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 Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 10:22 pm
A couple of days ago on DeviantArt, one of the artists I follow posted a blog about networking as an artist. While she had some valid points about getting your feet wet in the scene, one thing that struck me, almost offensively, was what she offered to say about socializing as an artist. Paraphrased it was that as a student, you shouldn't bother trying to output something that reflects the best of your abilities when you can get by with something OK. And that you should be spending your time socializing with other artists, teachers, etc. And she supported this statement by saying it isn't your grade that counts, but the connections you make.
It really struck a nerve with me. I don't deny that networking is a huge, huge, HUGE part of being in the art industry, but everything about not working to the best of your abilities is completely against what I believe in. Personally, I am in school to learn and develop, and when I do exercises for class, I try my best to be innovative and to look for the core purpose in doing the assignment. I know there is a balance somewhere - you can't burn yourself out on things that are pretty much for a grade - but floating by in school is the worst advice I would ever give anyone.
I feel like my community is in general, is not very prosperous. My example is Monsters vs. Aliens VS. Up. Monetarily they have accomplished the same thing - a bit hit at the box office. But MvA is custom fitted for the kiddies, it has gags, it has conventional characters, it doesnt take a ton of risks. Pixar has a huge quality standard for stories, character development and pretty much every aspect in the movie. What's the point of them taking that bigger step for quality if they end up in the same place as MvA? We're flooded with terrible media because essentially producers figure out what's hot at the moment and produce the s**t out of it. It's such a waste of resources and time in my opinion.
I'm curious to know what other people think about this. How do you feel about getting assignments that just seem boring or something the teacher is throwing at you for a grade? Is it different depending on the class? How do you feel about school as a stepping stone into the industry? Should you compromise quality because you know you are going to end up in the same place as if you went full board? I know I am showing my bias in this topic but I am genuinely interested in how people feel about this so don't worry about me lashing out in response =P
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Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:11 pm
It angers me that a lot of the more popular art out there (I'm talking music, movies and cartoons as well as visual art) is just pandering to an audience, as opposed to being technically good. It all has the potential to be awesome, but the artist couldn't be bothered to try harder because they thought the extra effort wouldn't be worth much.
I wish art teachers would give more creative projects, as opposed to them being so technical.
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Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 3:46 pm
I don't believe that artist that made those comments gets the point. Why would you go to school to just neglect all your classes and suck up to your teachers and other artists? They are there to do what THEY want to do, not help some artist who doesn't want to do his/her homework
Besides those teachers won't do anything for you that involves favoritism; all they can do is suggest things to do (like putting work in a local show) Singling one student out of 300 is highly unlikely.
Networking comes into play if you are a hard worker, have put yourself out there in a classy manner, and produce some fantastic, one-of-a-kind artwork that symbolizes you and your style. That is what get's you noticed as an artist.
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Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 7:32 pm
My opinion, I guess, is somewhere in the middle.
As far as assignments go, if it's truly and utterly uninteresting to you, half a** it. Whatever, if you're never going to do it again, then don't worry about getting good at it.
Conversely, if you are interested in learning, (especially if you're going to an art school, which I assume you have to pay good money for) DO THE WORK. And if you have no time, or you're restricted to something stupid for a subject, or you have a serious headache or something that day, take notes on it, and practice it and put your whole efforts into a separate but similar project.
In other words, do it again on your own, no teachers or limitations involved.
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Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 9:19 pm
You should do your best. Always. Period.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:02 am
If you haven't already, consider cross posting this to AD. This is a great topic. One of which I'll have to write one when I have enough time to really think on it. >_<
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Errol McGillivray Captain
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:16 pm
Sure, I was considering but I think I will refine some points when I have the time =)
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:04 pm
Mediocrity is what causes stagnancy. If there isn't something better and better, creating a new high standard, raising the bar (enter more metaphors and catchphrases here), then there is no movement.
Networking and socializing is important, but to only do mediocre things while doing that? You are just advertising that you aren't that great. Yes you'll have connections, but to those connections are you marketing yourself as "average" and "normal" NOT edgy and fresh.
ALWAYS do your best.
To not take risks and try to best yourself over and over will kill you as an artist. When the artist part of you is dead all that's left is a mediocre capitalist.
