I am sure everyone has heard this before: choose your work because you love it and not for the money. It’s completely, one hundred percent true–especially in design. Design is more than a job, it’s a passion. If you don’t like it, then you should just stop. Here’s my take on the subject:
1. If You Like it, You Will Be Successful
Seriously. The more passionate of a designer you are the better your work will be. Look at all of the top designers. They are so successful and their work is so good for one reason. They love what they do. They put all their effort into it not to make money, but for the passion. If you love what you do you will be successful.
2. Persistence
If you do something because you actually love it, then you won’t give up. If you are just designing for the money, then you will never get any where. Why? Most of your experience in the design field comes from doing and learning from mistakes. Most designers don’t start making money the day they get into the business. It takes time to build up a reputation and gain experience. You aren’t going to make much money when you are just starting out. If you love it, you will be persistent and will stick with it.
3. Creativity is Passion
Plain and simple. A huge part of creativity is passion. Not much to it.
4. Give it Your Best
Trying as hard as possible is key. Put all of your effort into everything you do. Even if it doesn’t matter, just try your best. If you’re a freelancer and you take a job with a small salary, put forth the same amount of effort you would for a huge project. If you give it your best, you will feel better. I know it sounds “cheesy”, but it’s true.
5. The Economy
Everybody is feeling a little down because of the economy. Everybody except people who work because they love what they do. Designing because you love it is the best way to stay bright in the down economy.
What Not to Do
First, remember “perfection is pointless”. Read this article for more on that: https://spoonfeddesign.com/?p=1287. Also, don’t try to love design. Either you love it or you don’t. If you don’t, find something you do like and pursue a career there.
A Word From Gary
Listen to what Gary Vaynerchuk has to say on this topic:
So that’s what I have to say….
What do you think? I would love to hear.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I find oftentimes that I’m sick of designing. Since I’m a design student this is mostly during final exams when all the projects are due at once and that semester I just waisted isn’t coming back. I’d like to think that there’s such a thing as too much design, especially since my fiancée is in the same field. It’s important to know when to stop.
-Mike
Great post. I actually recently quit my job as a designer at a sign company because I didn’t love what I did and I felt like I was selling out because I was almost ashamed of my of ‘my’ designs.
Now I’m broke as hell, living in a tiny studio and doing what I love; designing concert fliers, posters, merch, and fonts. I don’t get paid for my designs but I couldn’t be happier, haha.
-Cheers
raf sistem
Thanks for article. Good.