Okay, so this rant is about how some people are completely oblivious to some things. My current task at work is to create a logo. Great, fine, awesome, fun! I enjoy the challenge. I submitted some sketches and they actually liked them. I was asked to 'go the next step further.'

I spent three hours converting just one of my sketches into a digital format. I started in Illustrator and then realized that I had no idea what I was doing. I was simply wasting time so I opted to use Photoshop. I know, shame on me for using the wrong Adobe product. But you know what? At least I know how to use Photoshop so it's better than saying, "F--- this, I quit!"

Now where my anger stems from is my boyfriend. How and why? Well, I was on the verge of tears because I couldn't design this logo. I just couldn't do it. So I turned to him for help. What did he tell me.

Google it.

F---ing google it. Like what the hell? Don't you think I tried that. Not to mention, he thinks I can learn Illustrator in an hours. It took me 10 years to learn Photoshop, and I'm still no expert. How the hell does he expect me to learn Illustrator in a few hours?

So I explained to him that it was an impossible task. I told him there are people who go to school for this. I explained that Illustrator was not a program I learned. I said if I went for Ad Design, Graphic Design, or Industrial Engineering, I might have learned the program that way.

I honestly thought he understood.

But he didn't. He just said, "Well google what you need to know."

What part of "I don't know ANYTHING about Illustrator" doesn't he get? I told him I don't know about the tools or what they do. I said I would have to start with the super basics (so let's say an hour or two learning this). Then I would move onto designing simple things (another two hours). Already four hours into this and I still don't know how to design a logo. I could put lines on a page. But lines on a page do nothing for you unless you know how to manipulate them.

Long story short, I'm beyond pissed. I'm frustrated that I don't know Illustrator, I'm hurt that he doesn't understand, and I feel like a failure because I can't complete my job.

Heh, I'm not even sure I have the mentality to learn the program. I have been looking for night Illustrator classes and I'm literally crying at my desk while doing this. I hate that he can't understand the vast difference between what I do and what he thinks I do.

To put that into simple terms. He's an engineer. I do not expect him to build a bridge or a machine. He doesn't know how to because he studied electrical engineering. I don't know how to "build bridges" either (i.e. use Illustrator) but I do know how to do "electrical stuff" (i.e. use Photoshop).

Ugh, so yeah. I'm just super upset and I have no idea why he can't grasp this reality. To make matters worse, we're going to have to outsource this logo protect because, again, I failed to do it because I was never taught how to.

And please don't say "well learn," because then you just missed the entire point of this rant. It's not what I went to school for. It's not what I was hired for. And it's not something I want to do. I'm a marketer. I'm not a graphic designer.

Would I like to know some basic Illustrator stuff? Sure. Do I want to become an expert? No. I don't have the mindset to learn it. I don't have the drive. I don't have the desire.

Sigh, I'm just ready to leave work and go home. Only issue is... he's home. So I'm trapped. I can't go home because I can't stand him. I don't want to be at work because I feel like I'm a failure. Either way, I'm screwed.

Sigh.

wow i am shocked
does your BF help you with other things?
is this an isolated issue or does it often happen?
i'm a helper so if i knew how*i still can't use photoshop*
i would so totally help you
i really wish i could.
i am hoping someone reads this and has some help to offer.

about your job
is this something that is in your job description?
or is this something new that was thrown in your lap?
can you say i am 'here' but i cannot figure out how to progress?

i'm so sorry you are in this position
i don't like to feel like i let people down either
but, you are not a failure!
how can you fail if you don't know how to do it?!
good luck, sweetie
i hope you find someone who wants to share their expertise

I don't know illustrator otherwise I'd help or give you all the tutorials would need to get what you need to get done. And I understand how you feel right now about not wanting to be by your BF or at Work (school for me xD). Well I suppose.. "sorta know how you feel" would be better. And it seems like there is alot of miscommuncation between you guys. Maybe try explaining it a different calm way, and not blaming him for understand. I'd tell him to be understanding and not just all "google it" but alas I have no communication with him. I understand it's rant but I'll advise you anyway.

