🚀 go-pugleaf

I've been a graphic designer since the mid-'60s, after graduating with a BFA from a well-reputed art and design school. The industry has changed enormously over the years as far as workflow is concerned. I started designing with Magic Markers, pencils, ruling pens, Rapidographs and Zip-A-Tone; type specification for hot metal and foundry type proofed on coated Relyon; to properly marked-up paste-up mechanicals (using two-coat rubber cement), complete with type proofs and FPO photostats; working with print production people, process camera operators and strippers. Aside from direct-to-press and computer controls for presses, the offset lithography hasn't changed that much, relatively speaking.

And computers were task-specific, refrigerator-sized boxes kept in clean rooms that only a few had, and were very, very expensive. We've got far faster and better in our desktop systems today. And lots cheaper!

Do I enjoy it? Depends. Clients, how much they'll pay, deadlines, nature of the projects, etc., are the determining factors. But it takes a lot of work to succeed. Luck has as much to do with as talent. Being business savvy helps a lot. And that, unfortunately, they don't teach in art school.

Neil