, I doubt my own work because I compare myself to the designers that I admire. Unfortunately, as humans , I think that we all do that. Thanks for the excellent post!
This is one of the best articles I have read in a while. With all the talk about burnout going around this week (and the week I have had in general), I think it’s the perfect time to step back and like you said, not take ourselves so seriously.
I can totally relate to the feeling of being a non-rock star designer because of the works of others and the whole pile of inspiring websites out there. Although, I do have to say that just because we aren’t huge stars to the others in our field like the ones you mention, doesn’t mean we aren’t rock stars in our way. Take pride in your work and keep delivering solid designs to clients and when you deliver a product that they are both impressed and amazed by; you should consider that a rock star moment provided by a rock star designer.
Believe me you are not the worst designer, so keep on keepin’ on! I am right here with you enjoying the hell out of the web design trenches even if not everyone knows who I am or follows me on twitter! HA!
Again great job and I am sure your new site design will ROCK!
@Tim – Wow, thank you for your gracious words. And I think you’re on to something there, that we as humans all suffer from looking to others for validation. When in fact we should be looking to our Creator to tell us who we are.
@Phillip – Man, first off, thanks for the encouraging words. This is what I’m talking about, and I’m glad to see you living it. It’s always good to look around in the trenches and see others right by your side. I really appreciate your kind words and participating in this conversation. That has been in my heart from day one, to get people thinking and talking in the comments.
Hey Kyle,
I appreciate your honesty and transparency with this. I think Ira is right when he talks about achieving below our potential and just having to fight through it – I’ve definitely experienced that very thing in my career.
Good luck with the journey. Keep your head up.
Brian
Wow, great post. And that Ira Glass video is phenomenal, thanks for sharing. I watched the other videos in the series. With the attitude and passion you have it’s only a matter of time before you are the the “rockstar” designer the rest of us drool over. And you’ll have a more balanced life to boot!
I see where your coming from Kyle, but I dont think you should put people on a pedestal.
Yes people like JSM are great at what they do, but you have to remember that they have been designing for a years. They have honed down there skill’s and know what makes a great design and that comes from experience. The more you design the better you will become if you want to.
What I tend to do is every design I make should be better then the last (not just on the eye candy but on the planning and the UX side of things).
Also think positive, if you want to be the next JSM etc think it and it will happen.
Just look back 6-12 months down the line at previous work that you have done and you will see an improvement.
I hope this helps.
@Brad – Hahaha, I hope I’m not the next “rockstar” designer. Way too much pressure.
Thanks for hanging around the site and posting your thoughts.
@Ryan – Alright, I guess I did seem to be holding those designers up on a pedestal huh? But that wasn’t my intention. I only put them in there because they are the ones that inspire me, not because I hope to aspire to their level one day. That’s not a jab at them, they’re great, but my sites are set higher. Moreover, thanks for the encouragement to think positively. I know I have a tendency to get down on myself, and talking about openly helps put things in perspective. I have been at my current job for 16 months now and looking back it’s amazing how far I’ve come from when I first started. Thanks for your comment.
This happens to me also. specially on those empty days where the lack of creativity is all that’s left.
But you know, boosting egos is not a good thing and this is what happens all the time in this 5-minute-fame-fucking-crazy-world we live in. everybody wants to rock, everybody wants to be admired and followed. i include myself in this bizarre package sometimes, specially when i’m feeling like shit.
like my first poster, i still think that design is pure inspiration and it necessarily comes from the inside. we see just a few really good designers out there, real artists, and it’s a personal point-of-view. And seeing their work opens some “channels” that gives a spark on our inspiration. and that’s it. nothing more. you can get inspiration just walking on the street or collecting bread clips like Able does or during some meditation, or even going to the bathroom like Van Hallen.
The ideas are not ours. they exist in the Universe just waiting for someone with “opened channels” to get them.
