According to Yahoo news, I have the most satisfying career. (read the full article here)
My husband forwarded that story to me, and I was a bit unsure of how to take that ... it often seems like the most under appreciated job choice!
Then I got a phone call from a friend who has been having a symbiotic thought lately. We talked about a new business idea, online community, forum for inspiration and personal motivation, and I had to confess that it's super daunting! To have an idea grow over a year, popping up every once in a while, then finally get words for it is one thing. That's what had been happening last year. Around the new year is when I realized what I needed to do. The only problem is, it's too big for just me! I don't know how to do all of the aspects of this idea, and it scared me to know where to start.
So when my friend called today to talk about his version of this same idea (are you believers in coincidence? have you ever known that ideas NEED to come about, and they will come about, whether you are brave enough to usher it to life?)
so anyhow, when your friend also has a similar idea, and, it wonderfully Compliments what you were thinking of, the picture just gets bigger. How do we start this? How do I build a business like this when I have never done this before? These daunting thoughts were totally talking in my head while we were putting down the first stones on this path. By the end of our conversation, I realized that we are the right people for the job. We can figure out how to make this happen. Not just for the money, not just for the idea that it will change the world, but because this IDEA is needing to become reality.
That's how it works, I've been realizing. I used to think that I created things - boom, there it is. I thought of that. Well, that's not necessarily true.
I get to be the conduit for so many beautiful things. That's what's true. If and when I open myself up, things, ideas, melodies, songs, lyrics--I can hear what they've been trying to say. Not necessarily just to me, either, all of these things need to be heard. By anyone! By me! By YOU! It's our gift to be able to usher them to a physical reality, to be the guardian, of sorts, for these ideas. We get to teach other people about this "new thing" -- but really, we are also learning all the time about that new thing.
One of my clients in the past couple of months has helped show me this. Their product is about to launch, and I just absolutely can't wait, and it's been the strangest journey of design. It was the first time with graphic design that I actually realized it wasn't my idea, it wasn't their idea, but it was the idea showing itself to us. When I'd change the type this way, or that, or put shapes here, or there, they clearly would fit, or not fit!
Now, having been schooled in the concept & practice of design, there was a huge part of my brain saying, well, the principles of design say ____. But what I found out, was, this idea was happy looking a certain way. And it was obvious to my clients and I almost simultaneously! How can you clarify that process? How does that make sense?
Then it dawned on me - these "ideas" are amazing individual beings. We might call them shoes, or a brochure, or a website. But in their heart, there was an idea. And that idea has it's own individual integrity. I'm discovering that my job is to be the sort of divining rod cloaked as a graphic designer, to help hone in on what that idea wants to look like. What typography does it want to wear, what are it's favorite colors. Why it's a huge fan of the 90's. MY personal preference can absolutely have no sway on the idea's preference, it is becoming my job to know how to explain and potentially defend the idea's outfit and presentation. To say that it simply is "happiest" this way? Not everyone would know what I mean :)
So 2011. What a year. And it's only been 24 days. Can you believe it? Can you also believe that one of my clients is a high-profile winery from Malibu, and on Saturday they had a Huge writeup in the New York Times! Sometimes it just blows my mind what I get to work on, and the responsibility I have to follow through on my work. (like, don't drop the ball on this latest idea! I can totally do it!)
So when Yahoo says that freelance graphic designers have the most satisfying careers, I'm still not sure...
The most diverse for projects on your desk at any given moment?
Yes.
The most interesting if non-existant work hours?
Yes.
The most intellectually intense for seeing things in your mind, having to, and actually being Able to show them on paper?
Yes.
The most fun office space?
Yes :)
Well, I think Yahoo has a point with this one. I do have the funnest office I have ever been in, and the most comfortable chair. So does this make me the most satisfied?
That's the challenge. I get to be asked to do my best, for people who need my services-strangers, friends & family, and need to sleep well at the end of the day.
Judging from my dreams lately, I must be satisfied. I can honestly say that I have been trying my best, even when I don't want to. That's what 2011 is really speaking to me about. With so much going on in the world, so many projects on the table, so many ideas taking root in my brain, this is definitely a year for clarity. Being clear, in the moment, do your best, in that moment. That is what I strive for in 2011.
Satisfaction, I'm sure, will follow.Labels: creative, design, satisfaction