What is purpose (maybe)?

I recently read an article from AIGA entitled "What is Success?" by Helen Lupton (the link is on the right). I don't know if that title really describes where the article went and instead I found it had more to do with purpose rather than success.

However, I guess I never put into words what makes a designer successful because I've never really analyzed it. I know what makes me upset about design and what gets me excited. For the most part, I can determine what is bad design and what is good design. But that doesn't determine success.

I guess it comes down to your gut. Your heart actually. That's most likely where you'll find your focus. So what is it that drives your focus in design? For some, it may be the amount of money they gain through their career. For another, it may be the job position they hold. Yet for others, and I hope most, it is about their work and the level they achieve. Though she seems to cover many ideas in this article, Lupton seemed to briefly describe what I would define as successful.

That is, the impact design has on the world.

After all...we are engaging the world visually. Through graphic design, there is an opportunity to tap into a person's mind. To influence what clothes they buy, where they'll eat dinner on Friday, and even what bank to join.

But is that success? To influence 2,000 people to buy an ipod? or a new ceiling fan? or 2 packs of Pepsi for the cost of one? Does that sort of an impact determine the success of a graphic designer or the success of their boss' pocket?

If you read the article, Lupton isn't talking about that kind of success. We all desire for our work to be seen and even to witness the influence it has on consumers, but of course that's only part of it. She makes a good statement when she says:

"One way to think about success is asking whether your work gets seen or used, and if so, whether using it enhances people’s lives."

Ahhh....enhancing lives. That's better than just impacting. It's a positive influence. Wow. Can you imagine if you could influence those 2,000 people to drive hybrid cars? or to invest in a cool, modern office chair that helps back pain? or just to make smarter choices when it comes to eating...just by one ad. I say that would enhance a lot. It might even enhance your own life.

But of course, that's not everyone's version of success. I will end this entry with the same closing thought Lupton ends her article with. One that might spin off into another blog for me.

"Success is more than going to work every day and getting paid. Success means finding personal satisfaction in your work and loving what you do. And it means engaging with a social world: a world of clients and employers, but also of readers, users and other designers. It is those things that make us rich."

needing one more outlet

Just what I need...another blog. Sure it's one more thing to update and keep track of, but this one is different than the others. See, I've decided to categorize my blogs by topics. I have one for staying connected to a variety of friends. I have another to share my personal beliefs and opinions. Yet I couldn't help but feel I needed another blog to express a part of my life that is a passion (and my career).

Graphic Design.

So, this blog isn't an update of my daily life, but a combination of inspiration, ideas, aspirations and even frustrations associated with design.

Although, this will be an outlet for me, I hope it would also be a place to dialogue with other like-minded designers...

and hopefully, spur inspiration (for both me and you).