It seems like there are a few people here who are in artstic fields of work. I'm a graphic designer. I just got laid off and i'm having a hard time with motivation to get back out there.

Anyone else having the same problem?
If you're working right now how does your depression impact your work?

Hope to hear from someone.


*a

i dont have an artistic career, but i like to make jewelry and decorate clothes.. i also know that depression kills my creativity and desire to make things =(. i find it sort of a forced activity, rather than an enjoyable one. if i made jewelry for a living that would complicate things a lot. are you receiving any treatment for your depression? i hope that you are <3

I'm a graphic artist, not designer and I just lost my job on friday. They said that I was doing an excellent job but the boss wants to bring someone else in. I was in the process of learning color correction. That is very diffcult to learn. Mathematical too. But needless to say, I am out of work and I CAN'T take another rejection! 3rd job on one year. First place closed, second place the boss hated me, and now I really have no clue why I lost this one. I don't believe the story. I can't even collect unemployment because I have used it all up.

I don't want to even get up in the mornings.

I'm not in an artistic career now...but I was pursuing a Theatre major degree in stage management.

Self defeat from depression got too me and so did the high demand of having to deal with others problems and than the extra hours upon hours of unpaid/little pay work got to be too much. I think I just got too frustrated. I just realized I haven't done any theatre in 4yrs. Seems like too much of a break to get back into it. I don't even think I know how to run a light board anymore.

Well, I'm hoping to have an artistic career. But sometimes I feel like I won't make it...
I'm doing A-level Art and Textiles and the amount of work you get for Art is huge! I used to cry because I couldn't keep up with the pressure at GCSE... But it seems to be less work at A-level... :S I sometimes have an artist block, but depression doesn't seem to impact it alot lately... It used to because I never had the motivation to do it... I just try to get myself interested and realise that I will get good results back if I do it.
I was hoping to become a fashion designer, but I wasn't too sure because I've been told I have to be bossy... And my social anxiety does not help at all.. Then I thought I could be a graphic designer, or website designer, or 3D animator... But I just can't see myself doing it. I've been told to become an illustrator or artists because I'm quiet, but I don't find them interesting... Ah well...

I'm a copywriter, does that count? ;) The meds are working for me now so I'm doing pretty well. When I'm depressed it really doesn't seem to affect my work very much--other than just being tired all the time and wanting to lie down. (It's tough to resist too, as I'm self-employed and work from home.) For me, while I'm not an A-type, work is still an escape from depression and I throw myself into it. In some perverse way being depressed actually helps me when writing emotional-type copy, although it's an obstacle when writing technology.

Working with depression is much different than NOT working with depression though. When my freelance work really slows down I can get very blue and unmotivated to drum up more, which is not good. And at times in the past when I've lost my job it's been really hard to get out there and look for a new job. I can totally relate to that.

I'm so sorry you've been laid off. Sometimes in my "downtime" I work on creating things for my portfolio--the stuff I never have time to do when I'm busy. And another good way I've found to get back in the ballgame is to reconnect with my network of people in advertising/marketing. Sometimes even a simple "hi there" email can lead to finding out about a position you didn't know about.

Hope you get back to work soon, afrodite. Sending you good thoughts!

cool.. didnt know you were a copywriter.. i always enjoyed reading your posts, and thought they were always thoughtful and written well.

as far as creative careers.. my husband and i own a record label.. talk about anything goes.

Woah Jules, you own a record label? Cool!!! :)

My career (or soon to be) has nothing to do with artistic types, in fact, I'll have to deal with lots of numbers instead! Ugh, talk about boring!!! :( But, I always love the idea to venture into business in a creative industry. I already spoke with one friend about this "ambition" of mine, and she is interested to be my business partner! Woot! lol The problem now is I have no idea what business should I get into, so much for a creative mind, huh? Or, lack of it. :(

I'm studying visual art and music performance, and I dance. These have all saved me in some pretty bleak times. It's incredible to be able to sit down with a project, work with my hands for four hours straight, and just have something to focus so intently on that I forget everything else that's happening. To pour out all that sadness into a melancholy clarinet solo. To stop the hell out of a tap floor, or focus on getting that jump just right. These are what keep me together. I know when I've done these things right, because I feel exhausted afterward. Physically and mentally tired, in that amazing, just-ran-five-miles sort of way.