Plus this way you'll know someone understand :D

for guys, (in my case) if they aren't Artsy they won't understand those are Artsy.

think of failure as a chance, another chance, to get something right... do it better.

I'm pretty shocked too at how this has progressed. He usually does a decent job listening and understanding me but today... I don't know, he was just focused on telling me how I need to improve myself. Even his most recent text to me was "Well you're smart enough to learn." I don't think he understands how taxing this is going to be. Not to mention, I have other projects to work on. Weighing this design to the other projects... yeah, I'm going to go with the other projects. I mean, we have an ad firm that designed our old logos so they can do this no problem. It takes a weight off my shoulder and it allows me to move forward with other projects that are equally as important.

I guess the part that really hurts me is that he's still pushing me to learn it. I don't know why. It's not like it'll help him. Unless he has a hidden motive and he wants me to learn so I can design logos for him. But... ugh, it's just not what I like doing. Sketching and doodling is fun. Actually designing a logo? Not my forte.

Oh, and no, logo design is not in my job description. My boss is very understanding and said he was more than okay with me seeking help. He didn't even pressure me into learning it, stating that this wasn't something that was necessary for me to know. It's just ironic. The one person who I thought would be disappointed totally gets it. Heck, he was surprised I made it as far as I did. So in his book, I'm golden. In my boyfriend's... I feel like a fallen Pidgey (lawlz, Pokemon reference).

As far as taking a calmer, more rational approach, it's actually how I started. It just spiraled downward from there to the point of me text-yelling and, well, ignoring him now. I'm thrilled that his has faith in me and believes I'm capable of this, but I'm just not seeing a logical reason to learn. This is a one time deal (my boss told me this) so learning it seems pointless. And when I try to explain that, he goes on to tell me that nothing is 'pointless.' Sigh, I think he's just in an argumentative mood today. Or maybe he's just not in the mood to support me. Heh, he's probably still pissed that I went to work in this blizzard.

---------- Post added 02-05-2014 at 11:45 AM ----------

JGHIOESWIARPIGJWOAKJG

Are you kidding me?!?

So I just sent the design to our ad firm. They love the idea and are impressed that I was able to design it in Photoshop. They're now recreating the image in Illustrator and will have it to me by tomorrow.

So happy that it 1) liked and 2) doable in such a short period of time. Then again, this firm makes logos for a living. I really think that was my main level of frustration with my boyfriend. That he didn't understand that people design logos and graphics for a living. And by telling me do learn how was pretty much telling me to learn another job. x_x

At least one of my stressers is now put to bed. Now to deal with the boyfriend....

yay!
i'm happy to hear that

I'm sorry to had that you had a bad day Xavi. If I was there I totally would have helped you with designing the logo using Illustrator. I'm no expert, but I know enough to make logos and vector art using the program. It does stink that the BF couldn't understand the issue though. I'm kind of wondering if maybe he thinks that since you're in marketing that it encompasses what your actual job is and the art aspect of marketing/advertising as well. Anyway I'm glad that logo issue has been resolved. Good luck with the BF.

I'm glad for you Xavi! :D

Congrats on the final result, though I understand your frustration on the entire thing, and people's incompetence at helping in any way when one is frustrated.

I had my roommate (a CS major) tell me to self teach myself a few computer languages and then that will get me a job (I have a bachlor of architecture). I was livid for quite a few days at exactly how ignorant he was at both the job market system, and the mere idea that his degree (which he went to school for 4 years for) could be learned within a month via google.

So I am also in a giant need to rant section of life so here it goes...

I am unemployed, I have not had consistent, permanent work for years now, all from out of school. Really I am needing the right step in the right door to get me started. What I want to do with my life is sell LEGO artwork/sculptures. This is ultimately very similar to starving artist, just the medium is LEGO. SO a year ago I started up my own company/ freelance company name. Business is/was small, I had 1 client, 1 gig, nothing more. It has grown to 4 things sold (about to be 5), and all new clients/commissions. In one year, this is a lot of progress as far as I am concerned.

