Stan’s TOP 25 Mantras for surviving as an artist/designer (aka things I’ve learned during my long career as an artist and creative citizen of the world.
1. Strive to do the kind of work you will want to be remembered for creating.
2. Don’t follow the crowd. Instead let the crowds follow you.
If you find yourself following trends you’ll eventually become disillusioned in your work and suddenly you start doubting your own talents. Sometimes you loose your on creative voice and finding it again can be very difficult.
3. Don’t let anyone (client, employer, colleague) bully or try to intimidate you while you are on the job. Most people who want to tell you how to live your life, do your work, what to think and what to wear and how to act and it is usually the ones who need the most help. Pick your course and follow while also allowing yourself to be open to new directions of your choosing. Build bridges as you go. People remember you as intern or freelancer or fulltime employer. The Graphic Design Family is still a relatively small one.
4. Never apologize for what you like and never, ever apologize for your work. Your work will change and evolve and so will you. Our work is our history and it will date itself or remain classic.
5. Know your work habits. Know your strengths and weaknesses and be able to talk about them with confidence. Life is about making the necessary changes as you go. Remember: “Everything in its own time.”
6. Try not to react but to Act. This will save you tons of trouble and drama in your life.
7. Learn to step up to the plate at times whether it be to volunteer or to speak out loud in a large group so your voice can be heard. Don’t always fly under the radar. Speak up and have an opinion.
8. People who complain are usually the ones who are waiting for others to make decisions for them. “Those that can, do. Those that can’t, tell others how to do it.”
9. Stay away from naysayers and whiners. They are pure poison and will sap your energy.
10. Pay attention and listen to your “inner voice.” It is actually your soul talking to you.
11. Be a good leader while also becoming a better team player. (Listener as well as talker.)
12. Don’t be afraid of competition. It’s healthy as long as you are secure in your own talents.
12. Know your self-worth in any situation. Be proud. Be strong and yet try to remain humble to the needs of others around you. Kindness is not a weakness no matter who tells you the otherwise.
13. Find someone you truly admire and learn from watching them. Get to know them and allow them to know you.
14. Don’t burn your bridges. The people you are in class now with just might give you’re a job later own or vice versa. Understand and respect the strengths and weaknesses of others. It’s the same in jobs. Do not think for a minute that the people you work with in any environment will not remember you and your creativity (and personal habits.) It can be a double-edged sword. Be careful. Be wise. Be considerate.
15. Schmoozing (Networking) is different from bullsh*t. Understand the differences between the two and take the path less traveled. Don’t confuse either of these with being “charming.”
16. Old habits are just that. Discover new ones. Like Ted Turner said “ Lead, Follow or Get out of the way.” Lead an authentic life. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin.
17. Consistently recreate yourself or you will die a slow boring creative death. Nothing is worse than
mediocrity. If you can’t do Great work then at least strive for Bad work. Both are committed. Mediocrity is the black hole of all existence as an artist.
18. Remember that “change” is just that, change. It is neither good nor bad. It is only change.
Don’t be afraid of it. Learn to embrace it and it will remove the negative stigma usually associated
with it.
19. Being “happy” in a job or career is actually not always about the money. Experience is priceless and the people you get to work around give me more joy than any paycheck. People usually hire you to make themselves look good. Remember that when you are offered a job as they are giving you a chance to learn from the best while also giving them some bragging rights for their staff.
20. Beware of “Crazy makers.” There is usually one in every group. These are people who find their greatest joys in making others miserable. Beware of these individuals because they will certainly try to steal your sole and your talent.
21. When you arrive into a new situation, don’t be an immediate know-it-all. Listen first and then speak. Others will certainly listen when you speak if you are economical with your opinions. “When you’re new, be new.”
22. Moderation. No group has “entitlement” over another. Learn to work hard for what you get because there is great enlightenment that comes from doing the work you love because you love and not because something that is ego driven.
23. Creativity is not linear. Neither is happiness. You must work at both equally hard.
Longevity in a job is not something you should apologize for no matter how glamorous other jobs sound coming from your colleagues. “Sticktuiveness” is a true virtue in any career.
24. Learn to share your ideas with others as they can become your greatest asset to making your idea a better idea.
25. Learn to embrace diversity. The person who might feel you have the greatest disgust for now might be the person who gives you your last sip of water. Be a kind soul but strong of heart.
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