June 2013
I know its kind of a cliche, but how do you suggest someone find some "direction" in life? I recently moved for my emotional and financial stability, but even though internally I'm feeling a lot better, I don't know where to take life next?
it’s flattering you would ask me this! do i seem like i have figured out my direction? it’s flattering when i get asked design questions! do i seem like i know anything about anything? i am just 1 person out of billions. i don’t know more than anyone else, and i’m happy to admit that.
what is “direction” anyway? every single person is completely different, with different needs, desires, motivations, and happiness. what makes you feel satisfied might not be enough for the next person, what you find most fulfilling in life might be what someone else gave up to find their stability. you need to figure out what makes you the best version of yourself, for yourself. learn what you need to feel comforted, loved, useful, productive, accomplished, and content. learn where you need to be, what you need to be doing, and who you need to be doing it with. it might be sharing your creative mind, it might be raising a child, it might be exploring as much of the world as you can, or it might be enjoying a happy hour drink with the rest of a group you belong to after an engaging work week. the good news is you have an entire lifetime to figure it out.
recently i've gotten a LOT of negative backlash from family members (mainly mom and grandma, but from other assorted fam. members as well) from choosing to do graphic design. I'm set on my plan but I constantly have people trying to dissuade me from pursuing something I'm extremely interested and set on doing. any advice on how to stay positive?
here’s the thing — half the time, you’ll earn a degree in one thing and do something else entirely. think about how many people graduate with fine arts degrees versus the number of full time career artists. it’s not just art, it’s everything. ultimately, what you choose to study does not define who you become.
if graphic design is literally the only thing you’re interested in, then maybe it’s the right choice. work hard, learn as much as you can and pick up additional skills like printmaking, web development, motion graphics, whatever is available and interesting. be the best graphic designer you can be, and then take all of that to your first, second, fifth jobs. do your best and hope for the best. that is literally life.
are there are career paths that are maybe more predictable and traditional? yes, i think so. i have friends who took other paths and landed into jobs immediately after graduation, or those who are on pretty standard med school tracks. those are probably great options and i hope that they will do, or continue to do, really well.
but i also know lots of people who earned degrees in one thing or another who aren’t actively doing anything related to what they studied. or aren’t actively doing anything at all, really. what you study doesn’t define you forever. you can always try, learn, and explore new things. life will surprise you, jobs will push you down different career paths, and you may find that you’re really good at, and enjoy, something you did not expect.
your family is worried about you because they know what we are just figuring out — that life is hard, that priorities and dreams change, and that nothing is guaranteed. they want you to have the best foundation possible so you can achieve everything they know you deserve. choose to be happy by doing something you know you love, but make them proud by being the fucking best at it.
Can we be pen pals?
yes sir!
Adam J. Kurtz
P. O. Box 550
Brooklyn, NY 11211
Do you still make new friends online?
not as often as i maybe once did — i think the age of making friends online has changed a little bit, as our interactions become less personal and more like shouting into space in each others’ directions.
that said, i have made some new “internet friends” and collaborators and inspiration over just the last year, sure. and living in new york helps, because people inevitably come through and then we get to meet up!
also, sometimes i meet people in real life who know me from the internet first and that serves as a sort of ice breaker. i am usually flattered and not creeped out when this happens and it has led to some good things.
Ask Me Anything →
jkjkjkjkjkjkjkjkjkjk.com
ask me anything you want except for:
- negative comments about me
- anything about graphic design
- current employment status
- my relationships or any part of my body below my neck
- opinions on literature, art, film, or culture in general
- questions about new york city, baltimore, or toronto
- anything related to food
- thoughts on my awkward mid-stage hair
- my appearance or mannerisms “in real life”
- anything else
Who the fuck do you think you are mocking Joy Division? Do you think its fucking funny to deface a band like that?
i generally think i am “adamjk” but sometimes i’m not even sure, honestly
what is “joy division,” i keep hearing about it??
Roman in D: Roman Reloaded
Nicki Minaj
i hope everything on the planet gets destroyed and only this is left for other species to find the only artifact of what humans left behind
this is very nice
what type of reactions have you got regarding the "personal space" on your resume?
i think as a whole, my resume design does a good job of incorporating my cleaner and messier aesthetics and serves as a well-rounded introduction. it’s a good way to get to know me — if you hate it for being untraditional, you’ll probably hate me.
May 2013
I Love It (No Pets Allowed Remix)
Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX
Icona Pop | ‘I Love It’ (No Pets Allowed Remix)
Be back later, dancing right now.
this song makes me feel so old. “I’m a 90s bitch” just kills me. I’m 24 going on 80 and this is the final nail in the coffin. I can find solace in knowing both girls were born in the late 80s like me, but charli xcx actually is a teenager. pfkm. this remix is great, I wish it wasn’t. ok, ttyl.
the difference is that I'm just kidding
and you’re not
