I can\u2019t remember a time when I was not doing art in some context….painting, illustration, sketching. My mother owned an art store in our small town in Maine, and it gave me access to a seemingly endless amount of mediums and tools to try out. As my skills evolved, I started applying to art colleges \u2014 initially for illustration, but then I switched to graphic design when I realized that I could learn a more \u201cmarketable\u201d skill (*sigh*) and still use my illustration skills. <\/p>\n

After a decade in the graphic design industry working for brands like Chanel, The Row, Rolex, Ralph Lauren, Birchbox, and more, I started a small NYC-based design studio, Wildes District<\/a>. We specialize in emerging women’s and e-commerce brands (Margaux, Chief, Andie Swim, Aurate, Elix Healing, Kin Euphorics to name a few) and we work closely with founders to build meaningful experiences that span multiple touchpoints \u2014 including brand, web, app, print, packaging, and more. <\/p>\n

When I think back those earlier days when I first decided to pursue a career in the arts, I remember that jolt of excitement I felt when I\u2019d imagine my future self…Sitting in a sun-filled loft, coffee cup in one hand, ink pen in the other, doodling the morning away on some high-profile commissioned illustration piece. And also in a lot of people\u2019s minds, this is what my day-to-day life looks like. <\/p>\n

Indeed, there are times in my life where I\u2019ve realized that glimmers of this vision have become reality, and feel extremely grateful and incredibly fulfilled. However, the reality is also very different. Because ultimately, creative jobs are jobs just like any other. <\/p>\n

And now that I run my own design studio, my day-to-day reality is even more different than what I ever thought it\u2019d be.<\/p>\n

Here are some things I\u2019ve learned along the way about making not just \u201ca living,\u201d but a career, out of creative work.<\/p>\n

1) Guess what! You\u2019ll always have a boss. <\/strong><\/p>\n

A lot of creative people imagine working for themselves or starting a studio as the ultimate expression of freedom. I get these questions all the time:
\n-\u201cAre you just making cool sh*t 24\/7? Must be so nice to have the creative freedom!\u201d
\n-\u201cSo do you work whatever hours you want?\u201d
\n-\u201cIs it nice not having to answer to anyone? No boss breathing down your neck!\u201d<\/p>\n

The answer to all of these questions is…no. <\/p>\n

Creative work is not something that you chip away at in between watching TV and surfing the web. Most creative projects span 3-6+ months, with weekly client (\/investor\/board member\/team) check-ins. And if you have multiple projects at the same time, that\u2019s very little time to both take meetings and do the work…not to mention unbillable, administrative work. And those meetings? They happen 9-6, Monday – Friday when everyone else in the world is in their office. So while theoretically you can work \u201cwhenever\u201d, you will most likely work a normal workweek \u2014 and then some. This gets even more cemented in place when you hire a team. You will need to make yourself available to them when they are working as well…which means…regular working hours. <\/p>\n

Finally, at the end of the day, you\u2019ll always have a boss. Whether that\u2019s a client, investors, board members, or the customer, there\u2019s always someone who ultimately will be consuming your work. Even if you become a famous painter, you\u2019ll likely be represented by a gallery which will have input on your work and process. <\/p>\n

2) You have to be both left-brained and right-brained.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Having a successful career in the creative world requires the perfect alchemy of business and creative skill sets. Many people and businesses fail because they either lack creative vision, or lack business acumen. As a creative individual in the field, you need to deliver beautiful work, and hit your timelines. Sometimes, this means that you can\u2019t sit around waiting for inspiration to strike, you need to sit down at your desk and simply start…the inspiration will come.<\/p>\n

To run a design studio you need to have a strong creative vision, but you also need to be business-savvy enough to speak about process & deliverables, produce proposals, review contracts, and manage your team.<\/p>\n

3) You need to protect your most personal work.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the sayings you hear the most in the creative field is the mantra: \u201cChoose a job you love, and you\u2019ll never have to work a day in your life\u201d. It\u2019s important to understand that the quote is about picking a job \u2014 not a passion. If you already work in the creative field, I think there\u2019s extreme value in saving a piece of your world just for yourself. I love to paint flowers and though I\u2019ve had many inquiries for commissions, I don\u2019t ever paint for commissions…that part of my creative self is just for me. It sounds pretty cool to charge for something you\u2019d be doing already, but the minute you do that, it will evolve from being a passion to a job. And if your passion is what ignites you, be careful of burning out by overdoing it. <\/p>\n

4) Don\u2019t confuse doubt with apathy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Careers in the creative field can be difficult to stick with long-term. As a creative person, you tie so much of your self worth and identity to your creative output. <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve spoken to many of my peers who, at one point or another, have said they\u2019re \u201cready to quit\u201d and \u201ctry something different.\u201d Feeling let down and deflated, they begin to doubt their creativity and feel totally apathetic to their career.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, this feeling stems from a company that makes them doubt the quality of their work. Sometimes, it stems from a client who doesn\u2019t value their creative input. Sometimes, it stems from an agency or studio that doesn\u2019t allow them to fully express their creativity. <\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been here too many times, and it can feel soul-crushing. It\u2019s helpful to remember that one person\u2019s opinion is just that \u2014 an opinion. There are infinite ways to approach a creative problem, and unlike math, there\u2019s typically not a black and white answer that\u2019s \u201cright\u201d or \u201cwrong\u201d. And if you\u2019re constantly hearing one opinion that you\u2019re \u201cwrong\u201d, get another opinion. Sometimes this means changing jobs, or taking on different projects\/clients. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s easy to let negative feedback seep into your psyche and make you feel ready to quit, or like you\u2019re not good enough. But give it time \u2014 your creative flame will reignite in the right environment. Don\u2019t give up. Eventually you\u2019ll find that spark again and pick up again where you left off.<\/p>\n