Losing passion?

[undressedmonster]

A job opportunity just popped up that I feel obligated to at least apply for. It is for a design position at a neighboring school district. Being that many of the PR/marketing departments in the various school districts keep in touch and we're all part of a local school PR association, I already know the people I would be working for. In fact, the person who would be my boss told me last December that if he could hire me he would. This would be that chance.

But I'm having doubts about being a designer and if I actually want this new job. Where I am at now, my boss treats me extremely well and I pretty much get my way as far as managing my project schedule. Whatever design I create gets praise from my boss and everyone else, too. I feel like the one really smart person surrounded by a bunch of idiots. This is the easiest job a designer could have.

But when it comes to doing design I'm extremely slow and indecisive as well. Every project I work on I get frustrated halfway through because I get to a creative roadblock and my mind goes totally blank. Even if the design turns out OK or better, the bottom line is that I've come to dread design rather than love it.

If I get this new job, I'll be with another designer and a boss who actually knows about good design and marketing. My project schedule will be much heftier and faster. The thought of having to do fast-paced design among people who know their stuff scares the hell out of me. I don't want to wake up every morning dreading going to work.

I love *seeing* good design, especially good information design, and I love critiquing designs, but actually doing it is really draining me. I'm starting to think about the other things in my job that I actually enjoy doing, and what kinds of jobs/careers they would apply to. Unfortunately it looks like I would rather have a mindless data-entry job than one where I actually have to use my noggin.

Or, I just stay at this job as long as I can because it's easy and I can stay in my comfort zone.

Anyways, I just needed to rant a little. Thanks to anyone who responds.

[urstwile]

I would go for the other job. I hate the thought of getting into a rut, and it sounds like this other position might be just the thing you need to get your passion back, and your confidence level up.

It's nice that you are in a comfort zone, but is that really where you want to remain? I don't know how old you are and what other obligations you might have, but if an opportunity like that came along for me where I would be challenged to think harder and more on my feet, I'd jump at it.

Just my two cents, however. :)

[undressedmonster]

Thanks for the response, Urstwile. I'm kind of surprised anyone is lurking around here on a Saturday!

I'm absolutely going to at least try for the new job. I'm dreading having to put together my portfolio since I haven't touched it in 2 years, but I think I have to at least try.

BTW, I'm 24, two years out of college and without many obligations, other than a student loan and the usual rent and utilities.

[Tea]

I totally agree with Urstwile.

Could the reason you are comfortable is because you are surrounded by "idiots"? If there is at least some hoops to jump to prove your worth, not only will you be challenged as Urst pointed out, but the opportunity to network even more so will be presented. It sounds like you are currently not working with anyone who is your intellectual equivalent. Would that be correct?

My guess is, in a year from now, you would be kicking yourself for not going for it.

[urstwile]

Yeah, I'm just hanging out here killing time until we get ready to start our evening plans.

Definitely at your age it's way too early to get into a rut. Good luck! I hope you get it and it works out well. Sometimes it's easy to just slide into a comfy spot and think everything's hunky dory. This kind of challenge is exactly the kind of thing that can get your juices flowing again. :)

[WannaBrie]

I agree, go for it! I bet that being in a new environment and taking on this challenge will get you a fresh perspective on everything. Good Luck!

[CamarotaDesign]

Take a design where you will be inspired by your peers. I have the same problem, only designer, only person with creativity at my place. I've been designing at a pretty slow pace lately too, its mostly because I'm in a roadblock on a project. I really don't mind doing the "cookie cutter, no though-required, design on auto pilot" type jobs that I do when not working for the creative stuff. Only problem is we don't have a lot of that work lately.

Anyways, You need to get surrounded by creativity. Buy some good design books. Geometry of Design (http://www.amazon.com/Geometry-Design-Studies-Proportion-Composition/dp/1568982496/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-1310016-9149714?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1181427802&sr=8-1) should be good for sparking some new ideas for for yo. But you can only go so far when you are alone.

I'm trying to talk our boss into hiring another designer, not just to split the workload, but to also to combine creative powers, get some synergy going. Very important. It's nice to get paid well, but at some point you gotta take it to the next level or you are gonna be miserable.

[AlyCé]

Beeing around more creatives really helps when you run into the creative blocks. I'm not employed as a designer now, I'm just doing freelance stuff now, gonna start my design education this autumn, but thats beside the point. The point is that I'm so lucky as to have a fiancé thats also a graphic designer/creative, and there's nothing better than when you're in those dry periods to have something that can look and come with an input or notion. Maybe something thats been right before your nose, or a little detail, whatever it is it gives you a good kickstart again.

So you should take this job. A challenge is a good thing, as well as moving forwardly creativly speaking. :)

[JLdezign]

Being around highly creative individuals, ones in which there talents and creativity surpasses yours will suprisingly motivate you and increase your talent and creativity.

[TriciaLynn]

undressedmonster wrote:

I love *seeing* good design, especially good information design, and I love critiquing designs, but actually doing it is really draining me. I'm starting to think about the other things in my job that I actually enjoy doing, and what kinds of jobs/careers they would apply to. Unfortunately it looks like I would rather have a mindless data-entry job than one where I actually have to use my noggin.

