[MikeM32]

I've been working as a production artist now for nearly 5 years, and hold no formal degree in graphic design. As a younger man I was incredibly creative, the ideas and inspiration were just there. The funny thing is I never made any money when I was at my most "inspired". I then put my passion to sleep, because it was an all consuming thing that turned me very anti-social. I wanted friends and a "life". So I basically just did any kind of work for like 10 years or more after High School. Was married, divorced did 2 yrs in the Navy, lost both parents, had to move out on my own and support myself (basically had to grow-up).

So after years of not doing any artwork at all I decided it would be best to stop denying my talent. I enterred into the graphics field after a little college much later on in life (I'm about half way to an associates degree and I'm 33 yrs old). Anyway, now I'm in print production, and that's all fine, but I want to break into something more creative. The thing is, I don't really think I have it in me anymore and often feel that the most creative I ever was was when I was in High School and that maybe I just burned out.

Will this production know-how ever lead to an actual "design" career or will it just mean a dead-end? I'd think the production skills would prove more valuable to an ad agency or something, but maybe there are some here that can shed some light on this. I basically want to get my foot in the door in more creative design work. Again, no degree here, but a lifetime (mostly) of being an artist. I'd say my strongest points include page layout, and some illustration.

Has anyone else sufferred through creative burnout for such a long time?

Anyway thanks for any advice.

Mike

[ 03-14-2002: Message edited by: MikeM32 ]

[ 03-14-2002: Message edited by: MikeM32 ]

[registered_user]

What has gotten my creative juices flowing recently was learning more about web design. It's a totally different medium. I bought a book on it, (DHTML and CSS by Jason Cranford Teague) and now I am testing its limits. This book assumes you have basic html knowledge, and it focuses on controlling design.

Now that I am learning how to design in a new medium, I find that I am looking at more websites, and paying more attention to their design. Both how they are done, and how they present themselves. It has indirectly helped me to rekindle the creative spirit. I want to borrow some ideas here, and add some of my own there and try to create things I've never seen before.

So, perhaps you need to explore a new medium. Perhpas not web design (though I recommend it) It might be oil crayon, acrylic paint or screen printing. I've found that doing the same ol' same ol' in a different medium breathes new life into not only my proficient medium (I'm a print jockey too) but also into the new ventures.

Good Luck!

[G-mac]

I'm also a designer/graphic artist with no formal degree. I've had bouts of creative burnout, but try to avoid it by changing things up once in a while.

Getting into web design, as mentioned in the previous post, can be a great way to get some creative juices flowing. I've found that dabbling on the web is a great way to brainstorm and be wild without the hassle of the paintbrush or canvas. Have you ever tried working with a startup magazine or newsletter or with a local newspaper?

Perhaps you could make use of your previous work experiences. Maybe do military-related graphic design, design t-shirts for local charity races and events, or help local libraries and schools design murals, paintings, etc. Sometimes, doing all sorts of creative things for fun or for pay can open up new opportunities through new social connections, free advertising, and just motivation.

Here's a website that might be of interest to you as well.
http://www.creativemoonlighter.com/

Good luck with things and may you find your creativity again!

[godzookie2k]

On the flip side, about two years ago I had a burnout from web work and ended up flying the coop back to print for about a year or two. But now I'm back attackin' the mic to my interactive design first love.

nick

[ReggieX]

Mike-

Skillz beat a degree any day of the week. If you can show a portfolio of creative and varied work, that'll help more than anything.

I'm pretty much stuck in the middle of things right now, too: not enough design skill / experience to actually become a designer proper, not enough geek power to do the heavy-duty back-end Webby stuff. The market for Web production folks like myself pretty much dried up on the crash of 2000, and it's been slim pickings these days.

I don't know how your creative process works, but I find I'm at my best when given a specific project to do, rather than try to come up with something on my own. Hell, I haven't even touched the design of my web site in almost 2 years cuz I can't come up with anything better that I like

[andi*pandi]

sorry, but if you want agency work, a degree is a must. If it's between a degree candidate and you, all other things being equal, degree wins.

And then there's the quality (name) of the degree...

That said, if you have a stellar portfolio, you can bypass degree, but really have to prove your professionalism. You learn more in college then design sometimes, you also learn professional behavior and technique. (tho I wish I'd learned more about game face, sucking up, and minor revenge... LOL...)

If your portfolio doesn't have lots of original stuff in it now (designs you did from scratch, original artwork etc) then do volunteer work, or find someone who needs design badly and undersell yourself to get the opportunity. (charge less.)

burnout happens to us all, even when we're finally doing what we've wanted to since college..

Why am I not working on that big annual meeting brochure right now?!?!?!?

[MikeM32]

Thanks for the inspirational words all. Actually web design is something I've considerred getting into, at least to be able to say I can do it (I.E. even if I don't necessarily "love" doing it).

Originally posted by andi*pandi:
sorry, but if you want agency work, a degree is a must. If it's between a degree candidate and you, all other things being equal, degree wins.

And then there's the quality (name) of the degree...

