The Secrets to Work-Life Balance as an Artist in 2024

e r g o j o s h
2 Apr 202423:39

TLDRIn this video, Ergo Josh shares insights on becoming a successful digital artist, emphasizing the importance of self-management, balancing hard and soft skills, and mental health. He discusses the significance of storytelling, video editing, and the use of tools like Tourbox for enhancing productivity. Josh also highlights the value of continuous learning, archiving, and experiencing life outside of art to maintain creativity and personal growth.

Takeaways

  • 🎨 Embrace the unique journey of becoming a digital artist, as everyone's path will differ.
  • 📅 Develop a planning system that works for you to manage tasks and goals effectively.
  • 🎯 Focus on both hard skills like storytelling, video editing, and cinematography, as well as soft skills such as communication and networking.
  • 🌟 Utilize tools like Tourbox to enhance your workflow and efficiency in creating digital art.
  • ✍️ Practice archiving and bookkeeping to organize your work and track your progress over time.
  • 🧠 Prioritize mental health by managing stress, setting boundaries, and creating a positive online environment.
  • 💡 Engage in regular growth and new experiences outside of art to maintain a well-rounded creative practice.
  • 📚 Continuously learn and adapt by studying your own work and that of others in your field.
  • 🚫 Don't be afraid to remove or hide comments that do not align with the community you wish to build.
  • 🌈 Balance your creativity by exploring other interests and activities outside of your primary creative focus.

Q & A

  • What is the main challenge Ergo Josh addresses in the video?

    -The main challenge Ergo Josh addresses is the frustration and confusion that comes with building a career as an independent digital artist, and the difficulty in knowing where to start and how to balance various aspects of the creative journey.

  • What does Ergo Josh emphasize about everyone's artistic journey?

    -Ergo Josh emphasizes that everyone's artistic journey will be different, and that's a good thing. He encourages viewers not to copy everything he or any other creator does, but to use their experiences for comparison and contrast to find their own path.

  • What is the role of Tourbox in Ergo Josh's workflow?

    -Tourbox is a device that Ergo Josh uses in his daily work. It helps him with various tasks, and he mentions that he will discuss its features later in the video.

  • How does Ergo Josh recommend managing oneself as an artist?

    -Ergo Josh recommends finding a way to plan what you want to do on a regular basis, starting with small and medium-sized goals. He suggests using a digital calendar, timeline, or a physical agenda or notebook. He also emphasizes the importance of taking initiative in designing your life.

  • What is the significance of storytelling in Ergo Josh's work?

    -Storytelling is significant in Ergo Josh's work as it helps guide the viewer through his artwork and educational videos. He believes that every single thing he does can be broken down into text and that creating a narrative is crucial for effective communication and engagement.

  • Which skills does Ergo Josh highlight as important for artists in the digital age?

    -Ergo Josh highlights the importance of video editing, cinematography, and using multiple senses to convey information. He also mentions the value of learning how to craft and shape light for different moods in videos and artwork.

  • How does Ergo Josh use Descript in his video editing process?

    -Ergo Josh uses Descript as a text-based video editing software. It allows him to navigate his footage and make changes in a word document processor format, which he finds efficient and time-saving. He also appreciates its AI feature that helps identify and delete unnecessary retakes.

  • What is the Tourbox Elite's role in Ergo Josh's editing workflow?

    -The Tourbox Elite enhances Ergo Josh's editing workflow by allowing him to map various buttons and dials to different tools and commands within DaVinci Resolve. It provides a mechanical feel, haptic feedback, and a Bluetooth 5.0 connection for a cleaner workspace.

  • How does Ergo Josh approach managing his mental health in relation to his creative work?

    -Ergo Josh sets specific times to check and respond to comments and emails, avoiding constant interruptions. He also refrains from checking the performance of his new videos or artwork immediately after posting, focusing instead on his next project to maintain motivation and perspective.

  • What advice does Ergo Josh give for maintaining creativity and avoiding burnout?

    -Ergo Josh advises making time for growth and new experiences outside of art, such as studying anatomy, pursuing other interests, and engaging in physical activities. He believes that experiencing other forms of creation helps recharge and grow as an artist.

  • How does Ergo Josh feel about the importance of learning new skills and devices for artists?

    -Ergo Josh believes that learning new skills and devices can greatly stimulate the mind and help artists stand out from the competition. He encourages artists to keep an open mind, stay excited about their creations, and give themselves time to master new techniques.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Journey of a Digital Artist

The speaker, Ergo Josh, introduces the topic of becoming a digital artist, acknowledging the challenges and confusions of starting an independent art career. He shares his six-year experience and emphasizes the importance of understanding that everyone's journey is unique. Josh aims to provide a grounding perspective, not to replicate his methods, but to offer a comparison for others. He mentions the video's sponsor, Tourbox Tech, and hints at discussing its features later. Josh identifies common overlooked aspects of becoming an artist and suggests starting with self-management and expectations, followed by hard and soft skills.

05:01

📸 Skills for Artistic Success

The speaker delves into the technical and hard skills essential for a digital artist, highlighting storytelling in writing as a crucial skill. He believes that everything can be broken down into text and emphasizes the importance of creating narratives with artwork. Josh discusses his personal routine of writing in the morning and the significance of video editing and cinematography in his career. He mentions his journey with cameras and learning to craft light for different moods in videos and artwork. The speaker also discusses the importance of engaging with the audience through video and using various media like James Jean, a favorite artist of his.

10:02

🖌️ Tools and Techniques for Creation

The speaker talks about the software and tools he uses daily for video creation and scriptwriting. He mentions using Pages for drafting and final scripts, Elgato foot pedal and Prompter for reading scripts, and DaVinci Resolve Studio for video editing. Josh also discusses the Tourbox Console app for keypad customization and how it enhances his workflow. He introduces Descript, a text-based video editing software, and explains how it helps in reducing mistakes and achieving concise content delivery. The speaker further discusses different Tourbox models, their features, and how they can benefit creators.

