10 Things I LOVE About Being A Designer

I figured that yesterday's post was a little too depressing. I didn't want ya'll to think that graphic design is a bad job to have.

It isn't. It's just one of those jobs that people don't see as a job. You would be surprised at how many people are taken back when I say I went to school to be a designer.

But in light of the fact that I am accomplishing my childhood dream of being a (monetize able) artist today, I thought I would give you some things that I personally LOVE about being a designer, and why I think it is the best job in the world. I am going to TRY and keep it to ten, because I think of new things I love every day, and this list could get long.

1) I get to make artwork. Every single day.

 

2) I get to hear "OMG. I love it!" when I finish a job.

3) Time goes by fast when you are doing something you enjoy doing.

4) I get to see my work on the side of trucks, on the side of buildings, on t-shirts.... (kinda vain, but it's still pretty cool.)

 

 

 

5) I get to solve problems in creative ways.

 

6)  People think I can do anything with a design. I see it as a challenge. A lot at my old job I would say, "I've never done it before, but I can certainly try!"

 

7) I get to learn something new almost every day.

 

8) There is a world of inspiration out there on the internet. Some days I feel like there are so many others out there better than me, but there always will be. But I can learn from them. And maybe, someday, somehow, someone will learn from me.

9) I get to communicate in non-verbal ways. Design is communication. I am not always good at the whole small talk thing. I don't make friends easily. But I can get my message across in design.

10) My job is also my hobby. I like to come home and talk about design here.  I like to play on Illustrator in my spare time. I get to love what I do, and still separate work from play. That's pretty awesome.

I hope this list doesn't make you too jealous. :P

But really,  I'm sure any profession you love will have a list like this. You just have to see the good parts. 

I am very glad to be graduating today. I have many people to thank for getting me here. More on that later. 

But now, now we celebrate!

 

Congrats to all the graduates from COS and other colleges! 

Graphic Design Pet Peeves

In honor of my impending graduation, I figured I should enlighten you all about the joys of being a graphic designer. I love being a designer. I really do. But like any other job, certain things get really annoying.

 

*Disclaimer: I don't mean this to be offensive. I don't care if you like Comic Sans. Personal preference. This is just from my experience in the four-ish years I've been doing this, professionally and in school.

 

 

 

 

Using periods in phone numbers instead of dashes.
Not using the oxford comma.
Photoshop Error: "Not enough ram".
Linked files with no source file to be found.
Papyrus / Comic Sans.

Lens flares.
Not outlining your freaking fonts.
Flat black. (100% K. Read more on this post.)

Designers that rasterize their PDFs before sending them to me.

Things not lining up with things.

Widows and orphans.

(Lines.

Like.

This.)

Looking through so many fonts that words look like random letters put together. Seriously. Stare at the word together for a while.

"Make it POP!"

Almost having a heart attack when Illustrator is saving and I haven't saved in like 3 HOURS and it says "NOT RESPONDING". And then it saves and I'm like OMG. GIVE ME OXYGEN.

Corel Draw. I hate you. Please go away. 

Working on a design and forgetting to do things like use the restroom, eat, breathe...

"Can you teach me to be a designer?" "Can you teach me Illustrator?" No. 

Logos that have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the company.

Clients that don't know what they want. But know what they don't want when they see it.

Having people watch my screen over my shoulder.

 

 

As you can tell... I could go on and on.

I love being a graphic designer, don't get me wrong, but sometimes things are just irritating.

Do you have pet peeves with your job?