Sad but true (although there must be exceptions, and I do know at least one person who has been successful without a degree). To contrast that, there's many people that go for that 4 yr degree and never make it either. It's like all that money for tuition for a "big name" degree and still no "results". For example; a guy I work with now went to New York City's "School of Visual Arts", and he's doing production.

But by implying that many businesses will take the big name degree carrying artist over the (possibly more talented) non-degree carrying artist, I have to agree with you. Again, it's sad but true.

That being said, I think I'll just approach it the same way I approached getting into production graphics and just go for it. Finishing my degree is definitely something I want to do down the road, but I can't let my not having that degree hold me back either.

I think after losing my last job (well I quit, but it's hard to explain) I'm a little less apt to just settle into production oriented graphics just because I'm good at it. At my last place I started out with the intention of just using it as a stepping stone, but got too comfortable there. Now I think I have more of a long-term plan instead of simply settling into "whatever" I can do that's only slightly graphics related.

Production is weird work, all these people with big degrees, and some without (some of both actually ARE good artists) and so many are just spinning thier wheels. At my last place of work there were a few people that obviously weren't artists at all (like they just picked "art" as thier career at "career day" in High School ), but a select few I just had to ask myself; "What the hell is he/she even doing here?"–"Why aren't these people persueing bigger and better things?"–"Why do they put up with this sh_t?" etc., etc.

Anyway I refuse to end-up like that.

Thanks again for the inspirational words all.

Mike

[registered_user]

Just to clarify on what andi said: If all things are equal the degree wins.

There's not a firm in the world (that'll last longer than a moment) that would hire a degree before they hired a portfolio.

[mitchell_pgh]

I would say that you should look for a government job or a job at a university. 2 years in the military I would say that you didn't do very well there, but I know a bunch of people that go the university track.

Do what you want to do!

You should also consider being a consultant...

[art_director]

mike --

you're getting some good advice and some bad advice here.

first, there are three things that matter if you want a job as an art director, designer or illustrator:

1. your book
2. your book
3. your book

a degree, while a definite positive, is NOT required. a clear and well-defined direction is required.

your first step should be to decide between design and illustration. present a book an agency with both and you'll look unfocused.

next you should work morning, noon and night to get your book polished. i understand you want to have a life but consider this an down payment on your future.

another thing you should do is start studying the books -- advertising and design books, that is. consider communication arts, the one show, archive, the brittish d&ad, graphis, print, etc. to be required reading. if you want to compete in that arena. you need to know what's happening and who's doing it.

once you understand what's happening and who the players are you should start doing informational interviews and showing your book. since you live so close to new york you have a fountain of opportunity at your doorstep. use it.

for creative spark you could try a lot of different things. but, since you're trying to make a career change, i would make the spark come from what you want to do. get yourself a project as some have mentioned here. make it a local deli, a church, a soup kitchen, etc. and do some ads or a logo for them. DON'T do it for free. maybe do it in trade. but do it and make yourself finish the project. then repeat this step.

in time you'll have a healthy body of work and hopefully a job...best of luck.

[MikeM32]

Thanks again for all the great advice everyone.

Originally posted by art_director:
first, there are three things that matter if you want a job as an art director, designer or illustrator:

1. your book
2. your book
3. your book

I'm not certain what you "mean" by "your book". Do you mean that in the literal sense of getting published (I.E. like doing a book)? Or is there some other hidden meaning there?

Thanks

Mike

[SunSeeker]

I'm not certain what you "mean" by "your book". Do you mean that in the literal sense of getting published (I.E. like doing a book)? Or is there some other hidden meaning there?

Thanks

Mike

Book is a common industry term for your portfolio, which should be immaculately presented and, ideally, should be carefully tailored to suit each position &/or employer (Try and imagine what the employer wants to see).

Ideally it should contain print examples of your work unless you are only working in on screen areas (ie. It may be cool to show your web site on a laptop, but if an agency gets as far as meeting with you they would possibly have looked at that already and it would be better to use it as a supplement to your portfolio or you will risk being dismissed as a timewaster.


In answer to the topic.
I don't believe in creative burnout, it's just a little rust.
The oil of creativity is creativity.
Watch music videos, tv and movie credits, browse the web read books, magazines and newspapers. Make Notes of things that intrigue.
Copy designs that interest you and try to deconstruct them or develop them further. Write down ideas that you have on the way and develop those notes into your own unique work.

Print skills will provide you with a strong foundation because you will just be using your existing tools for a different task

[art_director]

sorry, when someone says "book" in advertising and design they mean your portfolio.

what exactly do you want to do when you make your career change? i can give you better advice if i know that. i can also suggest some agencies or design shops you might want to contact in new york.

[art_director]

mike -- sunseeker is right on every count.

i would add that you live near the BEST city in the world for creative inspiration. you just need to allow yourself to take it in.

try going into manhattan and walking through soho, the village, alphabet city, etc. there you will see raw, gritty design. some will be directly related to your pursuits and some will not. just take in what the street has to offer. then try the galleris and museums. the design museum on central park is a great one.

when i lived in new york i loved collecting the postcards advertising clubs and djs. you know, the ones you find in small stores like otto tootsie plohound in soho. they're always so bad but oh, so good. the design is never refined but they can be comical and they can have a new take on typography. i love them and i still have every one.