Gene,
You've captured a lot of my own experience with your parallel life. Your vehicle of plotting the rise and fall of the graphic-arts/typographic professions via The Boss's albums and career is inspired. I'm not much of a Springsteen listener myself, but I feel your pain, amigo. There's a genuine sadness in your story that I suspect includes a lot of grief for the (sorta) end of our industry, along with your personal tribulations of course.
I hope you pull yourself out of the doldrums soon... the world is still there waiting for fresh eyes to see it. Believe me... I'm only too aware of the challenge.
Remember "Nebraska"?
Everyone has at least one rough patch.
It builds character.
I went through a slump a few years ago and pulled out with the help of an old friend (now sadly gone) and a hands-on, do-it-yourself, physically exhausting backyard project rebuilding a boat.
This little essay of yours shows me you've got plenty left in you.
I hope I don't come off as patronizing--I'm just a fan.
Submitted by BCarli1395 on Fri, 02/13/2009 - 20:18.
I used to use the EditWriter back in the late 'seventies. Looking back on it, it was my introduction to working with computers and files. I never knew it ran on CP/M. What made it so easy to use was that it only did one thing--set type--and almost every command had its own key on the keyboard.
Submitted by marksimonson on Wed, 02/18/2009 - 11:40.
Wow your column hits to close to home Gene so if nothing else just know you are not alone! I dont' have your experience I came into graphic design (acutally working and getting paid for it that is) just as typesetting by hand was going out and Mac was coming in. By the sounds of your articles I'm probably about 12-15 years younger than you, in my early 40s now and fearful - I'm not sure I can keep up with technology as fast as it moves. BUT i read you columns frequently I don't think you can be a good designer web or print without looking at the past and PLEASE keep that in mind when you are looking for what you have to offer next - your experience and knowledge is priceless!
Michelle
Thanks for another entertaining and sincere article, Gene. You're a great writer, and a advocate for us graphic artists who were true craftspeople and started using phototypesetters, finally joining the personal desktop era.
You can relish in the fact that you've seen the industry grow so immensely throughout the last few decades and we look forward to hearing what you have to say as the field continues, inevitably, to change. Thanks, as always, for telling the story of our craft!
Gene, You've captured a lot
Gene,
You've captured a lot of my own experience with your parallel life. Your vehicle of plotting the rise and fall of the graphic-arts/typographic professions via The Boss's albums and career is inspired. I'm not much of a Springsteen listener myself, but I feel your pain, amigo. There's a genuine sadness in your story that I suspect includes a lot of grief for the (sorta) end of our industry, along with your personal tribulations of course.
I hope you pull yourself out of the doldrums soon... the world is still there waiting for fresh eyes to see it. Believe me... I'm only too aware of the challenge.
Best of luck!
"Bruce can inspire me to get
"Bruce can inspire me to get off my ass and find out what I got."
Actually, I'm reading it as "Gene can inspire me to get off my ass and find out what I got."
Most excellent writing, Gene. Thanks for the inspiration.
Billie Brown
Drama Dog Design
Makin' Pages with Bruce
Remember "Nebraska"?
Everyone has at least one rough patch.
It builds character.
I went through a slump a few years ago and pulled out with the help of an old friend (now sadly gone) and a hands-on, do-it-yourself, physically exhausting backyard project rebuilding a boat.
This little essay of yours shows me you've got plenty left in you.
I hope I don't come off as patronizing--I'm just a fan.
Just to let you know, your
Just to let you know, your column is always a bright spot in my day.
CP/M? I had no idea.
I used to use the EditWriter back in the late 'seventies. Looking back on it, it was my introduction to working with computers and files. I never knew it ran on CP/M. What made it so easy to use was that it only did one thing--set type--and almost every command had its own key on the keyboard.
To close to home
Wow your column hits to close to home Gene so if nothing else just know you are not alone! I dont' have your experience I came into graphic design (acutally working and getting paid for it that is) just as typesetting by hand was going out and Mac was coming in. By the sounds of your articles I'm probably about 12-15 years younger than you, in my early 40s now and fearful - I'm not sure I can keep up with technology as fast as it moves. BUT i read you columns frequently I don't think you can be a good designer web or print without looking at the past and PLEASE keep that in mind when you are looking for what you have to offer next - your experience and knowledge is priceless!
Michelle
Keep on Writing, Gene!
Thanks for another entertaining and sincere article, Gene. You're a great writer, and a advocate for us graphic artists who were true craftspeople and started using phototypesetters, finally joining the personal desktop era.
You can relish in the fact that you've seen the industry grow so immensely throughout the last few decades and we look forward to hearing what you have to say as the field continues, inevitably, to change. Thanks, as always, for telling the story of our craft!