Last week I signed up to some new community sites - mostly networking for business owners. I did a quick search for other graphic/web designers, as I often do, just to see if there was anyone I knew. Haven't run across anyone yet, but I'm sure I will.

Let me preface this with: I know I am not the baddest designer on the planet... if I come across as arrogant, it's only because I am confident in my abilities but I am constantly learning and trying to get better. Even so, at my best, I know there are people who can design circles around me without much effort.

So, I'm browsing and I come across a few profiles of people calling themselves designers. Out of curiosity, I visit a few sites to see what they were working with. I hate to put ANYONE down but... DAMN. I spent about 20 seconds on one site before I ran screaming in tears from my monitor -nearly seared my retinas. Horrible. Absolutely terrible.

At first I thought - maybe they just haven't mastered their tools... but mastery of tools does not a designer make. I've been using Photoshop for almost as long as they've been making it, but I remember using GIMP and Ulead graphics programs years ago. My stuff never looked ANYTHING like what I witnessed.

I understand now why people react the way they do to my work. Things I think are "okay" blow clients away. What's worse is, these people are probably making money. Tha'sokaaaay.

As long as there are people out there doing crappy work and calling it web/graphic design, I'll always have work cleaning up the mess they've made. I get it done the right way. Only problem with that is, clients will pay those folks a chunk of change and whine about my prices. My nickel and dime days are gone.

To my people who are creatively talented and have mastered their tools for bringing it all forth - God Bless - keep doing your thing because you inspire ME. But to the people who know deep down that they aren't up to snuff and call themselves professionals? QUIT PLAYIN'. Back away from the computer and put the mouse down slowly. Bless you too - I pray you find what it is you're REALLY supposed to be doing because um... I'm thinking design is not it. Just because you can... doesn't mean you should.

There are a lot of people who can do exactly what I do - and more - and there are those who think they can do what I do. That's fine. I have been blessed with an amazing gift... and I'ma make sure I honor it by being super duper fly with it.

'Bout ta jump back and kiss myself. Mwah!