Informed Artistry

In “my world” data is king, and when I say “my world” I just mean marketing and public relations. A field that I can admit that I didn’t know much about as a college freshman at Columbia College Chicago but after a very lackluster first semester as a Journalism major, I thought it was worth the switch to find out. That was 2014, and I can go on and on about how much has changed about the industry until now but I don’t want to waste your time. 

So of course it took a lot of reading, analyzing case studies, creating client briefs for projects, and dissecting brands to their core. Now, I can say any industry or even your personal life can benefit from doing a little more research before diving into a new venture. Looking for a new job? I’d suggest not just looking up the responsibilities of the role, but do a deep dive of the company. Connect with someone in the field or your dream company and pick their brain about what their day to day is really like, it’ll help avoid a mismatch.  Now in your personal life, a little background check never hurts. We live in a world where information is easily accessible and you’re just a click away from finding out if you landed a date on an app with someone who is who they say they are or a complete catfish. In both instances, you digging for more saved you from wasting your time and hitting a dead end.

But getting back to business, we’re all artists. We’re all trying to create a new story, setting, or dialog in our lives as we embark on new chapters or working to modify old ones. Your best decisions will come from getting as much information as possible and making an informed gut decision. Even if you’re not sure you’ve made the “right choice”, after you’ll be able to find solace in your facts. You don’t need to be a marketing pro, or building a brand to want to learn more and create. You draft messages all the time, communicating with those close to you, while you’re working, and in the “brand image” you have created for yourself when you walk into a room. 

Now there is a commonly overused statement that “nothing or no one is perfect”. This statement is true, but can’t things be more correct? Your research will never lead to a utopia where things are never wrong, but an informed decision will help you make better choices.
Do you ever have the tendency to doubt the creativity that lives inside of you? It’s a common feeling as a particular idea begins to flourish, it will make sense to you but do you have a hard time believing it will make sense to others?

Crafted By Christian was originally designed to showcase my work experience and other creative ventures, I’ve decided to open it up to be much more. Think of it more like a hub where artists can learn, grow, flourish, and enjoy some stories along the way.

I look forward to connecting with you all next month!