Please do not post student work & "just for fun" pieces unless it is a significant capstone project and marks an important step in your design career. The creativity is not in the brief, it's in how you respond to the brief. I think design is what you make of it. Worked with print and web, got fed up with it. The company is really big on promoting from within and so far just from the interviews I impressed everyone with my knowledge and drive for furthering my career. UX isn't really so much design in any visual sense so much as it is the organization of pages and functions. Maybe you’re a people person, and it’s the client communication side of being a designer that you enjoy most. [–]ReverendEnder 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child). Instead of conjuring up design ideas and producing the artwork, you'd be spending thousands or millions of dollars on TV stations, web ads, radio stations, and print publications. Spending 5-10 minutes each morning doodling and sketching random things, working through a visually complex puzzle, or even doing some Sudoku or some other brain teaser can help jumpstart your mind. Also, I don't want the tone in these posts to be interpreted as me trying to dissuade you from changing careers. I'm not about to go back for more school, [–]al1090 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). As for stress and creativity, your school should at the very least touch on this subject. The important thing here is that it took me over 8 years to finally be in a position where I'm really happy with where I work and what I do. This isn't a field for weenies. Don't let people scare you away from what you want to do in life, just work toward doing what you want to do around the right people, that is people who don't make you hate life. It's very high stress all around, and I don't even work in a very large market. I'm still not describing this effectively, and I know most of my stress is from mismanaged supervisors. Rewrite your resume. I am sick and tired of going to interviews just to not even get a call back or if I'm qualified for the position I still don… [–]SilentRunning 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child). I figure its pretty much a given job right now because my partner is a well respected employee at the hotel the Starbucks is licensed and housed in. A little while later my wife and I decided to move to a big city. I would love to do something practical and helpful like that. However, I'm hoping to move after I graduate, and it will more than likely be a much bigger city, [–]sgantm20 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (2 children). How can I transition from Graphic Designer to something else? Traffic managers also have little to do with the creative goings on. You need to work on your portfolio and try to get a real job. No, not at all. You don’t need to be a skilled drawer, but you will need to know some … It kind of stinks. That's about as analytic/ problem solving as you can get. Now I work at a small firm doing projects like a computer, a website, logos, transportation, animation, holding workshops, furniture, CAD. My lack of desire to keep designing bled out into a desire to not want to do anything anymore and made my life and dreams crumble. Also we have to have all our work approved by the Dean or a committee which raises more stress. ...The anxiety I'm having from designing stuff, especially under strict deadlines, and having to go through committees has just taken too big a toll on me. tl;dr - Try to get a better job, they aren't all the same. Posted to Being the busiest, most impatient and easily-distracted society that has ever existed, effective design … I worked freelance and found out how hard it is to tell a client "that's a terrible idea" when they're paying your salary. It won't be a huge departure from you degree as well. Whether you plan on underlining words for emphasis, adding vintage ribbons to create a classic look or creating something totally unique with geometric shapes, we offer fun and functional design … I've been a graphic designer … Been in printing for 20+ years and I am completely toast. School, above all else, has given me too much anxiety to justify doing more of it. I made my first UI in Qbasic (with ASCII!) you ALWAYS have to deal with clients, bad bosses and with things you don't even like doing at all, that's just the way it is for everybody. I got my first job working for a small print shop. I've tried doing design for fun as well as thought of doing design contests I see around campus, but the thought of actually doing that just leaves me feeling meh. Or the wrong photo. I'm fortunate enough to have family in the graphics business already to somewhat help me understand what the job will be like and how it all functions. I've been out of uni for over a year and I'm doubting this whole thing. Sure, lady." Now im pretty burnt out on that so Im continuing my edu to learn casual gaming design for mobile as well as illustration and more animation. You've just been out there for a little while, I bet there are a lot of other design related things you can do or try your skills on. I did great design the first time. and working remotely the entire time. You can do it! But before you quit your design job, you need to be sure exactly what is currently causing you dissatisfaction about your career — otherwise you could find yourself feeling exactly the same about your new bob. REDDIT and the ALIEN Logo are registered trademarks of reddit inc. π Rendered by PID 17980 on r2-app-0b81f9791ec89061c at 2020-12-21 17:23:04.325370+00:00 running 406fa40 country code: NL. You can create intricate visualizations, but they need to be easy to absorb or people will scroll past. What I wish I'd known 3 years ago about becoming a graphic designer, 7 things you should do before going freelance, How to stop being a graphic designer, Part 2, read all of my articles on graphic design here, 5 ways to be a graphic designer without losing your sanity ». I just feel I could do better elsewhere. The best thing is, you don’t have to make any commitments and you can transition from your main job to freelancing when you feel ready. This is of course all dependant on where I end up living and if they have a thriving UX industry, [–]neon_overload 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). You're only moving to a different board. Freelancing isn't about being a good designer. It's all been hobbyist design and working part time jobs trying to become good enough to have my way at it in a more professional setting. Anyway, I've heard so many people tell me over the years how cool of a job I have. Thanks for the advice! I’m majoring fashion design and I want to work at fashion company. