Where's the passion?

I know after I write this that I will officially be an old fart. 

But I can’t help it. After being in the business for over 25 years, I have earned it.

Back when you had to walk to design school in the snow, uphill, both ways, with no shoes because you couldn’t afford them, people got into this business because they loved it. Loved to draw, design, create new things. There was a passion for what we were doing. We had no idea (at least I didn’t) whether or not we could make a decent living at it, but the passion for doing it drove us. And the idea of leaving at five o’clock never even occurred to us. We loved what we were doing and couldn’t believe we were getting paid for it. Not everybody, but most it seemed. 

Where’s the passion? Where’s the hey, hey?
–Steve Wiggins 

Now, our industry has completely changed. You can make a very good living in design. You don’t even need to know how to draw. No more marker comps, hand-rendered type for layouts, drawing logos with a rapidiograph pen and cutting amberlith (most of you probably don’t even know what the heck I’m talking about). The computer does it all. Easier. Faster. But not necessarily better (that’s for another blog). And maybe that’s part of the problem. Artists tend to be very passionate about what they are working on and take personal ownership of it - even if it is being done for someone else. Now essentially all it takes is a someone proficient with a computer who can learn software to get into the field. And they see it as a way to make a decent living, not as a way of life. Design work has become just another job. 9 - 5. It’s easy to shut down the computer at 5 and walk out the door. Because there’s no passion in the work. There’s no passion for the work. 

I’m looking for young designers with passion. People who are in this business because they can’t imagine being in any other business. I know you’re out there. Where are you? Where’s the passion?