The Creative Process (COMIC)

drewtoothpaste · 2012-11-02T21:39:41+00:00

I drew this. My website is Toothpaste For Dinner.

Roflcopter71 · 2012-11-02T21:46:50+00:00

Couldn't be more relevant for me right now. brb going to get more tissues sniff

Sariel007 · 2012-11-03T00:09:45+00:00

You could pretty much retitle it "Studying for finals" and it still holds up.

Canadave · 2012-11-03T00:01:25+00:00

"I love deadlines. I love the 'whooshing' noise they make as they go by."

- Douglas Adams

Montaron87 · 2012-11-02T23:38:23+00:00

Reminds me of this one: http://i.imgur.com/m3R9i.jpg

agentotak · 2012-11-02T21:48:53+00:00

drew and natalie are amazing!

Econogeek · 2012-11-03T00:09:46+00:00

As someone who's just arrived at the library to do some work at gone midnight, I can confirm this.

iron_cassowary · 2012-11-02T22:35:57+00:00

YOU SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE IN YOUR COMIC the post-creative process where strangers online tell you to include masturbation and complaining.

TronSwanson · 2012-11-02T23:49:42+00:00

Watterson concurs

kiwibits · 2012-11-03T00:24:48+00:00

My life as an art major...

ContagiousSpecialist · 2012-11-03T00:30:05+00:00

So true for NaNoWriMo...

Sir_Smashing · 2012-11-03T00:12:55+00:00

Needs regular intervals of procrasturbation.

Trollslie · 2012-11-03T00:36:53+00:00

You forgot the part about "crippling self-doubt." It's somewhere in the middle of "panic." It's probably a nice, vibrant orange.

SpineBuster · 2012-11-03T01:07:31+00:00

programmer and 3d technical artist here, this is about right. Except add a small bar at the end of "fuck off" for "There that works!" followed by "OH FUCK NO IT DOESN'T."

schiz0yd · 2012-11-02T21:56:29+00:00

instantly reminded me of this , both are so accurate for me.

meat_wave · 2012-11-02T21:49:24+00:00

Best comic on the web. Every day I chuckle at life's futility with Drew

protomd · 2012-11-03T00:11:18+00:00

It's so sad how true this is. Just happened earlier this week

F_A_F · 2012-11-03T00:21:39+00:00

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

Douglas Adams RIP

WildeCat96 · 2012-11-03T01:20:01+00:00

This is the exact project life cycle of a web designer. 2 month project all gets done in the last 2 days.

I shall frame this and put it in my cube.

malumfortis · 2012-11-02T21:46:33+00:00

Story of my life!

Dream0nR0ck · 2012-11-03T00:43:29+00:00

Towards the end of the panic stage I cry while furiously swearing at myself and punching walls.

ForkForkFork · 2012-11-02T21:47:38+00:00

Have you considered making your own subreddit?

liltilguy · 2012-11-03T00:28:46+00:00

ftfy

FatherDamo · 2012-11-02T21:53:07+00:00

You missed the masturbate in work bathroom stage right before panic.

tsondie21 · 2012-11-02T21:54:17+00:00

Just wanted to let you know that I read you and Natalie's stuff every day. I like it a lot.

RE1Do · 2012-11-02T23:33:06+00:00

Drew! You rule. Thanks for doing what you do.

Inimicus · 2012-11-02T23:34:18+00:00

Sad but true

thejoep · 2012-11-02T23:49:29+00:00

or any task ever

Nesmid · 2012-11-02T23:50:16+00:00

As my friend used to say: You work best the last 20 minutes before the deadline.

slartbarg · 2012-11-02T23:56:47+00:00

this is the only way i can work

revchu · 2012-11-03T00:07:55+00:00

This is exactly how I did most of university.

RunningWithBeer · 2012-11-03T00:08:18+00:00

Dammit why did you have to remind me I'm procrastinating?

Jeffy29 · 2012-11-03T00:08:30+00:00

If I could figure out how not to do this shit, I would be a ~~president~~ ruler of the earth.

