Are you a control freak?

[mactastic]

As a designer I know all about it. The feeling of "am I going to have to do EVERYTHING???"; coupled with the knowledge that I couldn't possible do it all.

I know all about kicking myself for not catching a consultant dropping a 3-phase motor in an air handler for a building that only has single phase power supplied. Wondering how I missed the 18" storm drain running through the grade beams of the covered walkway. Feeling like I should have evaluated every grade callout more thouroughly to make sure standing water doesn't form while still meeting all relevant accessibility criteria. Wondering why no one ever got around to looking at the attachment details for roof access ladders.

The problem is that I try to translate my graphic design anal-ness into architecture anal-ness. I like my drawings to look effin cool. But that requires time, and I remind myself that it's far better for them to be accurate than to be spiffy lookin. Clients aren't paying me for pretty anymore.

Yeah, you gotta be kind of on the control freak side for this kind of work.

But I gotta say, designers got nothing on teachers when it comes to control issues.

 

[shecky]

well, im a designer who teaches design......... i hope i don't implode

 

[Iscariot]

I can tell you exactly how many calories I've eaten today, their distribution, and my DV% for at least 4 vitamins.

Also, I slap vigorously anyone who calls out logical page depths in anything other than picas.

 

[Mord]

About certain things totally, others totally not.

With me it's a binary.

 

[John Jacob]

I think I'm too laid-back to be...some people may argue otherwise.

I'd call myself a laid-back control freak. I don't see why the two should be mutually exclusive.

 

[Queso]

If something needs doing I just do it myself, even if it takes every waking minute. I'd rather that than rely on someone else who will probably just do it wrong.

Once it's done I'm pretty chilled out, and I don't ever try and organise other people.

Does that count?

 

[iBlue]

Not in most situations. I don't really seek to control other people or insist on my own way.

However, I go a bit nuts watching anyone use photoshop though as I just want to do it myself the way I want to. I am no expert but I'm picky and I want what I want even if it is lousy.

Sometimes if I know my way around an area and someone else is driving I wonder "why the hell did you go this way?" but try to keep it to myself.

I suppose a few things like this I find myself a bit controlling.

 

[njmac]

Yes, I am but I try not to be.

For example, when I make a dessert menu at the restaurant I work in and then I am making the prep list, I end up taking much of the work because I know exactly what I want.

It would just be easier to let go a little.

I am really tempted to homeschool my kids because I want some control of their education. Lately I've been seeing some not so good things about our school system right from kindergarten.

 

[TheQuestion]

welcome to the internet. this site has a lot of information.

Thank you for the welcome, but i am not new to the internet, just to this site!

The question is why does the pursuit of perfection merit the "freak" appellation? Is that the same thing as the person who labours to command all aspects of all things? When i think of Control Freak, i think of Louis XIV or Augustus Caesar.

 

[chilipie]

However, I go a bit nuts watching anyone use photoshop though as I just want to do it myself the way I want to. I am no expert but I'm picky and I want what I want even if it is lousy.

Haha, likewise! I have a friend who insists on only having one layer in every PSD file, and merging down every new layer... it drives me absolutely ape.