Originally posted by neonandmore

From neon signs to art quote installations, this has become a common theme amongst the hundreds of the SOJC’s advertising students’ Instagrams. To be an industry where we promote creative individuality, in some shape or form we have conformed to a certain “aesthetic” that goes against one of our top core values. From all black attire to white walls with green leaves to coffee cups in front of clever quotes, we have lost our sense of self in my opinion. We have been taught that collaboration is key but in times with high tensions surrounding job hunts and nearing towards graduation, competition can get the best of us. And instead of building upon our own unique craft, we take from others to better theirs and then claim it as our own. 

But I do believe that our time in New York gave us an opportunity to appreciate who we are as creative thinkers and to recognize that we will all have different paths to success. Now whether you took advantage of that opportunity or not is another discussion, but being who we are I am sure you all did, and I know I did. We can’t mirror our successes with our classmates or even alumni. We are all going to succeed no matter what if you uphold that mindset. So to those still awaiting jobs, or those who wish you could swap internships with your friends, (even though I’m not that important) I look up to all of you, and I am so proud to be a part of a community where I’m constantly learning from those around me. So with that being said f*ck an aesthetic!! Stop conforming and live lifeeee, let advertising be a flourishing career, not a lifestyle.

Best, Tylynn Burns.