[Hidden-tech] Graphic design contest for a card deck

Thu Sep 26 19:43:54 UTC 2019

Deb,

Thanks so much for sharing that with me. I'm well aware of how things USED
to be. I'm not sure HOW I knew, but I knew. There could've been a designer
that worked with my father, for example, so that could be one way of how I
knew. I may have also done research. It still amazes me, none the less, the
amount of work done by hand. I craft, though it's not as painstaking as
graphic design "back in the day", but I can appreciate the amount of work
done by hand at that time. I actually participated in a summer art program
at Mass College of Art back in '94, and was initially my school of choice,
until I realized they didn't teach animation, so I sought education
elsewhere. With the help of my wonderful, extremely supportive father, he
suggested I take my prerequisites at a 2 year, to save money. Life took
turns and I fell off the path at some point... neither here, nor there, but
it did put me "behind" so to speak, from everyone else my age who may have
already started their careers. But like my mother said, there's a reason
for everything. So, she may be right. I don't necessarily regret my choice
in major and minor (3D animation/graphic design), but I started to after
many failed attempts at securing a foot in the door ANYWHERE. I was willing
to do any grunt work, even if it wasn't related to my field of choice. I
fell back on graphic design after realizing I wasn't "good enough" to get
into gaming (so many industries I've changed to want to work in: film,
television, gaming was the final). Even then, it was difficult, but I still
tried to participate in anything I could, even setting out my own "side
business". Honestly, if it weren't for my father (I ended up working for
him as a junior service technician, but he made certain if anyone in that
company needed any graphic work done, to seek me out) and my
brother-in-law, I'd likely have even less to show on my portfolio, and even
less experience. In May of this year, literally the day before my birthday,
I FINALLY secured a position with a Fortune 500 company that is in the
restaurant business. I may not be doing exactly what I wanted, or set out
to, but the way I see it is at least it's a foot in the door and who knows,
things could change. I still hope for a position in 3D, but since I
couldn't get a foot in the door, or even anything for my side business, I
became discouraged and lacked the motivation to work on any projects to add
to my demo reel/portfolio. Such is life, but I am eternally grateful for
what I have now. Crazy how things change, though.

On a side note, since you mentioned computers essentially made many lives
"easier", I do wonder if that's what non-designers assume - that it's easy
to design. I've designed more logos than anything and I still struggle to
"see" what a client may be envisioning, and it can be frustrating when they
don't listen to your insight in design (color choices, shapes, etc). Don't
I wish it were so simple. If that was the case, everyone would do it...
most are, and it shows. I don't mean that to be insulting, but you get what
I mean. :o)

Young Dinosaur Denise :o)

On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 3:18 PM Deborah Chandler <debchandler411 at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Denise,
>
> There was a time, pre-computer, when us designers had to do everything
> manually and it held more value, because not every Tom, Dick and Happy had
> the tools to create it, let alone the talent. We used T-squares (or
> parallel rules), triangles, mechanical board, X-Acto knives, galleys of
> typesetting sent out to a service bureau, we did our own color separations,
> used acetate or Rubylith overlays, registration marks, or glued it all down
> with rubber cement or wax. Created our own black and white images in the
> "stat room" (breathed in some nasty chemicals, too)
>
> Now, with personal computers a dime a dozen, *anyone* can create what is
> called "graphic design". But that does not mean they have our in-depth
> education and years of experience. I have a Bachelors in Graphic Design
> from Mass College of Art from 1983, the year right before the advent of Mac
> computers. I'm getting all nostalgic...
>
> Those bicycle messengers in Boston were so kickass, dodging and weaving
> through traffic with no helmets, to get a big rush job back to us on the
> waterfront from the service bureau in Southie before they closed. We didn't
> have fax machines back then. Crazy how much has changed. We had to really
> think and plan our design executions. Mistakes cost us money. Now, it's
> just a Command Z.
>
> Dinosaur Designer Deb
>
> On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 2:33 PM Denise Batalha via Hidden-discuss <
> hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
>
>> Kris,
>>
>> I've always likened the idea of these skills being too easy to be paid
>> their worth as being seen as simple as coloring. What I don't get is if
>> they clearly see these skills as so simplified it requires little to no
>> pay, why don't they just do it themselves? I am, by no means, implying that
>> is the case here. Good/great designers cost money, and I completely
>> understand the overwhelming weight of the costs any organization, or
>> individual lacking the funds, can be.
>>
>> Denise
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 2:05 PM kris badertscher via Hidden-discuss <
>> hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
>>
>>> As a media and communications/graphic designer, I found this *contest*
>>> to be incredibly disrespectful to the ever-expanding community of pioneer
>>> valley creatives who so often have to go against their better judgement and
>>> take work either pro bono (hoping that it leads to paid a gig), for barter,
>>> or for slave-wage labor just in order to pay a bill.
>>>
>>> This cultivated western Massachusetts mentality of bargaining for free
>>> or underpaid labor predominates in this region where creative workers are
>>> consistently being taken advantage of because so few opportunities present
>>> themselves.
>>>
>>> Whether it's photography, video, graphic design, or another skilled
>>> creative endeavor, other professionals in the Valley seem to think that
>>> these skills require nothing more than just a press of a button. Or maybe
>>> they do know and understand that having a subscription to Adobe or
>>> Microsoft products or other applications, plus equipment and training in
>>> order to make their designs for clients are outrageously expensive and they
>>> don't care. Because right, there's always the bounty of students to hire
>>> willing to put up with unpaid labor early in their careers.
>>>
>>> This mindset hurts all of us. We all then have to accept underpaid labor
>>> as an exploited community in order to survive, never mind *thrive*.
>>> What results is that no one outside the creative community gets a sense of
>>> what a project *actually* costs which repeats this unethical cycle.
>>>
>>> Living in the age of wanting something for (nearly) nothing is doing
>>> everyone a disservice and my recommendation is to first research the market
>>> and know how much a particular job costs. And please consider the cost- not
>>> just of what you are offering in exchange for labor or products, but the
>>> cost to all of us who live with the consequences of that mindset.
>>>
>>> Cheers, Kris
>>>
>>> sustainabilitydesigner.com
>>>
>>> On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 12:36 PM Rich at OTN via Hidden-discuss <
>>> hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> You do realize that that amounts for barely 4 hours of a reasonable
>>>> wage for a graphic artist
>>>> and that only goes to the winner -- really doesn't sound in line with
>>>> your company name.
>>>>
>>>> I'd hope to see something more, maybe at least a percent of sales
>>>> OR just hire an artist.
>>>>
>>>> Think about it.
>>>> On 9/20/2019 6:37 AM, Jessica Gifford via Hidden-discuss wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi All,
>>>>
>>>> I'm running a design contest for the back and box of a customized deck
>>>> of *Connection Cards*, which are used in a program that helps
>>>> participants get to know new people, build social connections, and develop
>>>> friendships. Each card has a question that participants answer as part of
>>>> the program. There will be a $150 prize for the winning design. You
>>>> may email jessica at growingwellness.life for entry guidelines. Please
>>>> pass along to anyone who may be interested.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>> Jessica
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jessica Gifford, LICSW
>>>> www.growingwellness.life
>>>> 413-548-4688
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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