TheRookIsGod · 2012-11-03T00:08:47+00:00

In the panic phase right now. Yet I'm still procrastinating. Fuck.

Monstermash042 · 2012-11-03T00:09:02+00:00

As a fellow creative professional, I can confirm this.

RaviVora · 2012-11-03T00:09:59+00:00

This is fairly accurate, except the stage afterwards is missing where you hate your work and think the client is an idiot for any negative feedback.

ramsay_baggins · 2012-11-03T00:10:47+00:00

My dissertation is due in five weeks. This is an accurate description.

Zhumanchu · 2012-11-03T00:12:35+00:00

LinkCreedZ · 2012-11-03T00:14:19+00:00

This shows the life of my middle school life through high school life.(I quit college but I doubt I'd change what I always did anyway.)

nabeelio · 2012-11-03T00:15:42+00:00

Last minute panic.

RRyderKimo · 2012-11-03T00:16:15+00:00

I though this process would end after college... nope... sigh

HeyyySimon · 2012-11-03T00:17:04+00:00

This is me every time I have a program due. Actually, I'm still recovering from my all night panic that was due today!

Being so hyped up on coffee that you can't sleep but yet so tired you can barely keep your eyes open is no fun, let me tell you.

ThatBroad · 2012-11-03T00:20:47+00:00

I'm a cake decorator and this is my life. Thank you!

Clemchance · 2012-11-03T00:22:03+00:00

True story bro.

lafkak · 2012-11-03T00:22:30+00:00

I love TFD and MTTS! Stoked to see you here sharing your awesome work on Reddit! Keep up the funnytimes :D

AKADidymus · 2012-11-03T00:22:35+00:00

I should be writing my script right now. It's due Tuesday.

moonbasealpha · 2012-11-03T00:25:40+00:00

this is pitch perfect.

McBurger · 2012-11-03T00:26:45+00:00

You'll stress less and do better work when you learn not to do this to yourself.

FKvelez · 2012-11-03T00:27:49+00:00

I cried so much while doing my work

crimson589 · 2012-11-03T00:28:12+00:00

Why the fuck is this the first post I see, I have a damn paper to do.

RzK · 2012-11-03T00:28:27+00:00

I had an essay due today but the due date was changed because of Sandy.. I still havent started.. I want to, but..

ionlylooklazy · 2012-11-03T00:28:50+00:00

This also applies for engineering.

leach89 · 2012-11-03T00:28:59+00:00

Saw this on facebook before reddit..... what is the world coming to?!!!!

jb52973 · 2012-11-03T00:30:04+00:00

You are two for two today my friend!

dafragsta · 2012-11-03T00:30:34+00:00

I've got to say right now that I'm feeling that if you cut the fuck-off bar in half, it's still not any different. I've been working my ass off trying to deliver a project for a big company. It shouldn't have ever been a one man show, but I think at this point it's a "nothing to lose" situation, but now I can't put in extra hours because the middleman actually has no provision for overtime, while the client said they'd pay for it. Clusterfucks in all directions, boys.

DildoChrist · 2012-11-03T00:36:17+00:00

The truth in this is kind of depressing.

Trancos · 2012-11-03T00:38:19+00:00

This applies not only to comics, but to music too, at least

Uberhatkat · 2012-11-03T00:41:00+00:00

Blue and green are reversed. Deadline comes first, then the final work + crying.

syn410 · 2012-11-03T00:44:06+00:00

"Fuck off" could be replaced with "briefly check out Reddit"

Icecruncher · 2012-11-03T00:47:20+00:00

The creative process is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.

purefloat · 2012-11-03T00:47:59+00:00

Yep, I'm taking five AP classes and three community college classes. This is so true. I hate school.

wehateporn · 2012-11-03T00:49:49+00:00

I wish I could say that this didn't apply to me

abbydabbygurl · 2012-11-03T00:50:20+00:00

Haha! Yes, this describes what my weekend will probably be like when I finally stop procrastinating and get off Reddit. :)

darktemplardude · 2012-11-03T00:51:32+00:00

As someone who just wrote an essay and submitted it 9 minutes before midnight, this is exactly how I felt yesterday.

tokeyoh · 2012-11-03T00:52:17+00:00

reminds me of the calvin and hobbes comic when calvin's talking about inspiration being last minute panic

slireddit · 2012-11-03T00:53:16+00:00

Well, this really demonstrates the significances of deadlines. If there are this many up votes, I expect this is accurately descriptive of our work culture.. I wonder if there are any studies done that further describe this effect and its outcomes/results in society.

