Though I am a graphic designer, it has only been a couple of years since I dared to identify as such. Like with many professions, there seems to be a line dividing those who dabble and those who do, and crossing that line means choosing that title above all others to explain who you are. This is especially true in the creative professions- to study or to enjoy as a hobby dance, theater, art, jewelry making, or fashion design is one thing. To cross over into the professional version can often be a grueling process with little or no wages, compromised ideals and a lack of support from friends or family.

Graphic design seems to be one of the few creative professions that earns a begrudging respect, even amongst the most conservative critics. I would argue that this has to do with a designer’s obligation to the client’s needs and demands as opposed to an individual commitment to the designer’s own artistic vision. It is precisely for this reason that many designers live a sort of dual existence. Unsure or unwilling to commit to making a living as a “true artist”- words ripe with romantic connotations – many graphic designers have stumbled upon their profession as a compromise between artist and businessperson.

That said, there will come a point in every designer’s career where they feel a certain frustration. Imagine spending hours, weeks or months carefully crafting an image, an advertisement or a logo that culminates in what seems to you to be pure perfection. However, after numerous consultations you discover that the client wants the text to be bigger because bigger is more exciting, and then they want to change the green to blue because they think that maybe one time the CEO said he doesn’t really like green and then the image of the rabbit that they had demanded should now be a kangaroo…and suddenly your perfect creation gets turned into a horrendous Frankenstein- an unsightly compromise between your skills and vision and the clients’ demands.

But, of course, that is the essence of graphic design. So what are some ways that a graphic designer can stay sane and maintain decorum? A designer friend of mine gave me some pointers. “First of all, you can’t use your work as your creative outlet. Your work is your work, and even if you disagree with what the client wants, your job is to convince them otherwise. Failing that, you’ve got to do what they want- they’re the ones who are paying.” So what does a designer do with all that bundled up creativity?

“Every designer should have their own projects on the side where they are the one making all the decisions. You could paint or draw, do graffiti, sculpt, sew, whatever you like…for instance, I’m in a band, which is where I get to let out all my feelings. I do what I want without having to worry whether or not my creative output is “commercially viable” or “appealing to upper-class women between the ages of 18-25.” I think without my band I would get really frustrated with my job.”

Not bad advice. It seems that British design firm Attik seems to agree. While they describe themselves as producing “strategically driven branding, advertising, design and interactive work,” it is their side project, Noise, that seems to get a lot of the attention. Noise is a series of art/design books they have published beginning in 1995 and whose latest edition is set to be released this summer 2008. In their own words, “Noise is the space in which we experiment, creating new avenues for us to explore. Without the limitations or practical parameters of the commercial world, we are free to harness ideas and concepts that might falter in the traditional design process. Noise is the most personal and honest representation of our talents.”

So let this serve as a lesson to all you graphic designers out there. Whether you are self-employed or work for a multi-national company- make it a priority to have a creative outlet apart from your work in which you explore ideas and concepts with the utmost freedom. It will probably make you a happier person and who knows, it may even make you a better designer…

Posted in Graphic Design, Tips and Techniques | Comments Off

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 11:04 am and is filed under Graphic Design, Tips and Techniques. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.