Larry Geiger communication design

This short film reminds us that we have the gift of choice when it comes to the most difficult times in our professional lives. "It's not a pink slip, it's a blank page".

I recall actually getting my "dream agency job" years ago. I was laid-off with seven others after only six short months, it was very difficult, but it toughened me up a bit, and and allowed me to spend many months with my newborn son. I would not change it if I could. The bank account took a beating, but those moments with my wife and son were priceless. This film address the current state of several, laid-off individuals who recognized there was a deeper, more enriching life waiting for them. Imagine if all the pink-slippers that walk amongst our family and friends actually made the choice to do what they loved and were passionate about? I know there are mouths to feed ... but as the old adage goes, do what you love and the money will follow. This film is 30 minutes long, please pass it on to all of your friends and family who are right at the cusp of doing the great, fulfilling things they were meant to do. Oh, and if they just got a pink slip, you may want to wait a while.

Question: Did you ever create something without thinking too much about it, and the result was, in your own (not) humble opinion just right? It can be a great feeling and for creative people, it provides fuel for the creative fire. You are pleased that the muse visited you, you are now ready to share the love with your client.

I created this graphic for Zion Rootswear over a year ago. I am kind of fond of it ... so attached to it in fact, that I was sure the client would choose this design and move it into production mode and be sold at major retailers throughout the country. (I have made many illustrations/designs for them). It was developed for their ladies line of shirts as a prototype. The approval process involved the sales team, which gives the final say ... yeah or neigh ... I was certain that a yeah would be heard and that I would soon move on to high resolution production mode on this simple, lovely Marley tee. My ego got the best of me ...

The design was rejected and I could not understand why. It was perfect. But, it was perfect to me, not the client. They know their business well and gauge the temperature, pulse, and weight of the market and the needs of the buyers that they work with. They have a solid understanding of that side of their business and what will sell. The muse is not important to the customer, it is the bottom line ... as it should be.

In order for a designer to succeed in business, it is important to let go of the love/attachment you may have for your work. Definitely stand behind all of your work and back it up, but there are never enough questions to ask and intelligence to gather to properly provide your client with their best work. The feedback I received on this design was that Bob Marley's face was just not that recognizable. How simple and true.

I love the moments when I create great work and my customers feel the vibe too. But it does not happen all the time, it is a process. I held on the fact that the Marley prototype was flawless and everyone should see it that way, but as the Buddhist teacher Goenka states:"Grasping at things can only yield one of two results: Either the thing you are grasping at disappears, or you yourself disappear. It is only a matter of which occurs first."

Reflecting on the past 15 years, I have come up with a rough set of stages related to design thinking and practice ranging from the early school daze, to my current condition as a graphic communicator.

I was fortunate that the Mac was my first, real graphic design tool at university in the early 90's. Seasoned design professionals at that time either embraced it fully, moved to management, or slowly watched the new technology render their tools and language useless in the coming years.

Do you remember Rubylith? It would make a good name for a band.

For students who were ready to bring their artistic talents to the field of Communication Graphics, this was THE moment, the Macintosh was THE tool and it was a time to experiment, discuss and critique visual culture, and break new intellectual ground related to graphic design theory. It was an exhilarating time full of possibilities and unfettered creative energy. I was lucky to have the key to the computer lab, fortunate that I knew how to hack the pay-as-you-go color printer, and thankful for Vivarin and John's Wildwood Pizza.

Here is a brief review:

Stage 1: "Design is about me and my creative process, it is art...and has associated value as such, it's relationship to commerce is of secondary value." I am a creative person and graphic design is my brand of artistic expression.

Stage 2: "Design may be about communication and marketing, but for me, it is about learning how to tweak the tools, push the visual envelope and make this newsletter look cool" I realize there is an audience that needs to connect with my work, if I make it look good, this should do the trick.

Stage 3: "Design can be artistic, but it seems that everyone behind my chair directing me over my shoulder has an opinion of this as well" Graphic Design may be more than just being creative, and feeding my own personal artistic jones.

Stage 4: (A number of years spent with strategic marketers, writers, business owners, innovators, and other creative pros). Good Graphic Design is good business and sound strategy and needs to be complimented with a solid understanding of business and marketing.

Stage 5, Today: "Graphic Design is about communicating clear ideas, collaboration with others, insightful interpretation to connect ideas with people and provide businesses a voice"

In conclusion, the early days were more about my skills and how it provided me an identity as an artist. Now, as a mid career pro, I realize that I do not need this affirmation anymore. My identity as a creative person resides in how well I can use my talent to help others communicate, to help them affirm their Identity.

At the very end of my career, I suspect that the final stage of my design thinking and practice will look a lot like Stage 1.