I read this outstanding blog article by Josh Becker at www.becomingminimalist.com recently. Check it out at the link at the end of this post. It made me think about a related question: “Do you really care about people as you conduct your business or do you just care about what they can do for you?”
If we are so busy pursuing sales that we lose site of our customer’s real needs, then we have to look inward and question ourselves about our motives. I don’t have to concern myself with this so much with my fine arts work. In those cases, I create something that I think people will appreciate and if they do they buy it. If they don’t . . . well, maybe I will add it to the collection of great items that no one bought!
But in my work as a graphic designer I must always be guarding my motives. If I really care about people, then I must treat my clients as people. I want the magazines and book covers that I design to help them communicate their story. I want the logos and ads that I design to be effective and reach the intended audience. As I work with clients I must always strive to give them a useful product, rather than just engaging in my creative wishes in an effort to pad my porfolio while producing something that isn’t really what they need.
On the other hand, sometimes I know that where we are on a project is acceptable and they think it is fine, but I know it needs something more to really meet their needs or to be effective. Those are the times that maybe I need to say to myself “It doesn’t matter if this is a quote job, I need to put in more hours than I planned on because this needs to be right.” Sometimes good enough just isn’t good enough and I owe it my client and to my artistic integrity to take it further.
As we celebrate this Holy Week, I am even more strongly aware that I have an obligation to always remember that people were created in the image of God and no matter how flawed I might perceive them to be, they are of infinite worth to God. May I ever be mindful that every single person I work for, interact with, prepare a job quote for, or even collect delinquent bills from, is someone that Jesus was willing to suffer and give His life for.
And if in the meantime I have forgotten your name, please forgive me!
Great words as I persevere, Kevin. Reclaiming divine purpose in the work of our hands!
Indeed. No matter what we are doing it is so easy to get focused on the job, the process, the results, anything but people made in God’s image. The process and the results certainly matter, but if we shortchange people we have it all turned around. Thanks for your thoughts. Certainly enjoying see your work these days!