Student Dissatisfaction
Over the years, I’ve had a handful of students who might be described as, in a word, “dissatisfied”. They are dissatisfied with the school, with the program, with the teachers, with the classes and the projects, with the other students, with themselves, and with life in general. They may be quiet loners or enthusiastic crowd callers, but no matter where they go, or what they do, the world falls short. Their dissatisfaction can be difficult to interpret, especially the day they decide to cast it upon you, because a common sympton of dissatisfaction is finger pointing and blame-giving.
The secret truth is, these people are creatively blocked on a fundamental level. I know because, from time to time throughout my life, I’ve been one of those people. Even if they are still producing work, the fact is, these individuals haven’t taken the time to get honest with themselves about what they really want to be doing with their lives. They have decided complaining is easier than taking the time to do the research, or take the risks, that would allow them to realize their true calling.
Because the fact is, there are always choices. You can chose to stay… or to go. If staying doesn’t make sense, then, for your own sake, please leave. I wish you well, whether your heart’s desire is a degree in music, classical illustration, 3D illustration and product visualization, animation, graphic design, architecture, or any number of other creative ventures, which may or may not include a degree at all.
People who are actively pursuing the dreams that make sense for them are satisfied people, who can accept the consequences of their decisions, taking the bad with the good as part of the journey. In fact, for these people, there is no “bad”, only design challenges that must be outwitted with cleverness and shrewdness.