Sometimes I struggle with what good my profession (branding design) contributes to the community, other than facilitating the seduction of consumers to part with their earnings.
Emails like this one I received this morning helps to balance.
"It was good to see you on Friday Shane. As I expected, the Heron was a huge hit. I can honestly say it brought out a great amount of emotion…both tears and happiness…both of joy. Thanks so much for this beautiful work of art. It will forever have a very happy home.
Humphrey"
The Heron sculpture was commissioned on behalf of Peel children's crisis centre for a long time dedicated colleague. The symbolistic "taking flight" seemed appropriate.
Taking Flight. 30"w x 8"d HDU
I thought I would post this well articulated comment that shed light on a new perspective. Thanks Joeseph.
I know exactly what you mean. As a designer myself over 12 years ago (now a programmer), I would often hear the saying that graphic design is the bastard child of fine art. While this may be the case if you're a designer consistently working for corporate accounts or crappy clients (and I've had my fair share), it can be a different matter entirely doing work for small businesses. You have the satisfaction of knowing that your art has touched someone personally, made their life that much better by bringing beauty into their life. And small businesses are the lifeblood of communities. By helping them, you are bettering those communities.
When people see attractive signage, print work and interior design, they feel better about being in that place. That feeling of ease, of repose, of happiness that patrons feel, can and does translate into more dollars into the cash registers and bank accounts. But money is just an energy. It is a symptom, a cause, rather than the effect. Art does not only exist in art galleries behind sterile cages of glass. The best art, in my opinion, is that which brings a sense of beauty to those places we use every day. And your work does just that.
Cheers,
Joseph