Art Chantry on success

“This whole idea of “mainstream” and “glamor” and “fame” is all pretty false and unreal. It’s a phoney deal to think that you can “climb the design corporate ladder” and “work your way to the top” and all that. It really seems to be a myth. Something we’ve sold ourselves to believe in and keep those starting out under control. The truth is that hard sales and intense hustle is what makes the difference. I guess you can call this stuff a confidence game. We sell confidence in us to do the magic. A ‘con’ game. The most financially successful designers I’ve known have not been the best designers – they were the best salesmen.”

— Art Chantry