(or How to be an Amazing [insert profession here]):
1.
Don’t worry about marks while you are in school. No one will ever ask
you what school you went to or what your marks were when you leave it.
(this pertains to the field of illustration).
2.
You are always working for yourself, even when you work for others.
Sometimes it feels like you are just the hired hand (and some clients
can be really challenging to work with). But there is always some way to
turn an illustration job into something exciting for you. Some ideas:
experiment with a new technique (or a new color palette), use it as an
opportunity to learn about a new topic, rebel against the job in tiny
ways (do some roughs just for yourself in which you insert subversive
material).
3. There are no actual rules for how to become a successful [insert profession here]. Make your own path.
4. It will help you to create a social network of other self-employed people.
5.
Move your body every day. There are many health reasons for this, but
it also helps you to work on ideas subconsciously. Ideas and solutions
will come in when you least expect them but (almost always after a
minimum of one hour of walking). There are new studies that suggest
increased oxygen to the brain is a greater source for creativity than
“creative brain exercises”. I have found this to be true for myself.
6. Goof off on a regular basis.
7.
If you want to work on your art, work on your life. All those
personality traits that aren’t working for you will come back to haunt
you in your career (i.e. assertiveness, fear of conflict, fear of
confrontation.) It’s all connected.
8.
What you think becomes your reality. I always had a belief that if I
cleaned out my recycling bin in my studio I would get new work. And
guess what, it always happened. If you think the industry is screwed and
there is no work to be had, guess what you will find out there?
9.
Focus on ideas instead of tools (technology). Anyone can learn to use
the tools, but it is the thinkers who really impact the culture in
important ways. In the end the tools don’t offer anything interesting.
10.
Worrying about the competition does very little to help your career. I
know it’s hard sometimes to ignore what other people are doing (we all
think that others are doing better than us), but every one of us is on a
different life path. We are all here to accomplish different things and
even though it would seem like one person’s path is similar to yours,
it is not.
11.
Only work for free if you are passionate about the cause or receive
something of value in return. (Be wary of people who offer your name in
lights in lieu of money. Many people will tell you something is good
promotion for you, often it is not and there are no guarantees when it
comes to promotional value). If you are not getting something of a
measurable value (i.e. printed pieces, or money) ask for something else,
creative freedom. If they refuse then they may not be a good client to
work for anyway.
12.
Take some small risks on a regular basis. Some ideas: write some
places/companies you would really like to work and let them know why you
think they are great.
13.
Don’t worry about whether or not you are good (good is subjective and
most people are not great judges of their own work), just keep making
work.
14. Ignore cool. Successful people do not try to be hip, they just do work that excites them.
15.
Always come back to work that excites you. Even if you get off track
for a while. Do personal work on a regular basis, show it to others. You
can reinvent yourself at any time.