Yesterday i read a “status” written by a designer i used to admire, being clearly proud of having almost 4,000 people following him on twitter and he following nobody. That’s the worst thing i read this week.
And in the end, my artwork is just about putting on paper what i am feeling or thinking. there is so much to learn though.
So, that said, don’t get too hard on yourself. you (3) have nice design works and your artwork (besides other things) is your contribution to mankind.
Peace.
Christian – Thanks for your comment man. I completely agree with you that inspiration works from the inside out, not the other way around. When we see something that inspires us it triggers that creative spirit inside us and helps us create something new.
This is one of the things that I really don’t envy of designers. Any profession has its rockstars, and on bad days it makes you question your own ability and become really self deprecating. Being a designer, and pouring yourself into everything you do must make the trough of your bipolar professions really deep. As Christian above said, it’s important to not be hard on yourself – even though that probably seems impossible a lot of the time.
And that’s the main difference between you and the “big guys”. They can play 5 chords.
Which means I must be freakin’ Jupiter
Anyway.. Nice post!
Thanks for the insight, it’s so true. And i believe you’ve been reading Stark, My Creative Companion?? Loved it.
Peace, from Venezuela
Moving!! I’m a Pastor, and the same trend exists in that field of work also. There are the guys on TV and the ones with a dozen books published… then there are the rest of us. As a designer, I’ve become very fond of my connections with “average joe” designers like me. Awesome article!
I think this is a problem we can all relate to. And I think there’s there is actually something really simple to keep in mind which might boost your spirits.
There is no pressure on you to create work as good as Jason Santa Maria’s work. The only person who has that burden is Jason himself.
All you need to do is create work to the level that you can work to, and what people who hire you expect from you.
I think one of the advantages of having a portfolio is that people get a good idea of your quality of work, and they pretty much base their expectations of a new project on work you’ve done before.
So if you have managed to impress someone enough for them to want to work with you – all you need to worry about is building your design to a consistent level, and hopefully any improvements you’ve made since your last design will shine through.
Compare yourself to yourself, then you might appreciate your work more. Look at some really old designs of yours and see just how far you’ve come. Always helps focus me when I hit the point where I want to give in.
Good discussion here. Great post Kyle.
@liam – This is really great advice, thank you. You really hit the nail on the head here about only looking at ourselves in the mirror and not the people we look up to. I think I will spend some time this weekend going back over some old designs and seeing what I’ve learned since then and appreciating how far I’ve come. Thanks again for your encouraging words and hanging around the blog.
Great and refreshing post… the part you said about being remembered for time devoted to friends and family, I couldn’t agree more.
Whenever I’ve had a case of “designers block” i’ve always found more inspiration from friends, family and “real life” than I’ve ever found browsing other designers work.
Kyle,
Great article, you really struck a chord. Since joining twitter I was pleased at the amount of design inspiration, resources and greatness out there, but at the same time displeased about how all this amazing stuff made my work look lame by comparison. Like you say though, just looking at old work is a great motivator and demonstrates just how much you have improved.
@liam – great points, we would probably all make changes to work we’ve done but if it was good enough for the client at the time and they were happy with it then it has done it’s job, therefore making you a successful designer!
“Compare yourself to yourself” is a great little motto, now where’s that T-shirt printing shop….?
lol, yeah – It sounds a bit cheesier than I intended, but it’s probably the best way of summing up what I do for sure
Thanks
I think it’s a great idea for a t-shirt.
Wonderful article and commentary.
I, too, find myself often looking “from the outside, inward”. Questioning myself along the way. But, you know something? I’m fortunate to have client relationships that have lasted 10 or even 20 years. I wish I had the marketing machine to promote myself and work like some of the “rock stars” mentioned. Watch out… I’m cranking up the machine now and developing a new plan to showcase my work and hopefully develop a new blog to spotlight designers like us.
Thanks.