This brings me to my first point, my unemployed issue. I have been living with friends for months now, I am glad they are housing me, but at the same time I have lost any and all respect for them in doing so. Above short rant is part of it. I was/am trying to get a job out of my field I went to college for (trying to become a business analyst). Short reason, the pay. Architecture does not pay enough for me to live on my own, let alone pay my bills from college. The other does. I have been in training, and finished it, and now am in the interview process of the entire endevor. My training company helps place me, this means I get phone calls, and interviews with little notice. This is great, but sometimes, like all job hunting, phone calls don't equal interviews, interviews don't always equal a job, so still unemployed.

Now to get back to my roommates, I am pretty sure they don't listen to me, and sadly to say I am pretty sure they don't think anyone listens to each other. They also clearly can't put 2 and 2 together, despite both having a degree in computer science from a prestigious college. A few nights ago they told me I need to be moved out by April 1st. Ok, this is a hard date, I semi knew was coming, but I have a few months till it shows up. When they asked "Where am I going next?" my response was: I am not thinking about it at the moment, I'll figure it out when it gets closer. (short version of I have enough other shitty things going on in my life, being told 2 months from now I will out of a house is added to the pile, but not immediate). They then repeated their question to me, followed by me explaining that as unemployed as I am, this means find out of possible job to have job can be as short as 2 weeks. (This almost happened in January). This also means I can't take a low paying 9-5 job, as I have to be able to answer my cell phone, and go into interview with very little notice. My life is in enough flux, that 2 months planning is impossible, as I can barely look beyond tomorrow or the end of the week. They then told me" you should have 2 months planned out".... (didn't I just go over why that isn't possible?)

So conversation continues, and somewhere in there, I say that my LEGO business can't pay for rent, hence life still in flux. (also if I could pay rent, I would not be living with them anymore, they keep their house as disgusting mess due to lazy and neglectfulness, and then blame it all on the cats). They then say, "but we don't know that" (in reference to the LEGO business paying rent). So question, 4-5 pieces sold in a year.... is suppose to pay rent on what planet? I am not michangelo, or anyone else that can charge $10,000 a piece, I can barely even charge $1,000, and all of that doesn't account for my material cost which is normally 1/3 - 1/2 my cost on a good day (some times up to 75%). This drives me nuts, because as the people who are telling me that I can't stay rent free anymore (as I say grateful of), they lack the understanding to understand that I can't pay for rent in my current state. Paying my storage unit rent is the biggest bill I have, and I sometimes can't pay that....

Somehow conversation continues... into a debate of unable, vs. unwilling. This got started because my business, when i started it, I decided to pay for a domain name (these can be super cheap). I had $25 at the time that I could put into the business for my website. I pay that fee again now. I do not have $20 currently that I can spare to make business cards that I am happy with. Issue with a design degree, I won't half ass anything with my name on it unless client approves it. When it comes to my website, or my business cards, (where ultimately only I care how good they look), I want it designed perfectly before printing them, because I have to look at them for the rest of the time. I know I have not found an image i am happy with for my business cards. I also know that my website serves it's purpose, but ultimately does very little of what i want a website to do. I am willing to spend money to upgrade both, but I am unable to (due to financial strain), to at the moment. My roommates argument is that if you are unable to, then you are unwilling to. I wanted to slap him for this as well. He was trying to convince me to either learn, or have someone else teach me, how to make my website. Website designers cost less than $100, normally more in the $20-60 range for what I want. A) I am unwilling to learn a program to save $20 for the at most one a year I need it.(I am able to learn it) B) The business cards aren't finished less because of money, more because I haven't finished designing them. Somehow the you don't have money = learn how to do it so you can do it for free for yourself, which somehow makes more sense than spend the many hours trying to learn a skill you are needing once, rather than spending the time searching for a job so that you can pay someone else to do the work........(when you don't have any interest in learning the skill just for fun).

