The Path Not Taken
Louis Danziger, Condi
For the past week I’ve been cranky, very, very cranky. There was a guy at the locker below mine at the gym who was getting dressed slowly and staring at the wall while I waited to get into my locker. I restrained myself from slamming him against the wall. Driving home yesterday, a minivan with the stickers of the family cut me off twice before deciding to turn right from a left hand lane. I wanted to follow them and drag the driver from the car. And I seem to be getting the message that no good deed goes unpunished repeatedly. Clearly less coffee is in order. I am then reminded that some of my heroes are the most patient and compassionate people I know.
Most Mondays at Art Center, I see Lou Danziger working with a student in the Faculty Dining room. He is doing the same thing with patience and invaluable help that he did with me when I was in school. Back then, I thought, “That makes sense, I’ll try that.” Now I realize how fortunate I was to work with Lou. It seems that there are two courses that you can follow as a designer. You can become increasingly bitter and angry and deride younger designers, or you can give back, mentor others, and champion younger designers. Lou clearly chose to be a mentor. I’m at that fork in the road where I need to make that choice. Perhaps I will choose to be a good mentor to designers, but a serious a-hole to people on the street.
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- Lous Danziger, Condi
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- Lou Danziger, Chemtrol
April 2nd, 2010 at 3:21 pm
You and Noreen were great mentors during my brief time with you. I think you started a long time ago Sean.
April 2nd, 2010 at 4:39 pm
I don’t know Sean,… that minivan sounds like they were asking for it. You should have pulled one of the kids out though, kill it before it grows, that’s what I say
)
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:14 pm
Sean:
I keep hearing stories about you and Rahm Emanuel attacking people in locker rooms. Did the guy in the gym go on to tickle his employees, too? (On another subject, I’m calling Guido in Vegas to see what the book on the fight between you and the lady in the minivan is. I want in on that action.)
Just a couple of days ago I was talking to some young designers far away from ArtCenter–seniors at East Carolina University–about their experience at an AIGA Raleigh portfolio review. I told them about showing my portfolio to Lou when I decided to go to grad school. It wasn’t what you would call a positive review but it was a great experience and I still think about it twenty years later. I learned more about design in a couple of hours with Lou than I did in the next couple of years in school.
April 3rd, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Thank you Sean for posting this! Recently, one of my design mentors basically expressed his frustration working in the design industry, and gave me warning about burn out and the eventual onset of bitterness. As a recent graduate it was disheartening to hear this information. However, I have come to the conclusion that there are things that you must do and practice as a designer to remain fit and healthy, so that you don’t experience burnout to the degree that you become some cranky (to use your term), old stodge spewing bitterness.
As a “young designer” I very much appreciate your insight and comments about mentoring and championing younger designers rather than deriding them. It only helps to improve and grow the profession as it matures!
April 5th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
I’m sure you’ll be nothing but generous as time goes by.
April 5th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
what wonderful advice. I’ll use that next time.
April 6th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I enjoy seeing these after so many years.. They still look pretty good to me even though the most recent piece in the group is 50 years old. It also reminds me of the circumstances what went on with all of pieces. For me there is a story with every piece.
Where ever did you get the image of the folder that I designed for the Los Angeles Advertising Women’s Club (The Lulu Awards Invitation)? I loved that when I did it as it was very tricky and could be fun folding it every which way and still get interesting configurations. It is at least 60 years old and I haven’t seen it for almost that amount of time. I just remembered that Charles Eames liked it when I showed it to him.
In the Condi Furniture catalog cover. The person on the telephone is James Cross, I thought you would be interested in knowing that.
April 7th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Lou, thanks for the additional info. It’s great that Jim’s on the Condi piece. The Lulu awards piece is remarkable. I’ve noticed that it’s been making the rounds in the blogosphere after this post. Thanks for the great work and reminding how to take the higher road.