The Art of Perseverance

Cartoon from Plesh Creative Group Design Library

During my time as creative director/VP at Rust Craft Greetings in Dedham, MA we had a creative staff of over one hundred and twenty-five talented artists and writers. 

The procedure for screening job applicants involved one of the art directors interviewing the candidate including review of their portfolio. In cases where the art director felt the interviewee exceptional and merited hiring he/she would refer the candidate to me and ultimately the decision would be mine to make.

The corporate policy was such that when staffing was at full capacity new hirings were frozen. 

I recall one candidate clearly because of her perseverance. As a recent graduate of The Rhode Island School of Design she applied for a job as a designer - illustrator at a time when we were fully staffed. One of the art directors interviewed her and was sufficiently impressed to bring her to my attention even though we had no openings for the position. We informed her of our interest and that we would contact her when an opening arose.

One week later the art director informed me that Donna was back and again advised we had no openings. This routine followed the next week and the next. On the fourth visit she told the art director that everywhere she applied she found either that they required an experienced artist or had no openings. She was frustrated at having to work at a convenience store as she looked for a job in the art field and felt she was getting the “run around”. She pleaded with the art director as to how she could ever get the needed experience without an opportunity to work in her chosen field. She went on to say she’d work without pay just to get in the door and gain the needed experience. When he relayed this to me a decision was made to hire Donna and for the first and only time during my eight year tenure at Rust Craft were we “over-staffed” in the creative department . We did not, could not, take her up on her offer to work gratis. She was hired at the designers starting salary with benefits. Donna was hired not only because of her talent but because we were so impressed with her perseverance and desire to work at her chosen field.

About ten years later I founded my own business, Plesh Creative Group, Inc.  At that time I recruited select artists from the many I had worked with through previous years. I contacted Donna, who had since relocated to California and was enjoying success as an established designer. I offered her a freelance contract and, as you might guess, found her salary requirements well beyond my offer. We had a chuckle about that and wished each other well. 

I write this article to encourage young people starting out, and especially in these difficult times, to hold onto your dreams and strive to reach your goal. Along with the development of your skills learn the art of perseverance. Mastering the Art of Perseverance will serve you well, as it did Donna.