This conversation made me super angry at his ignorance of the world, and both how business and job anything goes, let alone any view into my life (which boils down to I am extremely depressed, but am trying to crawl out of a hole, and the only thing going well/ keeping me going is LEGO)

(FYI this same roommate who thought everyone at a company gets paid the same, so an accountant gets paid the same salary as a developer who gets paid the same as tech support)

RAWWWR

I think unfortunately, the way he expressed himself to you was not something you were looking for. He seems like a very direct/logical person and if you had stated he's an engineer you must understand he has a different mindset. He's matter of a fact.

Where, I believe you wanted him to give you more insight how to use Illustrator than direct advice. He kinda just stated the obvious. Really, anyone could think, "I'll google it". I'd like to say that you shouldn't be too upset at him because he has that different outlook. I guess you could put it into perspective, that he uses his own advice on himself to figure something out. I feel like he might of had the best intention for you, and like stated, felt you were capable.

Maybe in the next conversation, state to him that you don't want this "matter of the fact" direct statement but more of an emotional support or something of that standard.

I can definitely understand the being comfortable in one program and suddenly learning another and how frustrating it is. I'm a Game Major, and I have to constantly try use all different kinds of programs. I'm pretty strong in most of the Adobe products.

Illustrator is similar to Photoshop, but I think the best bet would be to practice with the pen tool in Photoshop first. I can show you how to use Illustrator; maybe later this week. I'll actually be using it to create some artwork, so I can take screenshots and give little tips?

Originally Posted by d2hiriyuu

Congrats on the final result, though I understand your frustration on the entire thing, and people's incompetence at helping in any way when one is frustrated.

I had my roommate (a CS major) tell me to self teach myself a few computer languages and then that will get me a job (I have a bachlor of architecture). I was livid for quite a few days at exactly how ignorant he was at both the job market system, and the mere idea that his degree (which he went to school for 4 years for) could be learned within a month via google.

So I am also in a giant need to rant section of life so here it goes...

I am unemployed, I have not had consistent, permanent work for years now, all from out of school. Really I am needing the right step in the right door to get me started. What I want to do with my life is sell LEGO artwork/sculptures. This is ultimately very similar to starving artist, just the medium is LEGO. SO a year ago I started up my own company/ freelance company name. Business is/was small, I had 1 client, 1 gig, nothing more. It has grown to 4 things sold (about to be 5), and all new clients/commissions. In one year, this is a lot of progress as far as I am concerned.

This brings me to my first point, my unemployed issue. I have been living with friends for months now, I am glad they are housing me, but at the same time I have lost any and all respect for them in doing so. Above short rant is part of it. I was/am trying to get a job out of my field I went to college for (trying to become a business analyst). Short reason, the pay. Architecture does not pay enough for me to live on my own, let alone pay my bills from college. The other does. I have been in training, and finished it, and now am in the interview process of the entire endevor. My training company helps place me, this means I get phone calls, and interviews with little notice. This is great, but sometimes, like all job hunting, phone calls don't equal interviews, interviews don't always equal a job, so still unemployed.

Now to get back to my roommates, I am pretty sure they don't listen to me, and sadly to say I am pretty sure they don't think anyone listens to each other. They also clearly can't put 2 and 2 together, despite both having a degree in computer science from a prestigious college. A few nights ago they told me I need to be moved out by April 1st. Ok, this is a hard date, I semi knew was coming, but I have a few months till it shows up. When they asked "Where am I going next?" my response was: I am not thinking about it at the moment, I'll figure it out when it gets closer. (short version of I have enough other shitty things going on in my life, being told 2 months from now I will out of a house is added to the pile, but not immediate). They then repeated their question to me, followed by me explaining that as unemployed as I am, this means find out of possible job to have job can be as short as 2 weeks. (This almost happened in January). This also means I can't take a low paying 9-5 job, as I have to be able to answer my cell phone, and go into interview with very little notice. My life is in enough flux, that 2 months planning is impossible, as I can barely look beyond tomorrow or the end of the week. They then told me" you should have 2 months planned out".... (didn't I just go over why that isn't possible?)

