Anyone have a good answer for this? Mine seems to generate blank expressions, or pure confusion… and usually leads them to say… “so you design the labels?” or " is that like graphic design" or “are you an engineer?”
also, if you have an answer that has led to other humorous questions… feel free to share it + ensuing hilarious questions/comments 
“im a designer, but not like the gay ones u see on discovery channel”
True… There’s that ‘design’ channel. Interior and fashion stuff. It makes it sounds like all designers are gay. Kinda sucks. And then there’s Karim.
Yes, i think we need a few famous designers that aren’t freaks, and still known outside the design circle… mentioning loewy, eames, starck, etc. doesn’t ring a bell to 98% of the population. Yet, any fashion designer is a rock star. What gives? And maybe this is part of the problem. If I was a fashion designer, and someone asked what I did, I’d just have to drop a few names, and they’d get it. Our job is arguably more important, with a wider spread influence, and yet our heros are unknown to the majority of the public.
If you wanted public recognition from your work, you should have enrolled in Threater classes!
Get a GRIP … it’s a f’kin’ job, not a popularity contest.
Asking you what you do for a living is a social pleasantry; no one really gives a rat’s ass what you do.
Yeah well…to many people design is all about image - so it only makes sense that there will be a few designers out there who pursue self-image which makes them look “strange” to the normal population. Don’t you know that if you are strange enough, wear weird clothes and have multicolored hair then people will think that you are a talented designer?
I’m joking a bit (of course) but there is some truth to the whole self-image thing. I for one don’t really pursue this method - I just take the asskicking that ID has given me sofar in my career. I don’t even think too much about “what I do” - it’s all experience to me which is meant for my resume and portfolio. Hopefully it all lead somewhere but then again maybe it doesn’t - life is strange like that sometimes. Maybe someday I will have my own company and let my interns ponder upon this question during their lunch breaks.
are you my long lost soulmate?
are you my long lost soulmate?
mmmm… dunno, depends. what color is your vulva … ah, Volvo?
If you wanted public recognition from your work, you should have enrolled in Threater classes!
Get a GRIP … it’s a f’kin’ job, not a popularity contest.
Asking you what you do for a living is a social pleasantry; no one really gives a rat’s ass what you do.
Dang! is this true? I thought I’d be famous…
No,no,no genius, I don’t need personal recognition (although, it’d be nice). I, however would appreciate a glimmer of recognition when I mention my trade.
Oh, here’s one I’ve heard twice in the last week (after I thouroughly explained my job): “so, is there actually a degree for this?” 
…yeah, I am tired of explaining to people what I do… so I just tell them I sell vacuum cleaners and voila, they leave me alone!!
but of course if the person bugging me is a beautiful women, well ok then… I’ll try to explain what I do 
“I don’t need personal recognition (although, it’d be nice).”
Personal recognition can be a bliss to some extent, and sure is in the beginning, but in general it sucks ass on the long haul as you have to hang out in every bloody fashion and womens’ mags there are, always having some “new interesting story” to tell. They need your story and you need their story to stay in business. Particularly dangerous scenario to happen in the lifestyle niche, so beware. You might not know what you are dreaming of. If you get it, then be smart, and keep your home and personal life to your self. That is not always easy.
I would (and do) describe my job as ‘an architect for products’. Similar skillsets, project structure and end result but on a smaller scale. Most of the masters of industrial design studied architecture before ID existed.
Hope the thoughts helped.
I would (and do) describe my job as ‘an architect for products’.
Nice one 10 cent! Maybe I’ll try that route next time.
Personal recognition can be a bliss to some extent, and sure is in the beginning, but in general it sucks ass on the long haul as you have to hang out in every bloody fashion and womens’ mags there are, always having some “new interesting story” to tell. They need your story and you need their story to stay in business. Particularly dangerous scenario to happen in the lifestyle niche, so beware. You might not know what you are dreaming of. If you get it, then be smart, and keep your home and personal life to your self. That is not always easy.
I can see what you mean, a lot of people seem to think fame isn’t all it’s cracked up to be once they acheive it. And yet, most people would sell their kid sister to attain it. But then again, I guess that applies to just about everything… aside from design of course.
check this out… from the core archives:
I say: “I take the wacky ideas from the Vice Presidents, and polish them into something we can use”. We’ve got lots of VP’s with business smarts, but can barely sketch their ideas out.
BTW, thanks for the answers guys, although I did think I’d get a few more clever anecdotes. Anyone else have a philosophical answer that captivates and intrigues? How do YOU stun the ladies with your profession?
check this out… from the core archives:
THanks yo… i checked the first 5 pages of archives before starting this thread, and grew restless…
That was exactly what I was trying to find!
The real problem in ID is like people above who are narrow minded
and full of ego that is afraid to express or even turn it into arts.
There are planty of gays who are IDers and in closet.
I think it’s unprofessional to even say negative things about gay
this gay that because of their sexual orientation.
And now you are calling them “freaks”.
I don’t think you are that normal either. Get some bananas and
take it easy, boy…other wise God will punish your straight ass…
I don’t. I’m straight. And a lady. What an 'ass’umption to make of the Core77 audience.
Yes, i think we need a few famous designers that aren’t freaks, and still known outside the design circle… mentioning loewy, eames, starck, etc. doesn’t ring a bell to 98% of the population. Yet, any fashion designer is a rock star. What gives? And maybe this is part of the problem. If I was a fashion designer, and someone asked what I did, I’d just have to drop a few names, and they’d get it. Our job is arguably more important, with a wider spread influence, and yet our heros are unknown to the majority of the public.
The real problem in ID is like people above who are narrow minded
and full of ego that is afraid to express or even turn it into arts.
There are planty of gays who are IDers and in closet.
I think it’s unprofessional to even say negative things about gay
this gay that because of their sexual orientation.
And now you are calling them “freaks”.
I don’t think you are that normal either. Get some bananas and
take it easy, boy…other wise God will punish your straight ass…
You talking to me gay? Note I made NO link to gays bieng freaks. I was actually referring to Karim bieng eccentric, and that has nothing to do with his orientation. (Besides he’s straight isn’t he?!?)
If your referring to the discovery channel comment, I can’t help you. I don’t watch cable.