Where do artists fit in?

[sketchygirl]

Going through a rough patch right now. I thought that by the time I hit 27 I'd be more clear on where I want to be and what I want to do. I know it is cliche´ but I'm an artist, through and through. Sensitive, awkward around people. I've tried to work professionally as a graphic designer but I can't form the relationships and "play the game" - I'm terrible at being fake...so clearly the advertising industry was really wrong for me.

I feel like I'm at this crossroads where my "professional" skills and what I really want to do don't mesh. Sure, I CAN make a bud light billboard, but do I want to? No.

I know the qualities of a career I would enjoy, but I'm not sure what that is. I want to be ethical, creative, help others feel better about themselves and express themselves creatively. I am good at thinking on the spot...and even though I'm initially introverted, once I am confident in my abilities I can really shine and come up with great ideas. I want to avoid selling people crap they don't need/want and promote positivity rather than tearing people down. I wouldn't mind using my design, drawing, painting, conceptualizing skills...as long as it wasn't for evil. haha

What career could encompass those good vibes where I could actually maintain a sustainable living? I don't even need all that much to live a modest life. I'd be happy with what I was making before, which was about 40k.

[cylon]

If artists truly fit in, we wouldn't be artists anymore.

We're artists because we see things others don't, and we react in ways that others don't. And while that makes us VERY GOOD at creating things, and leaving behind a body of work, it also means we aren't as able to relax in normal, ordinary, "ho hum" situations without thinking something major or important needs to be happening instead.

Graphic Design and the advertising industry are not the same thing. Don't confuse the two because they are very different careers that just so happen to be often intertwined with each other.

Advertising is marketing. Graphic design is using words and images together to tell a story. Sometimes that story will be an advertisement. Sometimes it will be an informative magazine article. Sometimes a logo, or a book cover, or a website, or a newsletter, or a poster, or.... don't confuse the message with the medium.

You don't have to work for an advertising agency in order to be a graphic designer, is what I'm saying. Graphic design is the route I took as well when I was first starting out, I was spending most of my time writing music but at that time didn't feel it was a viable way to make a living, so I started going to design school, and over time became a very good designer with lots of creative freedom in my projects. Just be sure that you don't settle for comfortable, which is what I did. I got comfortable with my freedom and independence and seniority (at the job) and then one day didn't have those things any more.

But it is EXACTLY where artistic people go who don't know where they fit in because it is one of the few creative outlets that is marketable, practical, and serves a real purpose for the wider business world. Every business, product, cause, or organized system needs some sort of visual presence and that's where graphic design comes in.

Sounds to me like you are afraid of "going corporate" or "selling out", and that can only happen to you if you let it. If you are very good at what you do, YOU get to pick the projects and companies you work for, industries you care about, people you like.

Good luck!

[elucidate]

How about Art therapy?

I see an art therapist, and am considering studying to become one (though technically I could already if I wanted to, just not "legitimately"...for insurance purposes it might be best if I did do the course though. I'm in a similar place to you at the moment...actually I've been there for a few years now, but things are getting clearer.

It is a relaxing way to help others deal with their issues through painting and craft...and the money is pretty good too.

[Angelique]

Is all advertising evil?

Who are the ethical and creative people you would love to work for?

What setting makes you feel more inspired to be creative?

[richardxthripp]

The thing is, there are too many artists and not enough factory workers. If you want to make my life better, give me material possessions I can use; not more creative pictures.

[dreamjobdragon]

Two links for you to watch and be inspired by:

1) An artist who does it her way... http://www.ted.com/talks/marian_bant...by_design.html

2) An artist who challenges the "challenge" of being an artist...
Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity | Video on TED.com

[ellie]

I was where you were quite up until recently (last year or two).

I used to call my self a graphic designer and I was one, but the title didn't suit me because I hate people controlling my art. I guess I associate my title more with artist, because I feel like artists are free spirits, they like doing their own thing. They reach their true potential by being free to explore their art in their own way.