So conversation continues, and somewhere in there, I say that my LEGO business can't pay for rent, hence life still in flux. (also if I could pay rent, I would not be living with them anymore, they keep their house as disgusting mess due to lazy and neglectfulness, and then blame it all on the cats). They then say, "but we don't know that" (in reference to the LEGO business paying rent). So question, 4-5 pieces sold in a year.... is suppose to pay rent on what planet? I am not michangelo, or anyone else that can charge $10,000 a piece, I can barely even charge $1,000, and all of that doesn't account for my material cost which is normally 1/3 - 1/2 my cost on a good day (some times up to 75%). This drives me nuts, because as the people who are telling me that I can't stay rent free anymore (as I say grateful of), they lack the understanding to understand that I can't pay for rent in my current state. Paying my storage unit rent is the biggest bill I have, and I sometimes can't pay that....

Somehow conversation continues... into a debate of unable, vs. unwilling. This got started because my business, when i started it, I decided to pay for a domain name (these can be super cheap). I had $25 at the time that I could put into the business for my website. I pay that fee again now. I do not have $20 currently that I can spare to make business cards that I am happy with. Issue with a design degree, I won't half ass anything with my name on it unless client approves it. When it comes to my website, or my business cards, (where ultimately only I care how good they look), I want it designed perfectly before printing them, because I have to look at them for the rest of the time. I know I have not found an image i am happy with for my business cards. I also know that my website serves it's purpose, but ultimately does very little of what i want a website to do. I am willing to spend money to upgrade both, but I am unable to (due to financial strain), to at the moment. My roommates argument is that if you are unable to, then you are unwilling to. I wanted to slap him for this as well. He was trying to convince me to either learn, or have someone else teach me, how to make my website. Website designers cost less than $100, normally more in the $20-60 range for what I want. A) I am unwilling to learn a program to save $20 for the at most one a year I need it.(I am able to learn it) B) The business cards aren't finished less because of money, more because I haven't finished designing them. Somehow the you don't have money = learn how to do it so you can do it for free for yourself, which somehow makes more sense than spend the many hours trying to learn a skill you are needing once, rather than spending the time searching for a job so that you can pay someone else to do the work........(when you don't have any interest in learning the skill just for fun).

This conversation made me super angry at his ignorance of the world, and both how business and job anything goes, let alone any view into my life (which boils down to I am extremely depressed, but am trying to crawl out of a hole, and the only thing going well/ keeping me going is LEGO)

(FYI this same roommate who thought everyone at a company gets paid the same, so an accountant gets paid the same salary as a developer who gets paid the same as tech support)

RAWWWR

I'm so glad you get my pain. Granted, I wish it wasn't because of your current situation, but at least we're in the same boat together -- at least with the clueless people part.

It really is hard to explain to someone why it's not worth it. They can toss a million and one reasons at you and, in the end, they still don't get it. Even after repeatedly telling my boyfriend that I have no desire to learn the program, he insisted that I do so. Being ill-tempered at that point, I told him to learn it and, when he becomes a master at it, I'll learn it. Let's just say it turned into one messy argument that ultimately didn't address the real issue -- his lack of understanding.

I get it. Some people are naive and others are all about being go-getters. Gotta push the hardest! Gotta do the impossible! Gotta learn all the things. But... that's tiring. It's time consuming. And it costs money. And, as we all know, time is money.

So like your website and business cards, putting forth the extra money just isn't something I want to do with learning Illustrator. Sure, it would be nice to know but do I need to know it? No. There are professionals who do that. It's one thing if I wanted to do it, but since I have no interest, why should I be forced into it? I can only imagine what it'll be like. I'll be moody, miserable, and constantly failing due to my lack of desire.

