Ouch! "Should I learn all of the Adobe programs? Should I be teaching myself 3D modeling? Animation?" feels like the mantra of my last 10 years in the industry. Personally, I think you're on the right track with following your intuition. I would suggest ignoring the unimaginably difficult Shohei Ohtani model -- which I honestly think can work only if you start by the age of 15-20. The rest of us can only find our niche -- and yours is beautifully shaped by your own tapestry of wisdom and experience. In your own way, you're way ahead of Mr. Ohtani :)
Agree Lauren! Our goals aren't as definable as "play in the MLB", but at least our odds of achieving them are, statistically, much better. As for skills, I tend to learn them when I need them for a particular project that seems to be asking for them. Perhaps a more important and under-considered variation on one of Ohtani's aspirations is "be someone that people want to work with". (As you are!) Thanks so much for the kind words Lauren, and thanks for reading.
Thank you, once again Mary, for your post, which is so relevant to my own journey right now as a graphics editor who is now hanging out her freelance shingle. I was really saddened to hear your unfortunate news recently, but I do anticipate a bounce back in the industry. It will come eventually and we will be there, but in the meantime I am hoping to add to my skills, things I've always been too busy to devote time to learning. Good luck! You are extremely knowledgeable and talented and I will continue to recommend your services.
Thanks so much, Leslie. And I agree, I think it's bouncing back. We'll be ready. I'm thinking of finally learning how to use Blender. So easy to learn new skills these days if you only have the time. Good luck to you too and thanks as always for reading!
Ouch! "Should I learn all of the Adobe programs? Should I be teaching myself 3D modeling? Animation?" feels like the mantra of my last 10 years in the industry. Personally, I think you're on the right track with following your intuition. I would suggest ignoring the unimaginably difficult Shohei Ohtani model -- which I honestly think can work only if you start by the age of 15-20. The rest of us can only find our niche -- and yours is beautifully shaped by your own tapestry of wisdom and experience. In your own way, you're way ahead of Mr. Ohtani :)
Agree Lauren! Our goals aren't as definable as "play in the MLB", but at least our odds of achieving them are, statistically, much better. As for skills, I tend to learn them when I need them for a particular project that seems to be asking for them. Perhaps a more important and under-considered variation on one of Ohtani's aspirations is "be someone that people want to work with". (As you are!) Thanks so much for the kind words Lauren, and thanks for reading.
Thank you, once again Mary, for your post, which is so relevant to my own journey right now as a graphics editor who is now hanging out her freelance shingle. I was really saddened to hear your unfortunate news recently, but I do anticipate a bounce back in the industry. It will come eventually and we will be there, but in the meantime I am hoping to add to my skills, things I've always been too busy to devote time to learning. Good luck! You are extremely knowledgeable and talented and I will continue to recommend your services.
Thanks so much, Leslie. And I agree, I think it's bouncing back. We'll be ready. I'm thinking of finally learning how to use Blender. So easy to learn new skills these days if you only have the time. Good luck to you too and thanks as always for reading!
So sorry to hear about your job, Mary! I guess the silver lining is you're available for coffee meetups again...??
I love this so much Mary. Really needed this read this morning. You are so special and inspiring and I'm so glad we got the chance to work together ❤️
Thank you Meredith! I'm so glad our paths crossed when they did. I'm always here. No need to wait for a monthly monologue.
You bet!!