Also, DAE plan out projects for themselves that they never get done, but finish extensive school assignments on time?

CYAAfghanistan · 2012-11-03T00:53:49+00:00

Ha you can equate that scale to vacations or even life.

RadiantSun · 2012-11-03T00:53:54+00:00

I'm a creative copywriter for an ad agency and... This is precisely how my assignments go. If the deadline is a week, I dick around for 5 days and then ride the art department's ass in a rush to get it finished and locked in the last 2 days.

ScreamingGordita · 2012-11-03T00:55:18+00:00

I've been trying to write my next shooting assignment for class and this is spot on.

tacticalturtleneck · 2012-11-03T00:58:55+00:00

Ahh yes. I know this site from natalie dee. Love it. Great work. You used to have another site, but I think it has since closed down.

yepsuremaybe · 2012-11-03T00:59:15+00:00

I fucking love you. This is my favorite video ever: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQm7YpxgOnA Also, where do you get the music you use?

SpaceFloow · 2012-11-03T01:03:52+00:00

This guy gets it!

ThrowEmAllOut2012 · 2012-11-03T01:06:14+00:00

So is that why everything on TV is total shit?

Polymarchos · 2012-11-03T01:06:23+00:00

The deadline should be more toward the center.

As Douglas Adams said, "I love deadlines. I love the wooshing noise they make as they fly past."

LtArson · 2012-11-03T01:08:24+00:00

This is the first time I've seen something on Facebook before I saw it on reddit. What is this world coming to?

seymour47 · 2012-11-03T01:09:28+00:00

This is also the Academic Process.

Debateachristian · 2012-11-03T01:10:58+00:00

This one I like.

Tezcatl666 · 2012-11-03T01:12:13+00:00

I used to be a responsible designer, now I live in the zone all the time...

sultanblender · 2012-11-03T01:14:50+00:00

Firstly, big fan, been reading/buying shirts for years.

Secondly, completely accurate.

sanfranman · 2012-11-03T01:16:59+00:00

I like how it's completed before the deadline.

Depressed_in_Life · 2012-11-03T01:20:47+00:00

This is why most movies and video games suck now.

Chocoholic69 · 2012-11-03T01:21:42+00:00

All the working while crying

Couldn't be more true...

tritter211 · 2012-11-03T01:26:18+00:00

can't you directly link comics from the author's website OP?

Chris_E · 2012-11-03T01:26:42+00:00

Why does the green bar stop before the deadline?

klaymankombat · 2012-11-03T01:27:13+00:00

It's the only way to get things done well. I work 10x better and faster under strict time constraints. That's why I do great on tests and not so great on long scheduled projects.

jnazario · 2012-11-03T01:28:39+00:00

yeah i'm suffering through this right now. complete with tears.

dubmau5 · 2012-11-03T01:30:46+00:00

I wonder if there is an actual science research/study on this behavior. Tons of us do it. I actually feel like i'd prefer the pressure sometimes but at the same time i'm thinking, "why the fuck did i wait till the last minute".

Edit* Actually found one duke research

teawreckshero · 2012-11-03T01:31:37+00:00

I am currently in Panic.....but I'm on reddit, so maybe I'm still in Fuck off a little bit.

ColbyWanKenobi · 2012-11-03T01:33:39+00:00

at least I'm not the only one who does this

mkhorn · 2012-11-03T01:39:45+00:00

Enjoy your upvotes, you son of a bitch.

wayndom · 2012-11-03T01:40:37+00:00

...story of my life...

ArtAwakes · 2012-11-03T01:45:38+00:00

totally feeling this right now, while of course, browsing reddit...

issmay_oseray · 2012-11-03T01:50:24+00:00

I'm heading towards panic stage!

