Comparing you work

[jasonodom]

I'm full of questions in these forums, and you guys have been excellent in answering them for me. This site is great!

On that note, a question. Is it normal to think that other artists are "better than you" in this field? Everyone I've dealt with recently seems to do ALOT better work than me, but then again maybe it's just because their style is different.

I don't know if it's safe or not to criticize yourself in that way - I just sometimes get depressed thinking I should be further than where I am. Any advice? Thanks guys!

[Drazan]

Don't compare but appreciate the different styles of other artists.

There are tons of people that are completely awesome in their skills. They may be better, and some I know are definitely more creative.

However, if you keep thinking you are "not as good" then it just beats you down and drive you nuts. There's no "I've learned it all and I'm as good as I'm going to get." in this industry. With trends and theories constantly changing there's always going to be something new to learn.

Also if you are just starting out and are compairing yourself to people that have been in the industry for 20 years then yes you will see that gap. But as you learn and grow and gain experience then you will see that gap narrow.

Work within your limits to service your customers, while learning more on the side to expand your services. Some learn on customer projects - which is ok, but you may end up with problems or expotential costs because of the unknown. I like to grow by experimenting on my own things then integrating the new knowlege into services offered to the customer.

[budafist]

My bf who I think is an AMAZING artist (heaps better than me) went through a stage where he would get frustrated when he saw art that was better than his. He wanted to quit drawing. It was hard to pull him out of there.

There will always people better than you.

One way to think about it is that those people more talented than you cannot take on the workload of all the design in the world. Also bear in mind that there are a lot of people with lesser skills than you that are making a decent living.

If I'm feeling down like that, I will go to an art gallery, have a look at the insane price tag on art that I think is absolute rubbish and go home make something better.

[mojoprime]

As Merlin said in "Excalibur" as he tried to snatch a fish from the pond while Arthur looked on, and then splashed into the water when he missed: "Remember, there's always someone more clever than yourself." There are some phenomenal designers, a lot of them on this site, that i just scratch my head at trying to figure out where they get these great ideas from.

like the others said, be your own person, your own artist and you'll find some peace and some middle ground.

[DesignStudio]

Alot of good advice. I think this is a good thread because I'd say this is a fairly common topic for alot of artists.

A couple of quick thoughts: I think it is common to be more impressed by other artists who's style is different than yours. I'm most impressed when I look at something and say, "Wow, I couldn't do that", because it's a totally different medium or style than I practice in. Comic book art for example, or digital illustration. I don't do those things, so I'm impressed when I see very good examples.

I think it's much harder to see someone doing something very similar to what you do, but doing it better. It's discouraging. But you have to see it as an opportunity to learn. While it can be a cut throat business, alot of times those people are very willing to give you advice and encouragement. Look at Jeff Fisher as prime example. I could look at his work and be discouraged that my logos maybe aren't up to the level his are, or I could take advantage of the publications and advice that he regularly puts out to help others acheive what he has and more. And a few times you might find people who are secretive about their work and unwilling to lend advice or experience. You just have to realize that these people are threatened by the next new artist, and not any more secure than you.

[Ned]

When people say I do good work, they're usually just joking or trying to make me feel better. ;)

[G Designz]

When people say I do good work, they're usually just joking or trying to make me feel better. ;)

how long have you been doing it?

[Ned]

Doing what?

[captain spanky]

naaa.
You all suck.
I rule! ;) :D

[DesignStudio]

spanky, that is mean and hurtful. you are a meany mcmeanpants and i don't want to be your friend anymore.:rolleyes:

[frankster]

naaa.
You all suck.
I rule! ;) :D

Hey, king spanky, can I be your queen and share the crown? I'm always looking at new networking opportunities :D Hang on, if you're a captain, is this a military dictatorship?

[G Designz]

Doing what?

graphic design

[DesignStudio]

I don't think a captain would be in charge of a military dictatorship. captain isn't all that high in any of the branches. he'd have to be at least a general or something. captain must be a nickname, like captain kangaroo.

[LeftBrain Artist]

There's no "I've learned it all and I'm as good as I'm going to get." in this industry.

Speak for yourself. I have learned it all - and that is as good as I'm going to get. You can't improve on perfection!

If I have any flaws, its that I'm too perfect - you see how I did that, I put a positive spin on a negative aspect of myself - genius.

[LeftBrain Artist]

I don't think a captain would be in charge of a military dictatorship. captain isn't all that high in any of the branches. he'd have to be at least a general or something. captain must be a nickname, like captain kangaroo.

Captain Kangaroo was bad-A**. Mister Rogers too - ever notice they both wore longsleeve shirts all the time? That was to cover up their tattoos of their confirmed kills in 'nam.

[Ned]

Them Wuss-ass Yanks ain't got nothin' on Canada's Mr. Dressup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Dressup)!!

[frankster]

Captain Kangaroo was bad-A**. Mister Rogers too - ever notice they both wore longsleeve shirts all the time? That was to cover up their tattoos of their confirmed kills in 'nam.

Seems you're not far from the truth there lefty. Freakily, this was way up on a google images search for Mr Rogers...

http://www.voxtango.net/bagera/mr_rogers_and_ar.jpg

[LeftBrain Artist]

Sure, maybe they're urban legends - but I live in the city, so its perfectly all right if I choose to accept them as fact.

[frankster]

I just googled to see who he was. I never expected such a funny urban myth surrounding it all. I learn more about your crazy country every day I'm here!

[LeftBrain Artist]

Them Wuss-ass Yanks ain't got nothin' on Canada's Mr. Dressup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Dressup)!!

Oo. I'm going to start an urban legend about Mr. Dressup.

I heard that Mr. Dressup was once a covert Mountie who trained wolverines to wear surveilance equipment and swim across the Bering Strait during the cold war.

[frankster]

Yeah, my mate told me that too and his mum was Mr dress up's mum's best friend, so it must be true ;)

[Ned]

Ernie Coombs (aka Mr. Dressup)... was one bad mofo'!!

Him and and posse, Casey and Finnegan, were nobody to trifle with!!

The stroke got 'im, only because no man could touch 'im!