I've worked in advertising agencies in the graphic design department and hated it. Mainly because of all the bull-****, but really that goes for any workplace. I just don't suit working for other people...full stop.

So what can you do? Embrace who you are, and start thinking of creative ways to work for yourself and get money in the door. I wasted so much time trying to conform and work with others. My creativity soars now on my own.

[zeitgeist]

Dear Sketchygirl, please read Daniel Pink's A While New Mind - Why Right Brainers will Rule the World. It makes the point that we are moving in a creative society and the artists have the craft of the future. So be happy and enjoy expressing your creativity while making millions. The only think you still may have to work on is the human connection with everyone - believe me it can be done, and if done correctly it will be honest, a source of energy and worth your while.

All the best,

Zeitgeist

[elucidate]

Originally Posted by richardxthripp

The thing is, there are too many artists and not enough factory workers. If you want to make my life better, give me material possessions I can use; not more creative pictures.

Is this subtle sarcasm?
I don't think the OP is really interested in making your life better. This whole thread is about how to make her life more fulfilling doing what she loves. It's not really about you.

[StevenHandel]

Everyone is an artist. Maybe find unconventional ways to apply your creativity.

[GhostGoat]

I've been a professional commercial artist for 30 years. I've never been one to fit into the corporate world, so I've never worked for an ad agency. I'm an art director for a screen-printing t-shirt company (actually I'm a one man art dept.). I used to do a lot freelance animation and comics work in the evenings, but I burnt out on too much extra work.

Not every company is as informal as the one I work for, but I basically set my own hours and I bring my dog to work with me. Sometimes its very high pressure, there are deadlines constantly, but in general its a pretty laid back atmosphere.

One thing I like about this job is that I handle many different types of projects. Some I create from scratch, some I simply tweak files and print films from client-supplied art. I do a lot of graphic design and sometimes I get to draw cartoons. Every few years I'll even get called on to do some sort of painting. Its not always fun, and there aren't as many creative challenges as I'd like, but every once in a while a project will come along that I really get into.

If art is something that you truly love to do, keep doing it. Maybe fine art would suit you better than commercial art, or teaching might be more up your alley. You may not make any money for awhile, but stick with it and the rewards will find you. Good luck.

P.S. Great post Cylon, I agree with everything you said.

[joelr]

That's a tough spot to be in. There are artists out there, thousands of them, working minimum wage jobs and manual labor just to survive.

I used to work at Daddys Music where in my opinion they take advantage of musicians by paying minimum wage@ 40 hrs week with an really crummy comission rate (I made about $4 out of the ~$1000 I sold) and if I remember correctly there is no punch-in clock so when you stay late to clean up it's off the clock.
I quit after my 1st paycheck and my boss was surprised, "you'll get better at selling things" he said.
I had to give him a reality check - meanwhile my paycheck would cover about 95% of my rent with $0 for other expenses besides the fact I'm never cleaning a store for free again.
But it's an in demand place to work for musicians.

Anyway, it can be tricky finding ways to make a living at an art. One thing I had to settle for for a lot of years was teaching.

[sketchygirl]

Thanks zeitgeist I will check out A Whole New Mind - I recently bought "An Artist in the Office" - sounds like a good read.

I appreciate all the comments. I knew I wasn't alone in this. I guess it is just tough figure out your niche.

In the mean time I think I'm going to forget about office jobs for a while. I sort of feel like I've failed that aspect of human interaction...but to pay my bills I'm applying at some art supply stores. I think a "cool" part time job to cover expenses and plenty of free time might get me inspired again.

[GhostGoat]

I worked in an art supply store for a few months a long time ago, and it was a lot of fun. The pay wasn't great, but the discount on art supplies sure was nice. I did a bunch of hand-lettered signs for the store, and pretty soon customers were paying me to do signs for them too, and that kept me pretty busy. Good luck!