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Please, can we all look beyond the fact that most of us here choose to use our creativity as our career path?! I think it is tragic and thoughtless to push someone into pursuing something as important as this just because it is what you would want. This is all about what she wants.

It is very important to stop and evaluate where we are periodically and see if that is the direction we aspire to go or if we really belong somewhere else.

Ten years ago I had been making very good money and was on a very nice corporate track with Bank of America and had tremendous potential. I put everything I had into it and ended up having a meltdown and had to be on a 2 month medical leave. After going back I ended up quitting an 8 year career with no plan whatsoever ( <--- absolutely not advocating that though!) I realized that I loved the work I was doing, and still love the whole banking, loan, commercial and small business matters, compliance, etc, but it was not really what made me want to get up in the morning. Instead it ended up making me physically and mentally sick because I had litterally happened into it and kept getting promoted and learning new departments and skills, travel, benefits, and so on.

I realized I could not endure spending my life or even the next 10 years working in that field. I craved creativity but I was working with numbers, compliance, and contracts. I met someone that I became very close to that was a graphic artist and computer animator. I envied him so much and wanted a creative outlet myself even though I cannot draw a straight line or a round circle. I did a lot of soul searching and praying about it while I did a lot of tempi work trying to find a new field to go into that I was actually good at. Nothing felt good to me.

I had this vision one day of myself with a TV camera. After some serious thought and deliberation with myself and those thoughts I realized I had the signs all my life of someone in that field. I am always trying to figure out how video and film is produced and all the aspects that go into it. I do the same with pictures and a lot of media. I could go on and on about all the signs that I realize everyday that were there from a child even. Then, out of the blue, I ended up getting really close to another man before I even realized he was a producer/director/editor in TV. He was the inspiration I needed and helped me with my confidence in pursuing what is really in my heart.

Anyway, really long story cut before it drags on too much longer...

Everyone has something that makes them tick, makes them happy and want to get dressed for and go out to do. Just because for me it is creative and for most of the rest of us here it is also, does not mean it is for everyone. After all, who would handle my accounting, legal business, teach my children (when I have them), etc if we were all in the same business?

It is really important to continually assess your strengths, weeknesses, talents, giftings, wants, desires, etc. Pursue what is important to you, not what you are comfortable in.

I am not sure what your name is and do not want to call you undressed or a monster (I believe we become what we speak and think of ourselves), but if you believe in your heart you want to be a great designer then it sounds like the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself and learn from some great artists. If you feel that you really like working with data (not mindless at all) then you should go in that direction. Afterall, if your passion is more administrative then what if you miss out on running your very own business one day because you felt you should should take a more challenging creative job?

I remind myself everyday of the scripture below:

[TriciaLynn]

By the way....

I am on here at 3:00 am on weekends because I finally decided to give up a very active social life to go back to school to become that creative digital media designer that I have a passion to be. I have a job that accomodates my school schedule with not so social friendly work hours.

[PrintDriver]

I was going to say something along the same line as TriciaLynn. I got off the design treadmill about 10 years ago. While I still do illustration and design occasionally, and print production work isn't any less hectic when it comes to deadlines, I find I like what I do now a whole lot better.

Maybe a career evaluation is in order?

[Tea]

Tricia makes some excellent and valid points.

The thought of having to do fast-paced design among people who know their stuff scares the hell out of me.

This part was key for me when I read your post.

I don't think it will hurt though to throw your hat into the ring. You don't have to change jobs, just check it out. See what's there, what growth potential is there, maybe it isn't what you want at all, maybe if you get an interview, you'll feel the passion again. Maybe not and maybe you'll say, "I would hate working here."

There's the question. Where is your passion? Is it really in design/art as TL and PD have raised in their posts? Or is it elsewhere?

Part of your post suggests that it is, but something is certainly amiss that you are questioning the situation. I could make an educated guess, but it might be better left unsaid.

[Drazan]

Have you looked into marketing?

My experience with marketers: They create the plan for the design, study, trends, statistics, ad placement and analyze and make recommendations for the customers budget. Then they pass the design briefs over to the designers to create whatever is needed for the customer. (very limited description and many places have marketing and design in one person).

I feel that you aren't really happy in your current place. And if you want to contiue to design then go for the other job. Learning and getting feedback from others is a real good way to get out of a rut.

However if the "dread" is from designing itself, then perhaps finding another career path (even in the GD industry) would be a good thing for you.

Jade

[urstwile]

TriciaLynn,

You make some very good points, and in re-reading my initial reply, it's quite possible to misconstrue it as encouraging undressed monster to do something she really doesn't want to do.

However, what I was primarily getting from the original post is that there's a fair amount of uncertainty here in terms of future career paths. While I would never advise someone to try something just because they should try it because it's better to be creative than not (after all, creativity is often found in what many would think unlikely places), nevertheless, I think that if opportunities arise that allow you to explore whether you'd like something or not, if the wherewithal is there, it should be explored, if it's feasible, if for no other reason than to prove to yourself that yes, that's not going to be a fit that's comfortable for you, or that perhaps you have preconceived notions about what certain environments are like.

Your points, however, are well taken. :)