From Reflections. Rewards. Regrets. ~ Topics: mentoring, personal essay

Introduction: The Elephant in the (Class)room

by Petrula VrontikisOctober 03, 2008

I’ve been teaching graphic design for many years now. Sure, we talk about messaging, composition and process—but there’s a question that looms heavy. Surprisingly, it’s rarely asked: Will graphic design be a satisfying career?

What can I say to those who ask? There’s a glass half full response and a glass half empty response.

When the glass is half full, I see that most of us really love what we do. We become fast learners and are quite resilient. Our field changes frequently, especially in terms of technology. We keep up because we fear that our work will become stale or our skills outdated. Our civilian (non-designer) friends think we have it made: we get to be creative for a living.

Our civilian friends don’t realize that the tough part is being creative for a living. Creativity doesn’t always happen on demand. When the glass is half empty, I see that many of us are tormented by procrastination and resent the “business” part of our creativity. We question everything and are rarely sure that we are doing our best work.

Most graphic designers create artifacts for a living. When we reflect back, we see a trail of books, catalogues, brochures, posters and logos. Is that all that represents our endless hours of toil? Has graphic design been our life?

Some of us just crave recognition—validation that what we have done is important. We designers reward each other with more artifacts: certificates, books, plaques and Lucite circles, squares and triangles. Again, is that all that represents our endless hours of toil?

The answer is varied; and the experience, like design itself, can’t be limited to one perspective. I decided to ask a few colleagues to share their thoughts about their careers so far. Their contributions are compiled in this series titled: Reflections. Rewards. Regrets.

Hopefully their experiences can shed some light on what one can expect of a graphic design career. They can help us recognize what’s rewarding and reveal what they might change if they could.

Let us know what you think. 


About the Author: Petrula Vrontikis is a designer, author and educator, based in Los Angeles, California. She is creative director and owner of Vrontikis Design Office. Since 1989, she has taught senior graphic design studies at Art Center College of Design. In 2007, she received the AIGA Los Angeles Fellows Award honoring her as an essential voice raising the understanding of design within the industry and among the business and cultural communities.

  1. link to this comment by Colt Pini Sat Oct 11, 2008

    I am a graphic design student and have had that question loom on my mind. The thought of a career built on making other peoples stuff look good so they can sell more stuff and make money isn't something that I like seeing myself doing. I need something that is rewarding. I need to feel like I have somehow made a difference. like it is for something other than just for money.

  2. link to this comment by Stephanie Croff Mon Oct 13, 2008

    When I was a student, I felt a lot like Colt; unhappy with the prospect of working for "the man", helping other companies succeed with aid of my efforts. As I weaved my way through various offices and landed in my own studio, I am very happy with the variety of family-owned businesses and community organizations that I get to work with. Making lasting structures for a botanic garden or bookmarks for a family's store, enables me to get in touch with my community and help other people succeed. Their business helps my business, and everybody wins. I must say the discipline it takes to "sit down and make something" when I'd rather go to the beach is well worth the reward I get from a job well-done, which enables me to go to beaches much further away.

  3. link to this comment by John Moorehead Tue Oct 14, 2008

    I wonder if people in other careers spend this much time toiling over the idea that the work they do must be revolutionary and inspirational all the time.

    I know anyone involved in design is sensitive to the world around them; I believe that is a necessity. An adverse affect of that sensitivity is this constant "what does it all mean" worry we share. I appreciate anyone who is trying to be a great designer. However, as Stephanie says, family-owned business and community organizations need you and will be great people to work with that really need your help.

    I think the rewards of design are often experienced years later through pursuing creative communications for your clients and they way it motives them to connect their service with the community. Let's worry about our clients and their future our own inward reflection at a healthy level.

  4. link to this comment by Eric Torres Wed Oct 15, 2008

    Thanks Petrula for taking the time to write on a very important topic. You raise a question I asked myself 10 years ago when I started my career as a designer.

    While I believe we can find much satisfaction working on commercial projects for clients, a whole new world of opportunity awaits creatives who can make time to work on personal projects.

    Remember too that success takes time. I agree with John's comment, the greatest rewards take time to realize. Hardwork = luck.

    In the end, focus on your creative vision away from your normal job. This can become the most satisfying part of your professional legacy.

  5. link to this comment by Greg Asmus Wed Oct 15, 2008

    At the end of the day, week, month and probably life we can look back and realize we have been a constant student. Our skills ever-changing from minute to minute, our ideas being torn down and rebuilt in an instant; and torn down again before the sun sets.

    Time spent as the swell before the tsunami, I would not trade it for anything. Petrula, teach this to your students, ask them to look back at history then look to the future and not ask if graphic design will be a satisfying career, but a satisfying life. Ask them if they can live without appling that creativity to every avenue of their lives.

  6. link to this comment by Nikash SINGH Fri Oct 17, 2008

    Wow.

    "Ask them if they can live without applying that creativity to every avenue of their lives."

    I'm also a student and had this on my mind, though I've never actually looked at it from this angle. The answer to this question certainly helps eliminate a great deal of doubt, for me at least.

    Thank you. =)

  7. link to this comment by Mina c Fri Oct 17, 2008

    I love my job until someone who is a "non-designer" tells me what to do, and I have to either compromise or sacrifice quality and/or concept.

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