January 15th, 2010 marked my last day working at the company I had worked at for 6 1/2 years. It was my first job out of college and it was through them that I cut my teeth in the business world. I had been promoted through the ranks from test proctor to school director which I owe to my cheery determination and mulish work ethic.
I had originally gone to school for art-making, graduating at the top of my class with absolutely no idea how to use this degree to make money and live. Not wanting to burden my family and fed up with the starving artist stereotype, I looked for a job with steady income and benefits. By the time I had landed some form of a job I embraced the 9 to 5 culture as it felt like I was contributing to a greater something and giving back to society.
If you are an artist and you get a steady job with a set schedule it’s easy to say you’ll find time to create. The reality is very different- there is no on/off switch to creation. Once you get invested into the place where you spend most of your time, evenings and weekends are spent unwinding, not inducing the giddy rush of creating. Staunching that after it starts leaves me feeling empty and unsatisfied.
After getting to a certain point in my company career I knew that though all my creature comforts were taken care of there was still something missing. I knew if I ever wanted to create again I needed to fully dedicate my time to it. Despite reigning back the urge there was little that could change this large part of me, except for the gradual accumulation in years of a 9 to 5 mentality. As I write I am still under the grip of the perspective of the world that comes with intense multi-tasking and high level customer service.
Making the decision to quit my job to open an interactive design studio with my friends was not easy but so far it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. And I owe the process of my realization and understanding of my abilities to that company I spent so long at. I know we’ll do well because I’ve done well, and I know we have what it takes because I have what it takes.
To the left is my desk at my old job. To the right is my desk now. I like where this is going.
You’ve gone more minimalist! Like it
Thanks Cate!
[...] We’ve been doing projects together, as DINO, for the past couple of months, but Em has only been able to put in part-time hours as she completed her obligations with her prior employer. Her last day of work was the 15th and she started full time at DINO last Monday (although she couldn’t help herself and came in the weekend before her first DINO day to get caught up on project work and set up her space). [...]
I agree. There’s clementiney-colored orange on the wall behind me and we’re thinking of a giant red ambiguous creature vinyl cutout for the white walls.
Well, the window’s still in the same place, but the MacBook Pro–now that’s definitely an improvement. I think a splash of color might be helpful and add some warmth. Peach and green, or maybe red!
[...] We’ve been doing projects together, as DINO, for the past couple of months, but Em has only been able to put in part-time hours as she completed her obligations with her prior employer. Her last day of work was the 15th and she started full time at DINO last Monday (although she couldn’t help herself and came in the weekend before her first DINO day to get caught up on project work and set up her space). [...]
awesome!