CaptainRon87 · 2012-11-03T01:55:09+00:00

This is called punctuated equilibrium if anyone was interested.

eigma · 2012-11-03T01:55:17+00:00

That's my Everything process.

Alex470 · 2012-11-03T01:57:20+00:00

The "fuck off" portion isn't quite long enough.

redadidasjumpsuit · 2012-11-03T01:57:20+00:00

It's really more of an infographic.

goteed · 2012-11-03T01:57:52+00:00

I have been living this with a client for the last 3 days!!!

done_holding_back · 2012-11-03T01:58:02+00:00

Creative process? This is strikingly close to how I have sex.

mrkeked · 2012-11-03T02:03:24+00:00

Given that you do not have merchandise for this awesome strip yet, would you consider making available a high-res version of this for t-shirt making purposes (with due credit somewhere in there)?

Motorsagmannen · 2012-11-03T02:03:58+00:00

in norway we have an expression for this called "skippertak".

flyprdu · 2012-11-03T02:04:52+00:00

This is how I imagine the production of Mass Effect 3 went.

Mint_Berry_Kush · 2012-11-03T02:05:50+00:00

literally what I'm doing RIGHT NOW

nish_reaper · 2012-11-03T02:07:24+00:00

Story of all my thesis till date

HamletTheHamster · 2012-11-03T02:10:06+00:00

oh no. This marks the first time that I've seen something on Facebook before seeing it on Reddit..

icandothat · 2012-11-03T02:10:14+00:00

I've been saying this for years: The amount of time you have to do a job is how long it takes.

fosterwallacejr · 2012-11-03T02:10:35+00:00

I saw this on Facebook well before Reddit, you have failed me.

B_Man364 · 2012-11-03T02:18:59+00:00

Poetry

selfishflesh · 2012-11-03T02:20:19+00:00

So, is this why my wedding cake was so salty?

RandomWhiteDudee · 2012-11-03T02:25:24+00:00

I'm currently at the "Fuck off" level.

Tron-Gorf · 2012-11-03T02:29:57+00:00

Belongs on programming too.

PutdatCookieDown · 2012-11-03T02:36:46+00:00

On one side I am sad because this is such an accurate description of me at the moment. And on the other side I am glad because I don't seem to be alone! :D

illogic6 · 2012-11-03T02:40:40+00:00

My dick's on the phone. RANG RANG

thisbejesse08 · 2012-11-03T02:47:36+00:00

I can't believe I'm saying this but I saw this on facebook first.

scabyknees · 2012-11-03T02:50:20+00:00

'Deadline' needs to be shifted about 25% to the left.

plashy · 2012-11-03T02:59:03+00:00

hell. yes.

ihavesuccumbed · 2012-11-03T03:04:40+00:00

relevant xkcd

typecrime · 2012-11-03T03:04:55+00:00

I am a senior level designer working for a top tier Fortune 500 company and this comic sums up my process fairly accurately. What it probably actually is, panic all the time, but the Reddit addiction overrides the need to hit deadline.

STRONG_USERNAME · 2012-11-03T03:05:50+00:00

This isn't a comic, this is a graph.

How could you lie to me like this, Drew?

Legion_of_Bunnies · 2012-11-03T03:09:38+00:00

This is how I do school projects and study for tests.

Criket527 · 2012-11-03T03:12:46+00:00

"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by."

-Late great Douglas Adams

eastshores · 2012-11-03T03:19:44+00:00

This is too damned accurate for software development if you are working mainly solo projects.

qarl1 · 2012-11-03T03:22:01+00:00

This is so incredibly true

Garryfre · 2012-11-03T03:24:53+00:00

Yep thats how it works. Stress gets those creative juices flowing as this pic demonstrates. http://imgur.com/UTivZ

Ephemeros · 2012-11-03T03:29:42+00:00

Hmmm, I thought this was how it worked?

cb53 · 2012-11-03T05:05:19+00:00

This is my Master's Thesis in a nutshell

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