DAY 039 – DESIGNING DANGEROUSLY
Effective vs. Ineffective
How do we ascertain how effective our work is? How do we know how effective or ineffective we’re being? Where’s the art metric, so we can know exactly how we rank compared to everyone else?
As far as a measuring stick, there isn’t one. Rather, there’s a feedback ecosystem comprised of many things. Success, regardless of how lucrative the work is, how famous you are, is still a quiet discussion within. How many times do we need to watch culture-shapers end their lives before we stop looking to others to define our success? We won’t, because we’re programmed as social creatures that crave that group affirmation and an understanding of our position in society. But we can continue to try to push the dial, inch the needle further away from our self worth and identity, and toward a truth where we are not the center.
The ecosystem of affirmation is comprised of several questions: Does the work please you? Do people seek you out to let you know their emotional response to your work (not opening night, there is only one hyperbolic conversation that can happen on opening night)? Do people continue to hire you? Are your colleagues pleased with the work? Is there an open dialog? Do you see a way forward? Was truthfulness your aim? Are you growing?
As a sound designer, I cannot rely on affirmation from critics or the general public, because the work is often not recognized. To base my creative identity in that would be a great disappointment. I receive information on opening night (and previews) from the audience without them recognizing my work. I’m able to journey with them undercover, listen to their breathing, laughter, crying, intermission conversation. I receive a certain amount of information from institutions based on whether they hire me again or not. But I can’t base my personal identity solely on that, because in terms of repetition I naturally am white-hot at certain theatres and cold at others. There are economics at play, and to read the lack of an invite back as rejection would be a roller coaster ride. The one I’ve been coming back to recently is “Does the work please me? Does this work please the people I trust?”