slide 28 | creativity + business require a slightly schizophrenic personality. (but in a good way!)
As a creative professional, know that at some point, during your professional career (through either your own desire or necessity) you will have the opportunity to “strike out on your own”. These are some lessons that I have learned during my 30 year career.
On Tuesday, I presented this in webinar form, to friends and colleagues from my alma mater, Rochester Institute of Technology, RIT. Enjoy! –Doug.
There was a time, when it was possible to graduate from college, assume a position a marketing communications (graphic designer, copywriter, illustrator, typesetter) within a corporation, move up the corporate ladder–and receive a gold watch upon retirement.
Within my own professional career (dating back to1984), there have been 2 major "meteor strikes” within the creative/marketing profession. The initial blast took place in the mid to late 1980s, when the computer firmly established itself within workplace.
Those who failed to accept the new technology, floated out to sea on icebergs–with their little bags of corn, rub-down type and t-squares.
In the very early 1990s, the World Wide Web put down roots and quickly pulled the 'sheet' out from under the printing industry–taking with it the stubborn print-loyalists.
Who knows what lurks in the near future?
Chances are high, that another catastrophic event will cause yet another paradigm shifting shakeup.
How is one to prepare?
Is it possible to build a successful marketing communications career, that will span 40-50 years?
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions! – Doug.
doug@eymer.com
Amongst my 2014 business resolutions, I am committed to taking a more wholehearted approach to BLOGGING.
Up until this point, I have found the process to be a bit of a schizophrenic experience. One part of my brain makes up questions in hopes that another part will chime in with either a solution or something equally or even more thought-provoking idea. Many times, my ADD is tweaked, shifting my focus to a new app, image, or snarky Facebook response–that suddenly pops up on my monitor.
Face it, today’s brave new marketing world is evolving to quickly to allow the necessary rules of engagement, to be properly defined and implemented.
Contrast the social media world of today with the printing industry and how it developed, over many, many, years–Gutenberg to Franklin to digital printing. Even television’s 20 or 30 year development period, pales in comparison.
So my audience of business-minded professionals, please allow me to act as moderator/catalyst (as opposed to author/lecturer), and lets get the dialog started.
Here is my (3 part) question:
If your high school senior was interested in a creativity-based marketing career:
BRIBE:
For every comment that received, we will send you a much-coveted EYMER promotional piece.