Joann,
Thanks for the comment. I am in awe of your 10-20 year client relationships, that is very inspiring and rare to find. When in this new economy people like to treat designers as a fast food restaurant, get in and out as quick as possible. But I believe the power of solid relationships, whether in business or in your personal life, are what build us up and help us grow. I’m looking forward to hearing more about your new blog and spotlight you mentioned. Take care.
This is my first time to your site. This article immediately grabbed my attention. I’ve secretly felt like the “worst designer” for many years now. I’ve been in the design industry for 8 years, I’ve never been able to land a studio job mostly because I lacked the confidence (and connections), not the skills. People have told me I’m a great designer but I didn’t believe them… I was too busy comparing myself to the “rock stars”. Your proposal to change perspective and “build(ing) each other up with encouraging comments and constructive criticisms” is something that should be adopted by everyone! I’m seeing it happen! In fact, over the past 6 months, I’ve discovered the courage and confidence, in myself, to start my own freelance business because of the encouragement I found in my local design community.
(It’s going very well, I might add.)
@liam – I think this is a really great exercise. It’s really puts things into perspective. I recently found the first ever logo I designed back on my first day of graphics school! I’ve come so far in 8 years!
Cynthia,
That’s fantastic. I’m so glad to hear that you’ve found the confidence and stepped out on your own. Congratulations. I wish you all the best. Also, I really like your blog and how you give an “estimated time” to read each article. That’s a unique idea. Thanks for your comments and I’m glad you were able to find my blog. Take care.
Kyle,
This post truly encouraged me…I appreciate your transparency and your ability to articulate what I feel much of the time! Thanks for sharing the Ira Glass piece too; that was new to me.
Hey Kyle,
Your list of ideas to help get the juices flowing reminds me of a big list written by Ellen Lupton for one of our type assignments. Its the 40 tips and tricks to get in the mood to get ideas. some of them are great. check them out.
This is a really honest article that i think hits home for a lot of designer out there especially young ones at the start of their career. Those videos from Ira glass are great motivation. I’m glad you included them.
I run siteInspire – a CSS/web design gallery – and I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m more inspired when I’m in a quiet art gallery, walking in the park, or going to the pub than trawling tutorial/gallery sites. It’s just occasionally nice to see work that is better and more daring than ones’ own.
I’m also a bit frustrated by the rockstar web design thing… My personal favourite designers are barely known because they don’t thrust themselves into the limelight, and the vast majority are truly awful designers… Larissa Meek, comes to mind.
Daniel – Yeah man, I love the site inspire site. I’ve checked it out before and was blown away at all the great design on there. But I couldn’t agree more with you that I am more inspired by taking a walk or just getting outside, just something away from the computer. It seems to let my brain relax and rejuvenate for when I do sit back down to do some design. Thanks for your comment.
Cool! So finally I have a moment to read and comment on your post Kyle! There are some very valid comments here and I don’t plan on expanding on them, I just plan on telling you my experience in this subject.
First of all… thanks for putting our name next to the likes of Santa Maria. I seriously don’t consider myself to be even close to his level of skill but its cool to see that other people may think that.
Still to this day I look at some portfolio’s and want to cry with jealousy (Liam’s work in particular… thanks dude).
Remember that design is subjective. Some people think certain work sucks while others think it rocks.
If you feel that you ’suck’ (no one sucks, they are just different) I can share with you how I improved.
I used to take screenshots of sites that I liked and then I would copy them pixel for pixel. Eventually the work that I was copying became redundant because while copying I would ‘improve’ on their design. By the end of a copy project (which, btw are stored in a folder and never released to anyone) would look nothing like the original.
The point of the exercise was to learn and pick up what they were thinking during their design process.
Also work on details and spacing, look at someone like Liam for detail and Coliss Ta’eed for spacing. Then combine the two, then take effects from someone else’s design (EG Santa’s hand drawn post) and throw that in there. Once you have mixed the three into one try link the elements, make it consistent… and so on.
Next thing you know, you have your own unique design which was based on the legends but looks nothing like their work.
