The Complete Guide to the 'What I Do' Meme: Origins, Meaning, and Viral Variations
By Elena Rostova
Q1: Who created the original "What People Think I Do" meme?
Contemporary media artist, designer, and academic Garnet Hertz created the earliest documented version on February 14, 2012. He designed the original graphic to illustrate his occupation as a "Contemporary Media Artist" and shared it on his Facebook account.
Q2: Why did the six-panel layout become so popular so quickly?
The layout offered a structured, self-contained story that balanced high-status fantasy against self-deprecating reality. It gave white-collar and specialized workers an easy visual vocabulary to explain complicated, abstract career paths to friends and family.
Q3: How has the meme changed between 2012 and 2026?
While the original version used static six-image photo grids shared on desktop social feeds, the concept evolved into vertical short-form video formats. Modern creators express the same six perspective contrasts using quick video cuts, sound effects, and parody skits on platforms like TikTok and Reels.
Elena Rostova holds a Master's degree in Public Health Journalism. She covers groundbreaking medical research, holistic wellness trends, mental health awareness, and nutritional science.
