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Thoughts
I'm writing today because I just wanted to talk about something. It's something I think I've learned that I want to share. I know there's a lot of "What I've learned" advice out there but no matter how much advice I read, it's still always interesting.
I'm at the point where I've been around enough that I can go to portfolio reviews to look at portfolios and to interact with younger students. I love discovering talent and finding that one unique aspect about someone that I'll never forget. I love looking through a group of books from a class and then finding the talented kid who worked with everyone else to make their books better. There is something about believing in someone and putting hope in them. I guess it's just something that makes us human, that makes us progress towards the future.
I'm also at the point where I'm still very young and need people to believe in me. I think about my first job offer and to this day, I'm still thankful that person looked at what I had and believed in me. I even wonder if I would hire myself from 4 years ago. Therefore, when I see books now, I know I can't judge exactly to the level I see things now but to the level I was when I was in their position.
So it's interesting for me now to see things from both points of view. To be a mentee seeking new mentors but also a mentor searching for mentees. But I think all of us are in this position. As we learn from others, we teach and pass on to others. And the more we pass on, the more we should want to learn.
You go through life meeting a lot of different kinds of people. Some people don't even see you and walk by you. Some people just don't like you and it's nothing you did. Some people are nice to you but then forget you. And then there are some people who you just spend a brief moment together but develop this bond. It's just something you just feel and hard to describe.
It's like you're old friends who just met.
So as Thanksgiving comes in about a month, take a moment to be thankful to those who believe in you and return the gesture.
Posted by bryan chiao | Permalink
Comments
Nice to be talented. Nice to be humble enough to share the talent and keep everything in perspective.
Posted by: Greg Christensen | Oct 23, 2008 7:04:53 AM
So so so true, though I've found that some people no matter how good they are just don't get the whole mentor thing, which is a shame.
Nice post.
Posted by: Christopher de beer | Oct 23, 2008 9:02:40 AM
So so so true, though I've found that some people no matter how good they are just don't get the whole mentor thing, which is a shame.
Nice post.
Posted by: Christopher de beer | Oct 23, 2008 9:04:40 AM
I can understand. Something Caley said in class once stuck with me and rings true to this "You teach best what you most need to learn".
Posted by: Ayasha | Oct 25, 2008 2:52:37 AM
Hi,
As a final study project, I'm making a fake MTV show questioning the relation between art and advertising. One on the judges is supposed to be an art gallery owner, and I'd like him to quote you (the thing I hate the most about advertising is that it attracts all the bright...").
Would you let me do that ?
Thanks a lot
Jerome
Posted by: Jerome | Oct 28, 2008 2:51:43 PM
You're inspiring, Brian. Hope I run into you again soon. (or we can arrange that)
Posted by: Johanna | Oct 29, 2008 11:51:02 AM
Ugh, total slip /typo there. Sorry, BrYan! I should reread before hitting "post" more often.
Posted by: Johanna | Oct 29, 2008 11:51:54 AM
Hey Jerome, that quote was from Banksy though~!
Posted by: Bryan | Oct 30, 2008 3:51:05 PM
very refreshing post. it made me stop for a moment, think, and re-collect myself.
thanks bryan.
Posted by: violet | Nov 4, 2008 1:18:20 PM
nice to see you posting again. hope you are well!
Posted by: karen | Nov 6, 2008 3:44:18 PM
sadly no one wants to believe in me ;(
I hope one day.
Posted by: R.Bofill | Nov 8, 2008 2:14:54 PM
this is amazing :)
i've encountered so many incredible people at my internship, through my education, and within the design community. and there is a handful of people who have seen something in me and pulled things out of me i never knew i had. i don't think they'll ever know just how much they've impacted me. i don't know if they'll know the extent to which they shaped me. i should let them know.
this post also reminds me that we are all human. one of my faults is the tendency to place people on a pedestal, but lately i've been realizing that we are all human. on the one side of that is the fact that i can no longer peg people as super-heros. on the other side is the idea that there's no distance between me and a chief creative director. titles, accomplishments, monetary worth. none of these change the fact that every human being feels and needs. status is irrelevant. and that feels very hopeful to me and has been helpful in making some good friendships that i otherwise wouldn't have pursued.
anyways, just wanted to let you know that i was feeling what you're feeling! nice to come across this.
Posted by: izzie zahorian | Jan 27, 2009 10:16:44 PM
Very inspiring man.
I would like to see at each others portfolios.
It would be nice. I need some help with mine.
Posted by: Nicolas Cuervo | Mar 12, 2009 9:14:54 PM
In an industry where people are out for themselves, it's nice to see that every once in people lend a helping hand, or something positive enforcement. When they do it always makes a difference.
Posted by: golublog | Apr 7, 2009 12:39:16 PM
Your entry inspires me alot. :)
Posted by: mel | May 24, 2009 2:42:54 AM
