For me, design/art is all I’ve ever known. I’ve got stacks and binders full of drawings dating waaaay back. From 1st grade on I wanted to be an artist “when I grew up”. So, I guess it was in my blood. Which works out great—cause I love it and can’t believe people pay me to do this day in and day out.

I look at my Dad and see how he has worked his ass off to make a great life for his family. I want to do the same thing for mine. That’s what make me hungry… that, and sandwiches.

I had the same exact response from my first design teacher. He basically said if you want to get into design, you better be prepared to have your work pissed on and never make more than 50k. Obviously there is some truth to this, but there are so many more reasons on why to design. I don’t think anything makes me “hungry”… more or less I think I as an individual am made to be creative. I can’t not be hungry in the way of being creative. This isn’t always in design which makes being hungry in design harder. I think , in design, I stay hungry by seeing what other cool things people are doing. There is a simple satisfaction in the creation of something, whether it is for a big client, or just a stupid shirt that will never get printed. Just some random thoughts. Peace & Love!

It’s acceptance. I want people to love the things I make. But that could be secondary to making something I actually like. As the saying goes, “you are your own worst critic.” I am driven to make thing that people dig, but maybe or mostly things that I dig. Or it could be the fact that if I don’t do it I will behind the KFC with my feet wiggling through the hopper.

cL

Our hunger, our desire, to pursue our passion is something we are told is good to do when we’re not “working”. When we’re little we’re often praised for our crayon scribbles and dipping our hands in paint and making a mess, but as we get older the praises begin to fade and the voices of responsibility get louder and louder.

DO THIS!
DON’T DO THAT.
You can’t make money drawing!
Sooner or later you’re going to have to grow up!

And on and on the voice of so-called reasoning leads us to a life of corporate servitude. But, and a big but at that, there are those among us who defy the system and can’t shake the feeling coming from deep inside our souls that we were meant for so much more. The painter, poets, musicians, THE CREATIVES, all go through the same thing. We constantly battle ourselves over what we love to do and what we have to do.

I haven’t even really answered your question yet, but I’m getting there. At this moment in time I am torn between what I want to do and what I am currently doing. Having a wife adds a little more weight to the side of the responsibility scale. And I can’t imagine what having kids does to that scale. But one thing I know and believe is this, we have one life to live here on this earth and we better damn well make good use of it. Because if I remember correctly, there is a story about 3 men, each of whom were given talents, and while two went out and multiplied them and brought back more than they were given, one hid his because he was too afraid to do anything with it. Well I don’t want to be the latter who was too afraid to use what he had been given.

I want to make great things. I want to meet great people. I want to do it all because my God is great. And I think that’s what really makes me hungry.

I think being hungry really sets people apart in this world. There are those who are complacent and those who want to make the most out it - in a goal oriented sense. This is largely dependent on nature and experience.

Most people have a natural tendency to want to excel, become better, and prosper, but obstacles stare them in the eye causing apprehension, fear, or lack of motivation. Some people overcome this mindset and others remain in equilibrium. Some people develop more drive overtime by nurturing the characteristic, others lose motivation. Much of this has to do with the individual’s view of the world, i.e. Are they positive? Can they deal with hardship? Can they leave yesterdays mistakes behind and take yesterdays accomplishments into tomorrow?

It also has to do with values. Many do not need to achieve to feel a sense of accomplishment. Instead, they can be completely happy living a life of quite tranquility, never experiencing the need to become more.

In your case, you had an experience which made you want to take your design to the next level. This only added to your passion for the creative language. I had the same situation, only not in design, unless you consider my banner making in Photoshop elements design.

Briefly, on a personal level, I have always been somewhat of an achiever; however, that trait was significantly intensified when I experienced injury. While playing soccer I broke my leg and was forced to spend 3 months in the hospital, undergoing 6 surgeries. Once I returned, I busted my other leg. The whole experience left me off my feet for the better part of a year.

This experience of being confined to a hospital room for such a significant amount of time game me time to think, and you better believe that when I got out, the last thing I wanted to do was sit around and watch TV

This experience caused me to want to take advantage of every moment, intensifying the drive I already had. Life short, make the most out of it!

Sick post!

Best,

@johnelincoln

The hunger is what drives the creative people. The hunger for more, the hunger for better. The hunger and hustle go hand in hand. The hunger we have drives us to hustle and accomplish the goals we set out for ourselves.

I’m hungry to change the world. I want to use the power I have a freelance designer to change the world. I am not 100% sure how I will be doing that yet, but the hunger I have to do it is what drives me forward every day on the path to accomplish it. I’ve got more plans together today than I had a week ago - and that’s attributed to the hunger and hustle I’ve put in place.

Awesome post Josh. I’m really digging the type of articles you write here. They’re very thought provoking - as seen in the numerous comments about the same length as your post

I feel driven to be creative constantly one way or another, I honestly have seen that when I don’t feel I can create, I feel compelled to destroy, LOL. (just kidding but not really) I’ve been drawing since before I could walk, I have a photo of this somewhere. Creativity is the central core of who and what I am. I see art in everything, every where I go, sometimes its all I can stand not to constantly take photographs or sit down and sketch on the spot. Its gotten to the point to where I saved the money to get out of the tedium of my 9-5 Design job to go back to freelancing to give myself more time to pursue the purity of art and design, while still being able to make money doing what I love, but finally on my own terms.

But more than that I want to do something meaningful with my creativity, I want to encourage and inspire others, and now with this extra time I’ve finally been able to get really involved with some charities I was interested in. Being able to use design as force for good has made a huge difference in my life.