15:02

💡 Learning and Social Skills

The speaker emphasizes the importance of social skills in an artist's growth, suggesting interactions with other artists through text, voice chat, or video calls. He shares his preference for voice calls and the benefits of co-working sessions. Josh talks about the value of learning from others and the importance of managing mental health for creators. He shares his habits of setting specific times to check comments and emails to reduce stress. The speaker also discusses the significance of making time for growth and new experiences, learning from others, and the value of studying one's own work for improvement.

20:03

🌟 Balancing Creativity and Life

The speaker concludes by discussing the importance of balancing creativity with other aspects of life. He talks about engaging in various activities to recharge and stimulate creativity, such as outdoor walks, traveling, learning new skills, and even physical activities. Josh shares his personal interests in human anatomy and keyboard modding, and how these contribute to his growth as an artist. He encourages viewers to take their time in learning new skills and to embrace the uniqueness of their skill sets. The speaker signs off by thanking the viewers and the sponsor, Tourbox, and provides links to Tourbox products in the video description.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Digital Artist

A digital artist is an individual who uses digital technology and tools to create art. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the challenges and skills involved in building a career as an independent digital artist, emphasizing the need for a diverse skill set beyond just creating art, such as storytelling and technical skills.

💡Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance refers to the equilibrium between an individual's professional responsibilities and personal life. The speaker in the video discusses the struggle of maintaining this balance, particularly when dealing with art block and the pressure of managing an independent career as an artist.

💡Storytelling

Storytelling is the art of telling stories to engage and inform an audience. In the video, the speaker highlights the significance of storytelling in both the creation of artwork and the production of educational and entertainment content, emphasizing the role of narrative in guiding the viewer through the artist's work.

💡Video Editing

Video editing is the process of manipulating and combining video footage to create a final product. The speaker in the video discusses video editing as a crucial skill for artists, not just for tutorials but also for engaging with the audience and adding meaning to their artwork.

💡Cinematography

Cinematography is the art of capturing visual images with a camera to tell a story or create an effect. In the context of the video, the speaker talks about the importance of learning how to craft and shape light to create different moods in videos and artwork.

💡Tourbox

Tourbox is a customizable input device designed to enhance the workflow of digital creators. The speaker in the video uses Tourbox to improve their efficiency in video editing and script reading, highlighting its features and how it has positively impacted their creative process.

💡Descript

Descript is a software tool that enables video editing based on text transcriptions. The speaker praises Descript for its ability to save time and effort in video editing by allowing edits through a word processor-like interface, which simplifies the process and integrates with other software like DaVinci Resolve.

💡Mental Health

Mental health refers to an individual's psychological and emotional well-being. In the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of managing one's mental health for maintaining a sustainable and fulfilling creative career, discussing strategies like setting specific times to check notifications and prioritizing personal growth.

💡Archiving

Archiving is the process of collecting and storing materials for future reference or use. In the context of the video, the speaker recommends archiving as a crucial skill for artists to keep track of their work, facilitate future creations, and boost morale by reflecting on past achievements.

💡Social Skills

Social skills are the abilities to interact and communicate effectively with others. The video emphasizes the value of social skills for artists to stimulate growth and creativity through discussions and collaborations with other artists, which can enrich one's creative process and mental health.

💡Personal Growth

Personal growth refers to the process of improving oneself through learning, experiences, and self-reflection. In the video, the speaker advocates for making time for personal growth and new experiences, which are essential for maintaining creativity and avoiding stagnation in one's artistic career.

Highlights

Ergo Josh shares insights on the hidden secrets of becoming a digital artist, emphasizing the importance of individual journey and personal growth.

Building a career as an independent artist can be frustrating and confusing, but learning from experienced creators can provide valuable guidance.

Balancing art block, work-life balance, and receiving conflicting advice can be challenging for artists, but understanding that everyone's path is different is crucial.

Ergo Josh highlights the importance of managing oneself, especially for those on the autism or ADHD spectrum, to avoid the 'starving artist' stereotype.

Planning and setting goals are essential for artists to design their lives intentionally and create opportunities for success.

Incorporating fun activities early in the day can help motivate and kickstart the creative process.

Storytelling and writing are key skills for artists, as they help convey narratives effectively through both artwork and educational content.

Video editing and cinematography are valuable skills for artists to enhance their work and share information through various sensory appeals.

Ergo Josh discusses the importance of using multiple senses to convey information, not just relying on sight or sound alone.

The sense of touch or feeling, particularly emotion, is a powerful sense that transcends humanity and is difficult to capture but highly impactful.

Ergo Josh shares his daily use of software like Pages, Elgato foot pedal, and Prompter, along with his experiences with scriptwriting and editing.

DaVinci Resolve Studio is recommended for video editing, with its one-time payment option and extensive functionality.

The Tourbox Console app is praised for its keypad customization, making the editing process more efficient and enjoyable.

Descript is introduced as a new addition to the creator's toolkit, allowing video editing through text and saving significant time.

Archiving and bookkeeping are essential skills for artists, helping to boost morale and provide easy access to old records for future projects.

Social skills are important for artists to stimulate growth and creativity through interactions with other artists.

Mental health management is crucial for creators, and Ergo Josh shares his strategies for handling stress and maintaining a healthy mindset.

Ergo Josh emphasizes the importance of making time for growth and new experiences outside of art to maintain and enhance creativity.

The value of learning new skills and taking time away from art is discussed, as it contributes to a well-rounded artist and a more potent creative potential.