When people ask me what I do for a living and I answer I’m a graphic designer, they often say, ’Oh, you must be really good at drawing.’ And quickly follow with, ‘I used to love to draw as a kid.’ (or they alternate with paint, write, sculpt). Then they go on to explain now that they are an adult they have lost all ability to be artistic.
At this point I tell them the reality of a graphic designer in our modern age is more about moving a mouse on a desk, than putting a pencil to paper. But I do make a point to say the tool all graphic designers use every day is their creativity.
This skill is somehow viewed as a mysterious thing by people who say ‘I don’t have a creative bone in my body.’ The truth is everyone has creative potential. All children have an innate creative ability – you only have to watch them play or draw to see that – but most people don’t keep using this skill as they grow up. Perhaps it’s our rational world that slowly takes over and vanquishes that creative desire over time.
The more I come in contact with people from all fields of work the more I realise we all have a desire to create in whatever form feels right to us. More often than not people simply think creativity is too far out of reach for them. Often people seek inspiration and want to develop a fulfilling creative life for themselves, it’s just seems to hard to fit in with their busy lives.
So if you’ve always had an inclination to paint, draw or write but keep putting it aside, what is stopping you?