I honestly cannot believe your current roommates and their lack of compassion and sensitivity to what's happening. From what I read and the passion you put behind that post, I can tell that you're not living there because you never want to get a job. It's clear that you're a driven individual and you want to take life back into your own hands. What I don't get is why they can't see that. You're trying and you're doing your damn best with what you've been dealt currently. And them asking about your future? Psh, since when is that their business? Since when do you owe them a detailed response? I totally agree with the one month at a time approach. Why be a dreamer or hopeful? Realism is the best way to approach this timely situation, in my opinion.

I really do hope things work out for you. I'm rooting for so many people in your situation right now. My best friend can't find a job and she's an industrial engineer. She's worried that she'll have to move in with her mom and pick up a fast food job or sell her art (much like your LEGO art).

Heh, and then there's people like my boyfriend. He has a job. And he wants to quit it. Why? Because he works 50+ hours a week. As soon as he's over 40 hours, he gets overtime. He could easily bring home 60k to 75k a year if he kept this up. If I were him, I would milk that system. Not everyday you get to get paid for overtime. Hell, when I work 50 hours a week, I still only get to count 40 hours of it. I'm salary so there's absolutely no benefit for me to work later. And yet I do because... well, principle.

I guess it just goes to show the kind of people we all are. Some of us are extremely driven but are trapped due to outside forces. Others are motivated by leisure and money, seeking easy, high paying jobs. And then there are those who don't care one way or another. Guess it's part of the charm that makes us human.

Still, it sucks. To work your butt off only to be told "you can do better." -_-

---------- Post added 02-06-2014 at 08:52 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Flowery Pit

I think unfortunately, the way he expressed himself to you was not something you were looking for. He seems like a very direct/logical person and if you had stated he's an engineer you must understand he has a different mindset. He's matter of a fact.

Where, I believe you wanted him to give you more insight how to use Illustrator than direct advice. He kinda just stated the obvious. Really, anyone could think, "I'll google it". I'd like to say that you shouldn't be too upset at him because he has that different outlook. I guess you could put it into perspective, that he uses his own advice on himself to figure something out. I feel like he might of had the best intention for you, and like stated, felt you were capable.

Maybe in the next conversation, state to him that you don't want this "matter of the fact" direct statement but more of an emotional support or something of that standard.

I can definitely understand the being comfortable in one program and suddenly learning another and how frustrating it is. I'm a Game Major, and I have to constantly try use all different kinds of programs. I'm pretty strong in most of the Adobe products.

Illustrator is similar to Photoshop, but I think the best bet would be to practice with the pen tool in Photoshop first. I can show you how to use Illustrator; maybe later this week. I'll actually be using it to create some artwork, so I can take screenshots and give little tips?

You hit the nail on the head with him. He's all about being practical, logical, and direct. He very much fits the stereotypical engineer profile.

But your advice:

state to him that you don't want this "matter of the fact" direct statement but more of an emotional support or something of that standard.

is perfect. I actually just sent him something like this, after reading your suggestion, and he came back with, "Okay. I'll try to keep that in mind."

And if you could do that little tutorial, that would be fantastic! I'm familiar with the pen tool (actually used it to make the logo in Photoshop) but I don't get everything else in Illustrator. I don't even get how the layers work. >.< I feel like such a newb. And it's hard to find a good tutorial these days that actually covers exactly what you want to learn.

Yes. The layers situation is very different than Photoshop. Mainly because there's no transparency. So, you can totally throw out Photoshop's layers out the window in Illustrator.

Hopefully, maybe Friday, I can show you something.

You shouldn't feel bad that you can't learn a program in the next day. There's a lot of people who never touched Photoshop ever. I never touched Fireworks or InDesign ever, and I think being pushed into it, for a work related subject is almost like a heart attack on a stick. You just need time. Don't worry.