Even some of the best designers don’t wake up with the brilliance in their heads, its a case of trial & error, making mistakes and then realizing it wasn’t a mistake. Its about practice practice practice and also failures.
By practicing hard certain things become second nature to the point where you don’t even have to worry about it. Its like when I used to race, I never thought of taking the right line or braking point… that was all second nature (after lot’s of practice), what I was thinking about was the next move on the person in front of me. Its the same with design, instead of worrying about how to add something, you are already thinking of what will look good with that element. #boom.
And that is how I supposedly became a good designer (I still think I suck, so you’re not alone).
The key is to be yourself and create your own style, your own ‘brilliance’ through practice. There will always be people who like your work, its just a matter of them finding you…. and in their mind you will totally rock.
David – I think you win the award for the longest comment left on my site so far. I’m digging what you said about rebuilding other people’s sites from a screenshot to learn from their design process. Design is a trial and error profession, where we start out making tons of mistakes but by the end we are trying all sort of things that may or may not be an error. And that’s the fun part about design, is even the mistakes can turn in to something great.
Thanks for the great comment and interaction via From-the-Couch.
Oh yeah, wanted to add one more thing, I read this quote somewhere and it stuck with me… whether its right or not I do.not.care:
“Good designers copy, great designers steal”
#boom
Great read dude.
Kyle…
Probably my favorite article of yours to date…
do “your” thing… we can’t be others and if we were… we would just be imitations of others… learn, glean what you can… and improve as a designer/developer… but don’t lose who you are.
Awesome read man!
~ Aaron I
@Aaron – thanks man for your great comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the article. This is actually one of those things that happened in the spur of the moment, on a whim of inspiration. I had read the ALA article about burnout earlier in the week prior to writing this, and had been contemplating it all week. Finally I just had to put something down in writing to get it out of my head.
When I graduated from college back in 1993, I thought I was destined for an ad agency. No such luck, unfortunately. Fraid I was never pretty enough, skinny enough or popular enough for that kind of gig. Sucks losing jobs on looks alone. That was the first thing I had to get over. Then it seemed what other jobs I got I couldn’t keep for much more than a year without everything blowing up. Turns out I’m a boat rocker. Can’t keep my mouth shut if I see something I believe to be wrong. So I got fired a lot. NEVER for my graphic design work, I am proud to say. But it was obvious I needed to work on my social skills and attitude if I was ever going to stay gainfully employed. Then, just as I thought I’d successfully jumped that hurdle, the economy does a jig on our industry. My employer goes belly up and I’m competing with 200+ designers for ever job that comes up. Competing against not just newly graduated, but designers with Masters and experience matching or exceeding my own. And this is for enry level production jobs. Now I’m an old designer and am finding it difficult to keep up with technology. My old standby software, FreeHand, has been thrown in the garbage for no good reason than someone with more money won. What keeps me in the game now is my design skills seem to still be improving. I still find creating to be the most satisfying thing I could ever do. So I plod on as I always have. Every once in a while a designer with maybe four years experience throws a punch my way about how I need to learn photoshop, when it is quite obvious they don’t recognize vector work when they see it. Hurtful, but funny. One thing I can say is that after all these years, I can take a professional punch better than anyone! And I have a head full of industry knowledge some people would kill over. No, am not, nor will I probably ever be, considered a great designer. But I’m solid, I have loyal clients and I get a design published every now and then. Despite the lows, it has been a really wonderful career. In the end that is what is important. Your own peace of mind.
thanks for writing this kyle, and that video was great. i’m 27 so hearing Ira say that even after 8 years when he was 27 things weren’t fantastic gives me hope. all the best.
Simon Robertson´s last blog ..Meet Milo, he’s cool and kinda scary… but still way cool…
Kyle, I think you’ve touched upon something that EVERY designer, in EVERY field faces. It used to really get me down when I would stumble across a kick-ass portfolio. I would have no inspiration to even open Photoshop for, like, days.
