Thoughts @

on working smarter, not harder

sweden travels

(I wrote this originally over a year ago for Petrula Vrontikis under ‘design heroes’ in a design forum called “Paying Your Dues Without Selling Your Soul” . The links are broken, so I’m posting so designs students can access the article!)

When I look back on periods in my life where I struggled to prove myself and reach the next rung on the ladder of my career, it’s amazing to me to discover how much of what I went through then I am still going through today. Time isn’t as frivolous as it used to be — sleep is more important, as are family and friends. I now know the value of time, and strive to spend it wisely.

I have spent the bulk of my life paying my dues by doing what other people asked of me, and whatever I thought was needed to get the job done. My parents encouraged me to be true to my word. This became my trademark and identifying characteristic – if I said I was going to do something, I would do it, no matter what the consequences.

I started hand lettering in the seventh grade, and won my first client through a family referral. It was my first experience with hard deadlines and all-nighters, and in the process I learned how to estimate my time, and to deliver consistently with quality and few errors.

In the first years of my life in the design and advertising world, I was ‘smart as a whip’ but not the best designer in the house. As a Jr. Designer at Toyota, I paid my dues by learning how to use a stat camera (one that spanned an entire conference room) and create mechanical boards using a wax machine, an X-acto knife, a precise eye and a lot of patience. I helped to hand draw a custom Lexus typeface, and discovered layout, balance and structure. I witnessed the unveiling of the new Toyota logo that I thought looked like a cow brand. While the Japanese saw intersecting ellipses of unity and a subtle ‘T’, I thought it looked like it had come straight out of Texas. It was my first experience with the nuances of cross-cultural design, and how perception might vary from one culture to the next.

In the years following I delved into the advertising and entertainment industry, eventually working as a full-time consultant. “Kelly puts the ‘free’ in the word ‘freelance” my friends would say, as each project was more challenging than the last. My normal mode was to say “sure no problem” and my clients would only see the deliverables – high quality and on time. They weren’t privy to the pain and all-nighters it took to get the final results. I believe I made about $5/hr during that time, but learned a lot in the process. Working in the entertainment world meant a certain pressure was applied at all times to pull off the impossible, whether getting a promotional CD-ROM designed and published in less than two-weeks or to launch a new television network in two-months time. I learned how to manage difficult clients and work with teams in a collaborative (albeit frantic) manner.

Paying my dues has meant setting my vision and intent towards what I truly love, and learning to work smarter, not harder. Through the years, I have had the chance to explore several fields within the world of design and have determined not only what I enjoy, but also what I am good at. Now, at gotomedia, our mantra is “exceed expectations and take vacations.” I am lucky to work with a group of people who actually love the work they do and look forward to Monday mornings.

After more than half my life in the field, I find that the journey has been more important than the destination and that dues are paid along the way, as one continues to learn and grow. Does one ever stop paying their dues? In the design world, especially within the field of innovation and technology – it seems there would never be a time when the dues were paid in full. But the rewards don’t stop either. And that is the seductive draw of being in a field where change is imminent and inspiration comes from constant exposure, learning and experience.

Posted on January 27th, 2007 in Thoughts
Tagged as , , ,
Written by Kelly Goto

8 Responses to “on working smarter, not harder”

Comments

  1. Dave S. says:
    January 27th, 2007

    Hey Kelly, I really liked this article. Missed it the first time around, I’m really glad you re-posted.

    Sometimes it’s really tough when you’re in the thick of day-to-day stuff, to stop and take a breather, look back, and think how far you’ve come. I think 10-years-ago me would be surprised at what that hard work led to, I’m sure you can relate!

  2. Daniel Szuc says:
    January 27th, 2007

    Super post!

  3. Kelly Goto says:
    January 27th, 2007

    Thanks Dave! Coming from you that is QUITE a compliment! I cannot even imagine where you will be in the next decade - but I cannot wait to see. I don’t consider myself so ‘wise’ as to impart knowledge on the next gen … yet … but it’s interesting to think about the concept of setting affirmations and clear goals, putting in hard work and dedicated time, and hoping you have the talent to pull it off. And of course there is luck in there somewhere, but I don’t believe in that as much these days… (preparation + timing = opportunity). And in the end - the real goal is HEALTH and TIME.

  4. tim says:
    January 27th, 2007

    So good to know you’re embracing this, and good advice for everyone…

  5. Tuna says:
    January 27th, 2007

    I too missed this the first time round, but this does ring so true. I too have been on the long journey and you are right, its the time with family an friends and the journey that are important, not the final outcome (mind you tell that to clients.. eh).

  6. Harry says:
    January 27th, 2007

    The fact that we’re paying means it’s all worth it. Keep up the excellent work! :)

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Pingback January 27th, 2007 by adaptive path » blog » blog archive » Signposts for the Week ending February 2, 2007

  2. Trackback January 27th, 2007 by Custom Logo Designer Custom

Leave a Reply

Related Stuff