Today i was officially made redundant. Initially it hit me hard. I asked myself the obvious questions; what next? How i am going to find work in the current environment? Are there any jobs at all? I couldn't answer any of them. What i realised is that i am not the only person in this position and even if most designers haven't felt the force of the recession yet, they will soon, it's inevitable.
So, everything is all doom and gloom, or is it? I decided to pop down to the D&AD annual launch with my art director after work and had some time to reflect. I am not normally one for enjoying a tube ride across London during rush hour but, today i did. I started thinking about the people standing next to me, the hundreds of designers making their way home this evening, all worried about the apparent 'credit crunch' making an impact on their lives. I ask, is it such a bad thing?
The current financial climate will improve, or at least it has to. The work will come back. Until then, where will the money come from? who knows? I for one am trying to remain positive about the whole thing. In my opinion, graphic design has been stale for a long time now. So what if, during this period, we see a new wave of designers, and design, come to the fore? A new, more relaxed attitude to creativity, as budgets tighten, and a new lease of life for the industry? Sound more exciting now.
Medium size companies will feel the recession the most, freeing up more work for smaller agencies and freelancers and not really effecting the larger agencies (where retainers have already been secured from big brands). This could be one of the most creative periods in design history if the opportunity is seized. I for one will be trying to make the most of the uncertainty that surrounds us at present, and will look to the future rather than to the past. History repeats itself, and in times of crisis, people prevail. Take a moment to pause, catch your breath on then lead the assault. VIVA LA REVOLUTION!
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