But what I’ve learnt is, as you said in your post, believing in yourself and your abilities, and that, while other people have talent, you are unique and have the ability to produce something that has your unique flavour in it, and that alone brings your work value.
On the other hand, to tone down the philosophical side, building my skills as a designer is something that, I find, happens almost without my knowledge. I look back on projects I did even 12 months ago, and I can see how far I’ve come in my skills and capability to express creativity.
Thanks again for the important reminder that we all need once in a while
Cheers
Daniel
You got it. We are all have a unique style that defines us, even though we may look to others for inspiration. But once we become comfortable with who we are and what we do that natural style will begin to flow out of us.
Thanks for your comment.
Once again, let me join the ranks by saying something apropo. The Rockstars you envy or measure yourself against, get to that spot by 2 different reasons: Being at the right place at the right time and drive. Sure there’s talent, but don’t we all possess it anyway? We are reading this article aren’t we?
I’ve seen fellow students that didn’t have an ounce of talent succeed tremendously at great odds on sheer volume. The amount of work they did was amazing. The work itself had a lot to be desired but these people kept churning it. Willpower. Difference is they didn’t get inspired by the myriad of sites and articles and top lists and sat there with their ideas, they produced them, they failed, they tried again. Most of us (myself included) think about these great ideas that something we saw through our screen spurned out. But we don’t move away and the idea gets lost. No action, no rewards. Life and our careers are a constant search for knowledge and practice. There’s no stopping point, so we must be passionate or find something else.
I’d suggest you just focus on your own work and get over other people. Web fame has nothing to do with quality of work. I know a lot of brilliant designers who have absolutley no web presence except for there company website. Some of these guys are much ‘bigger’ then your so called ‘fat cats’.
Really good article Kyle, ‘Nail on the head’ ran through my mind when reading it. I suffer with paralysis analysis, and only recently started displaying work I have done, good or bad, and it has helped me discover a creative process that has given me a lot of heart to take on bigger bolder projects.
Cheers
David Bolton
I think it’s true in many facets of life best not to compare yourself to others (Which inevitably leads to despair, as you say). You do get caught in a mental beat up which is rarely healthy.
But i also think there’s room for aspiration, I think you need these benchmarks to hold yourself to as a method of continual self improvement. Obsessing and constant comparison is not what i’m suggesting but as with anything, moderation is the key. You’re not Jason Santa Maria now but who says you can’t be? How are you ever going to get there if you accept mediocrity.
Don’t be afraid to succeed.
Kyle, I absolutely love this post. My soul very much so needed this. Thank you for being bold enough to voice this.
I have been away from the city (Dallas… a heart-stealer if you let it) and I feel as though there is new creation in me. I’m thankful for the clarity I’ve been seeing through this week. Thanks for making my lens a little clearer with this post.
All the best to you and yours.
Great to hear/read someone else is having the same negative thoughts every now and again.
Thanks for the post man!
“Someone once told me that the best way to get is to give. And I like to take that literally, meaning that the more I give my time or my skills to help someone else out, I always end up with more inspiration in the end.”
Well said, Kyle. This is a great statement we as artists can all relate to. I’ve come to find that using your skills to a greater good or cause does bring forth creative energy and fuzzy feelings inside which in turn only makes you more motivated and so on. It’s not often people acknowledge or even recognize this little piece of karma.
Great article. I think that you have captured what life is really all about, it’s about giving. I think that the true “Rock Stars” in life are the one’s that give. I believe that their return will a much bigger payoff. If we could all keep this principle in the forefront of our minds everyday, this world might just be a little better off.
Thanks for writing such a great article. Keep up the great work !