In your downtime, work on things simply because you enjoy them. Try new things. Try old things in new ways. Try old things again just for the sake of creating. But don't stop creating!

This post has been edited by astralis: Feb 14 2007, 01:59 PM

I was just talking about this whith one of my professors. You see it alot in poets authors and painters. Like Michelangelo. You could tell what he was going through durring his life through his paintings.

Here is my theory. People who are artistic feel differently from others becuase of their imagination. You have to have imagination to do the things we do. And our frustration to come up with what we think is perfection can make us depressed. And while others may not see what we do when we look at our work we see the things that are wrong with it. They just stick out like a diamond in dirt and make us feel like we failed at what we wanted to create.

And them when you are in the throws of depression and can't even get up out of bed you feel bad becuase you can't do the things you want to do. Which are your hobby but also your livelyhood.

Unfortunately that doesn't explain depression for people who arent artistic or don't have am inamgination so i'm not sure if it really even makes a difference.

Heart

This post has been edited by coldestheart: Mar 12 2007, 12:21 PM

im trying to be a writer... i cant write when im seriously depressed... that's coming more and more frequently... my stories suck anyway. i've only got one actual good one. and its going to be a comic... im gonna make it

This post has been edited by KeepingAwake: Mar 12 2007, 01:14 PM

it is interesting to see the relation between depression creativity.

Van Gough suffered depression and pure amount of musicians.

I have a professional day job, but I'm a guitarist and songwriter at heart. Depression and related issues have hurt my motivation to go out and solicit gigs. I struggle with lack of confidence and perfectionism. At times, the depression hurts my motivation to play and/or write. At other times, the music is an escape, an outlet for anger and pain, and a way to express.

I recently tried to give up my day job and play guitar for a living, but I'm not motivated enough. I'm trying to find a way into technical writing, in part, because I feel that writing is a strength. It also might satisfy my need to create.

Take care,
Jerry

i think it is good to have a means of expressing peoples feelings either tho music, art or writing.

i wish i was more like that... i just have tendency to spend my time trying destroy myself thro SI etc... maybe i should find other hobbies lol

Guess I should chime in too - this is my first post :)

I'm also in a creative career (freelance web/UI designer), as well as a fine artist on the site (double whammy!). It certainly is interesting to see a link between depression and creativity (2 of my closest friends have also suffered from it, and lead creative lives).

I've read many books on depression to try and "cure" myself, and I think I'm finally at the point where I need to seek professional help (I'm sure you all can relate how hard it is to admit that!). Many of the books I read talked about people not being able to work, get out of bed, etc... so I have to say that for me, that hasn't been a problem.

My husband even pointed that out the other day - it's as if I'm in a "zone" when I'm working... it's the only time where I can really focus on a task. I tend to overwork myself, but now he sees it differently and almost wants to let me be when I'm working, since it seems to be the only time I'm "fine"... weird!

Anyway, I'll post my "story" in a seperate post, but I wanted to make sure I replied to this one!

-- L

hi to be well!!!

i know its hard getting round to asking for help...

ive been to the doctors only twice in the past eight years... they put me on tablets each time and i dont ever take them... i always think i can just deal with it myself.

should be getting some councilling... i feel ok doing that... but still havent got round to booking a session

scared of getting help incase my problem institutionalises within itself and it turns into something big... i dont want my friends to precieve me as depressed. if i mess up,cant concentrate or decide to have a sleep in the day etc i dont want people to be thinking its because my depression... or even be blaming it on my depression

i just try to forget about it and live normal and dowhat ever is in my capacity to stay active and function.

This post has been edited by AMillwards: Mar 13 2007, 07:48 AM