Can a designer be Christian?

Question

Hello, I'm a fledging designer specializing in motion graphics and broadcast design. I am just having thoughts that the nature of my job feels "unChristian" and I not talking about the socialogy of the creative industry. The idea of having to network among people seems to be pulling me away from God.

Can a designer achieve success without selling my soul?

A designer is to create ideas, make graphics and do animation in my case.
First and foremost, it is communicate an idea.

One prime example is the title sequence for Desperate Housewives. Bree accepts her son's homosexuality. If I created the graphics, wouldn't I be encouraging more people into watching this show?

Design work is a scarce commodity and it is insane to turn down an accepted pitch.

Answer 1

Yes, you can! Don't be afraid to use your talents for God. We all have to work at grounding ourselves in the Lord daily. Being a Christian isn't just joining a church or having once accepted Christ. It's abiding in Him which I'm sure you know. I'm just reminding you that is all it takes. Go and be a great designer for the Lord.


Maurice - I am an old Christian. It's good not to compremise as a Christian but it's another thing not to become too legalistic. There are 2 good rules of thumb I follow as a Christian.
1) I pray about every major decision I make that if it's not what I should do that He would shut the door to it, so to speak. If you pray that and you get the job then He wants you there.
2) You are right. It is not good for a Christian to help promote sin as in the design example you gave about the homosexuality. I think you shouldn't feel ungodly for working in your field but that there are times when you have to stand up and say, I'm sorry but I can't do that because I'm a Christian. I think that example is one of those times. But just trust God. If you're meant to keep that job He will have them get someone else to do that one. And if you are fired because of it, first of all, it would be religious descrimination and secondly, that only means it's your time to leave there and He has a better job waiting for you somewhere else.
You are a sincere Christian and I wish you well in your design career.

Answer 2

The bible tells us that blessed is a man who put his trust in God. As long as you hold true to who you are in God his grace is sufficient. If you are a Christian and you yourself feel that this is not the right thing to do then you may want to rethink it. The Holy spirit is an enabler it reveals all things so it maybe no longer you but the christ that lives on the inside telling you to try something else. You can be in that business and use your talent for the Lord. As far as you networking among people and it pulling you away from God shows you need growth within your spiritual self. God has called his children to be light in dark places look at it as an opportunity to minister to some one.

Answer 3

Seems possible. I'd advise keeping in close contact with Christian friends who can keep you accountable.

All of us have the ongoing opportunity to be an "ambassador for Christ". That may be more of a trial in the vocation you are considering.

Answer 4

"Render to Cezar the things that are Cezar's, To God he things that belongs to God." Your job is to create graphics, not to create ideas. But always pray if someone might fall because of you. It's not too late to retreat. Ask God for the right time.

Answer 5

I believe you can. But if you feel like the one you have is taking you away from God, then I think you should look for a new one that won't.