What an Art Director and Motion Designer at Apple Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Entertainment Industry
John, an Art Director & Motion Designer at Apple, wishes someone had told John that a lucrative career in "graphic design, motion design" existed within the entertainment industry, dispelling the "starving artist" myth. The lack of this knowledge, however, inadvertently motivated John to work harder and develop skills without feeling "entitled".
Career Exploration, Industry Realities, Overcoming Challenges, Motivational Stories, Candid Advice
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
John Robson
Art Director & Motion Designer
Apple
UCSB
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Advertising, Communications & Marketing
Creative
Worked 20+ Hours in School
Video Highlights
1. There is a viable career path in graphic and motion design within the entertainment industry.
2. Contrary to the 'starving artist' stereotype, this field can be financially rewarding.
3. Not knowing about this career path early on pushed the interviewee to work harder and develop skills independently, highlighting the importance of self-motivation and initiative in the field.
Transcript
Q9: Wish I'd known before about the industry.
What have you learned about this role that you wish someone had told you before you entered the industry?
That it existed. When I started all this, I didn't even know what I do existed. I was under the belief in college that fine art, or art in general, as a medium or as a way of making a living, didn't make financial sense.
I always thought of the idea of a starving artist. In reality, because graphic design and motion design are part of the entertainment industry, there's a ton of money and an entire career to be made there.
I wish someone had given me reassurance that a career like this existed and that it would be okay. But then I also think that maybe not knowing pushed me to work harder and to develop things without feeling entitled to it.