Adam
Adam´s last blog ..Keep the Weeds Out
Wow…great post, great comments. See how many of us can actually relate to this? This post is like the seed for a new era of thought. Thanks for taking the time to share your inner sh*t…cause we all have it, and rarely do we release it into the (ww)wild. I recently got myself a plot in a community garden, and it’s helped wonders – just getting off the shiny box for a few hours to play in the mud has helped me grow creatively. My new mantra? “I’m so fly.”
Kyle, you’ve just answered a question with which I’ve been fighting over, all my life. Funny bit, I thought I was the only one with the same problem.
I guess in one sense it’s a good thing to have the RIGHT taste to tell apart from a design that’s ACTUALLY good from one that isn’t (and I seriously pity those who can’t even do that!). I guess the rest depends on how far you’d want to take it by pushing yourself to that next level. I do hate every design I’ve ever done but having said that, when I look back, I notice a big step in improvement along the way. So there! Even if I’m not happy with my work, I know it’s getting better from where I began.
It’s not just having a dream that gets one successful. It’s PROTECTING it and FIGHTING for it. And that FIGHT for designers, is to bridge the gap from what they like to what they do. Those who can’t fight all the way just end up changing careers.
Really dig the header you did for Worship House Concerts site. http://houseconcertresource.ning.com/
Devin
Thank you so much.
Awesome post. All the comments pretty much sum up what I would say here. It is refreshing to stumble across an article that sums up the way I feel sometimes. Thanks for Keeping It Real.
Chad
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Cyprian Gwóźdź´s last blog ..Sardinia’s lesson of blue.
Kyle, I think you wrote this months ago for me to read now.
After messing around with different ideas, I’m returning to freelance design work. However, I feel like I’ve been left behind a little, and I don’t feel good about it.
I start a four year, four full days/week college course on Monday. Our first child is due in three weeks, and I have to put food on the table.
All of a sudden, web design has become almost life and death. It alone, affords me the flexibility to provide for my family while I study, and though it’s not my life vocation, I do enjoy it.
However, it takes time to create the perfect website the client requires. Can I do it on the side? Time will tell.
My consolation? Prayer.
You suggest “Take a walk. Dance a jig. Get some sun…” but for those of us with faith in Christ, it’s amazing what prayer can do to spark inspiration and help.
I might not be a rockstar designer, but I’ve access to the wisdom of He who created much more intricate and beautiful designs than all the top designers combined.
Armen´s last blog ..3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Let Your Web Designer Host Your Website
Right on Armen. Thank you for pointing out how amazing prayer can be when we’re in a bind. I wish you all the best with the birth of your new child and patience while you return to school. I know since I started back to school this semester things have been really crazy.
Thanks for the well wishes, bro.
Armen´s last blog ..How to Get Client’s Begging You To Take Their Money
Truly inspirational! You have no idea how much this post has motivated me, seriously it made my day.
I think this is one of the most inspirational articles I have read in a long time. Everyday I beat myself up because despite the endless and sleepless hours I spend to try and learn as much as I possibly can, and follow all the advice I have found from other “rockstars” and “rockstar site networks” (ie: envato and fuel networks), I still suck so much, and feel like the more I learn, I also learn that I really don’t know anything at all in comparison to top designers and bloggers out there. Every step I take forward to learn more, it’s like I take 100 steps backward at the same time.
I was beginning to think I was the only person that was experiencing this feeling, because people don’t tend to post this type of thing, that I have seen. I have to tank you, because I’ve been feeling regrets that I didn’t go into a different field of work because web design doesn’t seem to be my forte at times. Now I am motivated to keep it up, and get passed that point of sucking so much, and making crappy things that I wish I could just make “good” like other people seem to be able to do. Now I know I do just suck, and I need to get better lol.
Thanks man, I guess I need someone to confirm that fact, because I knew I wasn’t crazy
I’ll add you to my blogroll, feel free to add my site to yours if you want:
http:///tweeaks.com
We can help each other out with traffic and link-backs, if you don’t want to that’s fine too.
Jared
Jared´s last blog ..Create A Javascript Banner Ad Rotator
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