Turning My Life Into My Biggest Project Instead of the Other Way Around
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Art Director’s Club in New York on May 4th for their annual portfolio review along with other students graduating from Art & Design schools all over the country. I have to admit, I enjoyed talking to the other students more than pitching my work to the various Art Directors, Talent Scouts, and Head Hunters who attended the event. There is a great sense of community among these people and many shared ideas and philosophies.
I have timed this post to be published precisely at the moment I walk across the stage at the Baltimore Symphony Hall to receive my Bachelors in Fine Arts in Graphic Design from The Maryland Institute College of Art. I have come a long, long way since high school, and I can honestly say that I dedicated myself wholly to my work and studies at MICA. So much so, that looking back I wonder if I was too narrow focused. At any given moment over the past four years, my work was at the forefront of my mind, almost exclusively; I was truly and happily immersed. Things like eating, sleeping, romance, and relaxation were distractors — speed-bumps in my productivity. While this might have been alright for my student years, it is not how I hope to live my life.
So on this, my graduation day, I am hoping to turn my life into my biggest project, instead of the other way around.
I have no aspirations to move to New York or Chicago and work for some big shiny design studio, no dreams of becoming a “Young Gun” in the next seven years, and no desire to swim in big piles of money. I want to surround myself with people I love who inspire and challenge me, do fulfilling, wholesome work in my local community and beyond, and live a balanced life wherein I stare at a computer screen for less than eight hours a day.
To everyone out there graduating this spring, from Art School or otherwise, congratulations. Do what you love and don’t let it consume you.
Monday, May 16, 2011
1 Comment
Hey Andy, These are fantastic thoughts.
I found you through the ADC website profiles. I somehow got placed in the advertising section the day before… :*( Shame I missed ya. I have similar reflections on the Portfolio review process…
But everything you’ve said is spot on and it’s so glad to hear. Meeting designers who want to do meaningful work and enrich their lives through design and living life is super refreshing. It’s much harder to find that here in New York.
Congratulations on the big day; I walk early next week. If you ever want to collaborate with another fellow designer on some uplifting projects, keep me in mind! Catch ya around.
- Ryan