I never really meant to end up as a designer. But I guess when you grow up doodling in class every day and you just kinda run with that need to just tinker with everything (including art) -- you end up like me. Writing an article for a website that “nobody reads,” even though you’re not a writer.
Art not by Mason because God forbid he write about what he was asked to. - Billy
That being said, it’s not been without challenge, becoming fully involved in anything is difficult. Art, writing, anything creative has ebbs and flows. Sometimes I can knock out everything I need to do and then some, but other times, the tap is just dry. I was asked to write an article about the challenges and process of creating art for 8 Bit Heroes, but instead, I would rather talk about the stops and starts of the creative process. Sorry, Billy.
Also not Mason's art...but I'm cool with it...not big deal...really. -Billy
Being creative isn’t on a switch. You can’t just turn inspiration on or off. Luckily, I work for and with people who, for the most part, can agree or at least understand this point of view. This whole push-pull problem is amplified when you take on personal projects or passion pieces. When it’s for a paycheck, your personal hang-ups tend to take a backseat and it’s easy to focus on what your client wants. But when it comes to art (or even article writing), sometimes your personal tastes and self-criticism seem to stand in the way. After all, things like self-branding, identity, and autobiographical articles represent you as a person. It’s the front door to your ability to do the job you’re wanting to do.
I’m my own worst critic. Yes, that’s a cliche, but in this circumstance, it’s the best way to describe approaching this topic. To others, a piece can be “good enough,” “really great,” or even “perfect,” but in your own mind, you’re staring at nothing but the things you would have changed. What’s worse, and the issue in my case, is the inability to even start a project beyond the first line -- because the ideas are simply not there.
With all the frustration, there is still no better feeling than when you are able to complete a project for a client (or even yourself) and be proud of what you created. Those times are what make the long hours of edits, frustrating days of no creativity, and years of trial and error worth it. Even if it’s something as simple as pixel art for a small website that your friends and you create.