My Next Great Adventure

For the past twelve years, I have been what some consider an integral part of the deviantART Community. I joined deviantART when it was a brand new infant of a community, and I've been with it ever since. In February of 2008, I joined the company full-time as its Creative Director, and in that time I somehow managed to build a team of seven incredibly talented and brilliant people. Along the way, I helped take a community of 3 million and turn it into a community of over 22 million.

Now, I may have been paid by deviantART, Inc, but I've always known that I was actually an employee of its community. Everybody who works here is. The community is of the utmost importance, and so every decision is made with the community in mind (even if it doesn't seem like it, sometimes). This is why I felt it appropriate to announce my departure in my journal, here. Of course I've let my coworkers know, but I should also let you (the community, my boss) know. My last official day will be in a couple weeks.

So yes, indeed, I have elected to leave my post at deviantART.

The decision was not easy, and it didn't come quickly. Because I live a reasonable distance away from deviantART HQ, I was given the ability to telecommute on some days of the week. However, it became clear that the company is growing at an incredible rate, and with its growth comes an increased need for a creative director who is present in HQ all five days. Because I am a father, driving into HQ five days in a row would mean I'd almost never be able to spend time with my daughter. I realized I couldn't make the commitment to drive up five days a week, and so I had to make this difficult decision.

Some staff members, in the past, have left the company atmosphere in an angry fit, cursing the names of their former coworkers. In contrast, I couldn't possibly have more admiration for my coworkers. The staff of deviantART, from its CEO to its Help Desk, and especially the Creative Team, is made up of some of the most caring, intelligent, and talented people I've ever had the fortune to work with. Perhaps it goes without saying, though—you don't build a community that lasts for twelve years by staffing it with evil morons. No, the staff here deeply cares about the mission of deviantART and also cares for its community. There are many many more projects on the horizon that will directly benefit the creators housed in this unique website, and I regret not being a closer part of those.

Of course, you can't get rid of me that easily. I'll still be around, causing trouble. And hey, don't worry about my future. I've got some prospects, and I'll let you know what I'm up to later down the road.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to shoot them over.