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 4:43 pm
I believe in giving it your all, always. Though I understand taking a popular method and exploiting it for a short while, even that only goes so far. It's good to continue repeating until it's perfected, but once perfected to your abilities, it really is time to step it up. That would have annoyed me too. :/
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Posted: Wed Jan 27, 2010 11:02 pm
I might be the devil's advocate here. First of all, what constitutes doing your best?
If that means making sure that the product reflects the best of your skills, no, I don't believe people should strive to do their best every time.
Not because I think networking is more important, though. When you're a professional, meeting the deadline is more important than making sure that what you hand over to your client meets your own personal standards. This is especially true for commercial clients (as opposed to private commissioners). They NEED your stuff by the deadline, or their business might not go as planned.
The situation may be a little different for students. But again, if your choices are a) turning in something mediocre on time, and b) producing an excellent result waaaay past the deadline, a) is better.
I don't understand why you can't do your best both in quality and in networking, though?
Also, while I was never a full pledged art student, during the two college art classes I took, I was too busy having fun to even notice whether or not I was doing my best. XD;; Not sure where that falls on the effort/self-challenge spectrum.
Another problem with "product reflects the best of your skills" is that quite often, that actually means you're staying in your comfort zone. But since you're clearly against that, no need to argue against this one. ^^
Did this article have any other points? (link plz?)
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 2:55 pm
Today I got a fortune cookie from Panda Express that says "When seeking what you quest, always do your best."
I think I'll listen to the cookie.
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 9:06 am
I agree. You should do what you're comfortable with. Besides, if your artwork is impressive enough, the teacher should be impressed right? I mean, they're art teachers! They should have an eye for good art! If not, then why would they even bother teaching art in the first place? They wouldn't be very good teachers!
Also, there does seem to be a lot of mediocrity these days. But this could be a good motivator! If you think about it, it gives you the opportunity to stand out and introduce people to something new! Because, believe me, people tend to get tired of the same-old, same-old and they constantly search for something innovative!
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:54 am
I think being a good artist and being successful financially are not necessarily the same thing. To be in the art business, you need connections and I think connections may be more important than being amazing when getting jobs and such. However, being able to get jobs doesn't make you a better artist than someone else who has better skills but no job. That being said, I think putting effort into your art pieces is important as well. Art classes are supposed to help you become a better artist and if you don't take advantage of that then its your loss. Kissing up to people and spending all your time making connections will probably get you somewhere but without the skills, you probably can't get that far.
Summary: make tons of connections but also put effort into your assignments
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Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 11:51 pm
Michael Bay has been doing it for years. Taylor Swift is making a living that way.
People can't tell self insert fantasy fulfillment of teenybop wet dreams from storytelling. People could give a s**t about gameplay or storytelling in movies and games because "they look great".
This is a generation where fanfiction.net and Picture Post quality crap has it's worth judged based on the desu shine on the surface something completely hallow. It's good because it's popular, rather than it being popular because it's good.
We're at a cultural nadir and honestly, the internet is to blame. People can get it now, rather than hold out for quality. Good is so buried in bad that just okay passes for good.
I believe things will get better though if the creatives of the world give a s**t enough to teach this generation and the next that s**t is s**t, no matter how polished. When you settle, that's all you do. Settle into doing the same thing like a stain in a carpet. Just sitting there, being a eyesore.
But that's just my highly subjective and mildly bitter opinion.
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Errol McGillivray Captain
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2010 5:13 pm
*giggle, giggle* Every time I see Taylor Swift I can't resist saying "Beyonce deserves it more!"
None-the-less I agree 100% with the"highly subjective and mildly bitter opinion" above me. The internet is contaminated with "I just do this for fun, not because I want to be anatomically correct"s and "if I like it what's it matter"s. I want to go find the person that said you don't need to study to be an artist and beat his/her face in. Aside from the studying, it makes me wonder how people manage to draw the same way for years without changing.
I think the line between mediocrity and doing your best has to be established on a personal level. I mean I haven't slept in the last two months because of school work. My best is certainly not at the level it should be. Even I know when something I do is only C+ work. But the onlookers think "wow that must be really difficult", when I really just didn't care or have time to try. I think if your willing to make excuses, such as "I'm too busy networking" maybe what you are doing at the time is your best.
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