There was a news report at the end of last year about Americans being stressed and depressed because of the down economy, regardless of whether or not it was seriously affecting them (i.e. losing their job, their house, etc.).

For designers, this hits even harder because there is a stigma to graphic design that it is superfluous – it’s just art, anyone can be a graphic designer, it doesn’t take skill, etc. One thing I’ve noticed in my years working as a designer is that when a company starts losing money, the creative department is the first to go. Design isn’t seen as a commodity, even less so when money is tight

I entered the design field because I love visual communication, but it’s hard to stay motivated when design isn’t really about visual communication. It’s not about expressing an idea; it’s not about critically thinking about the best solution and implementing it; it’s not even about design any more. I just read the best summary of this yesterday:

Design is 70% dealing with people, 3% the idea, 2% selling the idea, 2% the brief, 2% being pig headed, 1% printing, 3% eye for detail, .6% invoices, 2% coffee, .7% tracking, .1% warm glow, .6% panic, 1% 4am, .6% staring, .2% checking, 1% letting go, .8% keeping hold, .7% estimates, .3% checking, .4% proofs, .1% colour, .9% understanding, .4% marketing, 1% checking, .8% beach ball, .5% mice, .3% keynotes, .4% persuasion, .2% bragging, .5% smiling, 2% knowing when to stop. Duane King (via swissmiss)

So how do creatives stay motivated when they’re not able to utilize their strengths – especially when the bad economy can be such a de-motivator? Below is a list of motivational media that I’ve found in the last few months that’s helped me stay motivated and positive.

Stephanie Orma has some great tips for creatives in The slow economy survival guide for graphic designers, copywriters, and creative types, including Embrace web 2.0 marketing by starting a blog, joining twitter and getting your name out there. (Can I get a what what?)

Mark McGuinness offers the free e-book How to Motivate Creative People (Including Yourself). Mark identifies 4 types of motivation: Intrinsic (the attraction of the work), Extrinsic (rewards), Personal, and Interpersonal (social influences). My favorite suggestion for creatives is to simply do something inspiring (or facilitate it).

Gary Vaynerchuk is one of the most inspirational speakers I’ve ever watched because he is so passionate. In his Building Personal Brand speech at the Web 2.0 Expo in New York, Gary talks about achieving your goals and monetizing them.

You need to build brand equity in yourself. If you have brand equity, you will be fine. There is never a bad time when you believe, when you work hard, and when you know what you’re doing, but you have to do what you love.