Don't be a starving artist!

The term starving artist was coined for a good reason. An artist, by nature, is a person that likes to be different and innovative. This is a great trait and it is one of the things that has advanced our culture. There are a few innovative artists that start trends and are seen as being quite different in their presentation. Some of these artists are very successful. Many artists look at this and think that the most important thing an artist can do is to “be true to yourself". In other words, make what you like to make and don’t worry if anyone else likes it or not.

Being “true to ones self" is a common feeling amongst designers. Designing is a passion. My theory is that designing releases endorphins. I do not have any scientific proof of this, only what I have observed first hand. The designer that I live with is happiest when she is designing.

Designing is a pleasurable and relaxing thing to do when there are no constraints or deadlines. Total freedom is the most fertile environment for creativity. Therefore it is easy to see why a designer would want to “do their own thing". This creates the ideal situation for a designer. Unfortunately, in business, there are other things to be considered if you want to make money.

If you want to be a starving artist “being true to yourself" is the best approach to take because the chances are high that you will starve. I am sure that some designers do not like to hear this, but if you want to be successful in business there are much more important things to consider than just making your best designs.

Some might look at famous designers like Calvin Kline, Donna Karan, and others that make outrageous clothing that you see on runway models and say that they are “being true to themselves" and doing what they want to do and making lots of money. But how many people do you know that wear those outrageous designs? Movie stars right? Yes, but they don’t pay for them. They get them for free as advertising for the designers.

If famous designers don’t make their money on their runway fashions, where do these designers make their money? They make their money on jeans, tee shirts, perfume, and accessories that they sell to the masses. This is where they make their money. The most famous designers make their money on things that common people actually wear. That is why they are not starving artists.