Yes. I doubt myself like it's my job, and this isn't specific to design. While there are certainly some subtle nuances between the two, I liken doubt to just plain old fear - fear that something you want to happen won't, something you need to do you can't, etc.
I'm one of the most fearful people, honestly. I'm afraid of lots of things. It's the one part of my personality I wish I could change and I've been this way forever.
So, I have a story.
When I was in the third grade, my family traveled to Niagara Falls for vacation. And, of course, my parents had arranged for us to go on the Maid of the Mist, a boat that goes right up to the falls. But when I saw Niagara Falls and my family proposed this idea, I refused to get on the boat. I couldn't do it - I was so stinkin scared to get so close.
So, I didn't go. My grandpa stayed behind with me and we just went to a bunch of gift shops.
I'm still an extremely fearful person, but when I think of 8-year-old me not getting on that boat, I get so pissed at her. What a pathetic wimp! Even though I still am afraid of a lot of things, I do them. I'm scared to do them, but I find a way to get them done.
I find that my design career is a wave of emotions - from doubt/fear to frustration to determination to pride and all the way back again. The only thing I can do, really, is continue to develop my skills and ride the wave.
2. Have you pushed yourself out of your design comfort level?
My first semester in the program, I took Intro to Graphic Design as a pre-req. Our second assignment (i.e. my second design assignment EVER) was to interpret a quote through design. I had a quote and I did something so cliche for our first draft, and I knew it was crap. So my instructor told me go more outside my comfort zone, to experiment. I don't know why she thought I could get somewhere better, more authentic, but she did and she was right. I ended up with one of my favorite pieces I've ever done, to this day. It was so different from anything I would have thought I could do.
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when he is silent. -Written on the wall of concentration camp
3. Are there any other design disciplines you want to give a try?
I really, really want to try video.
4. Should I keep pushing myself to try illustrating for this project? or should I wait to try when there is no due date or dealings involved?
I think you should keep pushing yourself. But, I also think you should have a backup plan. Sometimes, things don't go the way we expect them or want them to. If you've thought about that possibility already, and then something goes wrong, you go from being the scaredy cat to the preparedy cat.
Get on the boat. Bring a life jacket. You'll be fine.
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