I’ve done this over and over again. I look at designers, studios or agencies that I admire and wonder “how do they get this cool gigs?” or “why can’t I get great gigs like that?” We all suffer from designer envy. It’s that little green (or PMS 15-0343 2017’s Color of the year) monster inside of us that makes us question ourselves.
Something that I’ve been telling myself lately is a phrase that I read on Instagram posted by Sophia Amorusa of Nasty Gal that reads, “Don’t compare your behind-the-scenes with someone else’s highlight reel.” Jessica Walsh of Sagmeister & Walsh, David Droga of Droga5, Pentagram, Louise Fili, Steven Heller, Jessica Helfand, and the list goes on and on. Design greats who I admire and who have accomplished a lot.
None of them are overnight successes. They worked hard to get where they are. Is there a chance they had some opportunities or help that I didn’t? Yes. In the end we take our own paths and build our own careers. no two design careers are a like.
What I’ve learned is everyone can make the best of their careers and do great things whether they are in New York City, Portland, Oregon or Miami, Florida. There is no such thing as a small client, only small thinking. Do what you do. Do your best. Make a difference.
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