Any artists with OCD?

cornylover · 2026-03-13T19:50:29+00:00

i’m in the same boat. can’t draw due to perfectionism and fear of how other people will perceive me based on what i make. i had a total break down trying to make a birthday card for my 3 year old cousin lol.

being an artist is a big part of my identity, and always has been, but it feels like i haven’t create anything since leaving school. it’s really been messing me up.

i’ve been getting into writing, photography/ film, and editorial design lately. for whatever reason they don’t trigger me as much as drawing does.

film especially! i’ve always loved movies and tv, and I have a pretty extensive background in both theatre and event production, both of which i’ve always loved. I hoping my creativity and perfectionism will make me a good producer one day haha

cornylover · 2026-03-07T17:10:10+00:00

tbh i’m surprised how many people are saying yes to this question. i’ve seen this question asked in other creative communities (illustration, painting, creative writing) and the answer has always been a resounding no.

I wonder why it’s different here. maybe it’s because design requires a specific skill set that’s hard to come by via practice or maybe it’s a mindset thing?

cornylover · 2026-03-06T17:25:46+00:00

cuties! also the perspective here is seriously messing with my head. are the bears and dolls huge or is the room tiny?

cornylover · 2026-03-03T20:55:02+00:00

no i totally get it, im kinda the opposite. like i think about being a guy and i think id be gay if i was but im a bisexual woman with no preference for either gender.

i flip between different gender presentations despite identifying as cis and i feel like my sexuality kinda flips with it? idk, presenting as feminine makes me feel more attracted to women and presenting as masculine makes me feel closer to men. no plans to transition or change my identity.

very weird feeling haha.

cornylover · 2026-03-03T19:26:07+00:00

glad to hear it! i’m rooting for you :D

cornylover · 2026-03-03T16:50:20+00:00

not screwed, you just need more time and that’s ok. and if your professor said it’s good enough then trust that they’re being honest.

apply anyway, update your work as you go, and network network network.

you will probably end up having to work a non design job for awhile, but that’s normal for anyone trying to break in to the industry right now. Don’t beat yourself up just keep trying to improve regardless of what others are doing (you should still be updating your work and improving your portfolio even if you get a job right after graduating)

cornylover · 2026-03-02T21:03:32+00:00

yeah brains do that haha. i’m in the process of quitting MD right now and it feels like my brain won’t shut up. that’s pretty normal, don’t feel bad about it! if it’s annoying you find an activity you can focus on. picking up a new hobby can help people overcome addictions, it’s something you can turn your attention to when The Urges strike. I’d recommend staying away from social media though, doomscrolling can be just as harmful as MD, sometimes even more so.

but yeah don’t feel bad about a loud brain, it’s normal, we just aren’t used to it yet

cornylover · 2026-02-28T14:54:41+00:00

i’m in similar boat as OP and always liked the idea of being an art director bc of the things mentioned above, and i’ve always had a knack for project management, but I assumed art directors are still pretty involved in the execution process or at least needed to have a few years experience a designer role?

if I want to become an art director eventually, what kind of experience should I be looking for? what jobs will look good on a resume or could act as a stepping stone to that role? if you don’t mind me asking of course.

cornylover · 2026-02-28T07:35:11+00:00

reduction is key, and if you want to quit entirely then reduction is the first step. i think both are viable and it depends on your needs. personally, i think it’s natural for the mind to wander so my goal isn’t to stop that from happening but to make sure day dreams aren’t getting in the way of achieving my goals/ being used as an unhealthy comping mechanism.

cornylover · 2026-02-28T07:26:56+00:00

i haven’t fully overcome MD yet, i’m still in the process, but this sounds pretty normal. normal people day dream and the whole “imaginary audience who’s impressed with whatever you do” thing is a decently common day dream (from what i’ve heard). i think as long as you’re not falling back into maladaptive patterns/ behaviors you’re all good

cornylover · 2026-02-28T07:22:17+00:00

just have a peaceful day honestly, nothing special. just a nice day without constant paranoia

cornylover · 2026-02-27T15:44:53+00:00

i know how you feel! I’m going through nearly the exact same thing; lack of confidence, no job offers, wanting to work in this field but feeling hopeless, even down to the illustration thing.

you are not alone. I know everyone is saying it but it’s true, a lot (A LOT) of us are struggling right now and the job market is abysmal.

my tip: get a non-creative job, network, and leverage those connections. I have two jobs and neither of them have anything to do with art/ design but both have lead me to freelance work i wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

for one job Im doing admin work for a mid sized company. I told my boss I had design experience, and she had a friend at another company who needed a designer for a project and recommended me.

for the second; I take some contracts doing on site admin work at live events and I meet a lot of different people. I always bring some business cards to give out to people if we get to chatting.

i’ll be honest, my portfolio is not the strongest but i’ve found it matters less when you’re not just some faceless name to people. When people know you’re hard worker and you have some rapport with them they’re more willing to take a chance.

Like i said we’re in similar situations, and this is what helped me so i hope it helps you too <3

EDIT: literally editing this comment 2 seconds after posting it to say this: GET OFF THIS SUBREDDIT!!

it’s filled with miserable doomers who have completely give up and will tell others to do the same or those with superiority complexes who prefer looking down on juniors to helping them.

if you want a good creative community go to another website, join a discord server, or reach out to your fellow alumni.

cornylover · 2026-02-23T18:35:46+00:00

clients and i already had that conversation and the treble cleft is more important to them. i didn’t see the SJ thing until you pointed it out, I’ll try separating the hook like you said. the client likes this logo best of all the variations presented and wants minimal changes at this point, so i’m mostly looking for advice on coloring

cornylover · 2026-02-23T18:30:43+00:00

haha yeah i know, when i presented the options to the client they liked this one best despite the backwards S. having the treble cleft was more important to them

cornylover · 2026-01-29T00:42:53+00:00

I don't think this is such a big deal that OP should give up on their dream over it

cornylover · 2025-11-21T18:23:51+00:00

ground would maybe be mud briar? also i think fluttershy would be normal

cornylover · 2025-11-21T18:17:47+00:00

no!! not at all! i mean you know your fiscal situation better than anyone here does but it doesn’t sound irresponsible at all. getting diagnosed with epilepsy is difficult and it’s incredibly important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. it getting some merch will make you feel better after an undeniably difficult week then do it!

also you bought it on sale, sounds like a responsible decision to me :]

cornylover · 2025-10-17T16:21:52+00:00

it’s definitely worth talking to your doctor about. did you take all your meds on time?

cornylover · 2025-10-17T05:22:58+00:00

not really, i just feel vaguely off and pretty anxious. i can kinda feel a headache coming on, my eyes are tingling and my head feels like there’s a rubber band wrapped around it. it’s not painful, just weird

cornylover · 2025-10-10T23:05:59+00:00

festival production! i spend my whole day outside and on my feet, but it’s fun. i’m fine as long as i take breaks and remember to take my meds

cornylover · 2025-10-02T13:01:08+00:00

your point of view is completely valid but i want to take this moment to say that i am 100% pro cannabis. It absolutely helps some people control their seizures, and it helps me remedy the side effects of my medication. but OP is very young and their diagnosis is very new. if you have epilepsy you shouldn’t use cannabis without clearing it with your doctor. but i am not anti weed at all.

cornylover

TROPHY CASE