Notes, thoughts.

Opinion: Here’s to the Mentors.

Years ago, in my second job, and still a rough round the edges junior, my Creative Director emailed the above to me. Back then, googling wasn’t particularly good at finding stuff, so I was at a loss to know what it was. He wasn’t around to ask, but this struck a chord in me. I copy–pasted the text into illustrator and set it in a nice typeface, printed and mounted it. The next day i asked him what it was, where it came from.

It was an Apple ad, one of the best ads ever made, and one of my Creative Director’s personal favourite. It’s by Chiat Day, and was Steve Job’s first ad after taking the helm of the company back after his unceremonious sacking from the company he founded. 

The ad is absolutely brilliant. But more importantly, I can not understate the effect it has had on my career, and my life, this tiny bit of inspiration sharing. This is something I live by. I try to be fearless in being myself, in having my stubborn opinions, and being crazy ambitious. I’m certain it’s driven me to pull off many of the risks I’ve taken in life, and will hold me in good stead to achieve more. 

I never set out to be liked, or be popular — in fact I rather revel in being the contrarian. In many jobs I’ve had, I’ve often found myself  one of the least liked people in the studio — but I’m never someone to be ignored. But none of this would have happened without that email, a tiny gesture, but knowing him the way I do, by no means was it a whim, or unplanned. Matt knew what he was doing. The choice of material is telling, as well. He wasn’t teaching me to think like him, to copy him — he wanted me to think for myself, stand up for my own ideas and be a rebel, a crazy one. As I write this, I’ve just realised, the impression remains, even in how I describe myself. in my byline on blogs I half jokingly describe myself as “Clinton Duncan is a Graphic Designer, writer and general nuisance living in Sydney”. Quite.

I have the pleasure of having someone to look up to and respect at work, once again. It’s been a long time since I’ve had that. I can feel the difference it is making, even my wife has commented on it. I also had the pleasure of giving back, with teaching at UTS earlier this year. Mentors are important, I guess everyone probably knows that. What’s more important I think is to look back and remember the effect they’ve had on you.

Thanks Matt. Thanks Oliver. I still appreciate it guys.