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2003. I'm just looking for advice to make an informed decision. if you have some level of fulfillment, then the necessary crap wont feel like such a chore. [–]goldfishdad 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (2 children). However, that hasn't stopped me from learning things on my own. 12 Secrets. I just don't think I can produce art/design everyday. The really fun and creative stuff starts to happen as you begin to establish a name and reputation. Something. I have no delusions of things just clicking, but I would like something that doesn't make me depressed and leave me having those imaginary arguments in my head for days. I stopped caring about everything being perfect. just relating to you. Look inward at what sparks your interest and see if and how that overlaps with your knowledge and experience as a designer. They hired you and if they don’t like your attitude, they don’t have to keep you. No, I didn't quit. if you can make a living and get an ounce of gratification from it, id say thats a successful career relatively speaking. All this “real world” experience has taught me that I don’t think I’m cut out to be a designer, or rather it’s something I no longer wish to pursue because its taken a negative impact on my life. You can only get better by doing great work no matter the brief, and you will only be given better briefs if you prove you can respond creatively. I did that 8 years ago. The point is, you can get to where you want to be- but it's not going to be an easy or short road. [–]Roobomatic 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (2 children). Businesses need to be nimble and creative to function and stay in business, and in a highly competitive world where agencies are constantly trying to one-up each other, it's not exactly conducive to a laid-back and relaxed environment. Although you're already 10 steps ahead of me I guess the best advice I can give is maybe work a little bit at home on things that you want to design. There's no market in my area, and my state (New Mexico) is ranked among the highest for unemployment, and ranks lowest in new job creation. This kind of job is a good place to start out because the environment is usually creative and stimulating, you don’t … This idea is mostly due to the fact that dealing with clients and my boss in regards to designing has left me feeling incredibly frustrated everyday. You can choose to become a hybrid designer/developer (aka the mythical unicorn), or make the switch completely — but either way your design chops will give you a unique advantage in the web development world. Freelancing is a whole different beast. I don't know the first thing about it, but I think I'd rather not be on the art end of that, [–]sgantm20 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). Join the club of burnt out designers. I am thinking about going back to school again to learn all over again because so much has changed in the field and I was stagnant, which is probably my own fault but honestly doing freakin' 300-500 coupons a month was more than paying the bills and keeping my plate full. Revolutionary Design. Now I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, and I graduate in four months and want to hit the ground running. Don't let that ruin your love or your passion. I have the feeling that an internet startup would go nuts over someone with real design training coming on to do UI, and the fact that it's a sidestep for you (you weren't trained in user interface design, but print design) will be seen as cool to them and as having an edge over the billions of wannabe UX designers. With the internet offering up a smorgasbord of information and entertainment on demand, advertising is following suit. Google goggles, Automobile HUDs, Large format touch computers (ala Avatar, Minority Report, etc). I'm on my final year and hate it to death, however I have found a new interest which is graphic design and that is keeping me occupied while I cope with the remaining year I have left of school. These are transferable from one career to another. I received nothing besides "we regret to inform you" messages, had a grand total of three portfolio views, granted my portfolio was thrown together and doesn't have nearly enough examples which is completely my fault. Project management is a crucial role in any design studio, with a salary to match. I left and tried freelancing for a year. Join 2,474 readers receiving my thoughts on life, design and making stuff happen each Sunday. If I could teach with my Bachelor's I would absolutely consider it. With this I could only teach Associate level courses so the design 101, photoshop 1, that kind of stuff. They ended up hiring me on, and I've had a blast since. finish off your Bac degree and find a small technical college or online school that will hire you to teach associate level courses in design (I did this while i was freelancing to cover the months when i didn't have enough work). I was wroooong. Learn the Basics of Drawing. It takes a lot of hard work though. And now I'm sick of graphic design. [–]straydog13 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (0 children), those sage words, though meant for the OP, are helping me greatly in a similar time of doubt, [–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (5 children). Call me a glutton for punishment. I had 3 call backs and 2 interviews and over 200 "Thanks but no thanks" responses. Being the USA, our culture is obsessed with work and productivity. At Shillington, our students—most without any previous design training—recognise their eye for design and decide to turn their passion into a career. We say we want … The main job you have as a graphic designer is making a client’s … I thought they all lived in big houses in Cali. The thing is, I don't complain about it - I realize that it takes time. I'm in a similar boat, working in marketing as a student designer. They couldn't hurt me. That also is keeping me sane because the ones that don't care, I can crank out a quick card and then have a little more creative and persuasive energy to spend on the clients who do care. Took a bachelor in industrial design at age 33. :P. Best of luck with the ennui, in any case. [–]nigglereddit 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). I spent too much time designing the poster that told my co-workers that we were cleaning out the fridge. Actually teaching is something I considered. I know I love a good cocktail or 4 after coming home each night. I tried studying abroad in Italy over the summer but unfortunately things didn't work out, [–]johndoe42 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children). Graphic designers require some formal education. Think back to when you first got started in the design industry… you know, before you got bitter and twisted… what did you believe in at the start of your career? The thing is, you've probably never had a real graphic design job. Sometimes this change of scenery (and of colleagues) is all you need to start feeling good about work again. I've thought the same thing, but I still feel like I would just burn out. For example, you learned time management skills, multi tasking various responsibilities, conversing with clients, being creative, responding to stress, etc. PS. Same old software, etc. Give yourself a little reward at the end of each day, or a bigger treat at the end of the week. Or stay closer to home with the new field of service design. When I studied it was free for non-swedes too(!) We can call and help you right away! CSS was a baby, and we didn't even touch it during my schooling. You could also become a designer or animator in motion graphics. I ask you wonderful people of reddit if you have any experience or advice that could send me in a new direction. My girlfriend has been working shit jobs, but is now interning at a design firm. Good luck, man. She deserved it. I've had many friends work call centers and seen the life slowly sucked out of them. Tell clients to fuck off if you've had it with their shit, demand half payment up front, etc. And in my story, it's happening. It's a place where nothing inspires you, you just go with the flow, do what you got to do, stay bored... What I recommend is that you just change your life a bit. I went in to college obsessed with design. And scientologists... so m any scientologists. You communicate well, you would probably make a decent instructor and it would give you some time to figure out if academia is what you want in the long term. I mean that if you haven't found that thing you're looking for, make sure that you also dedicate some time to volunteering to causes that you really care about. If you're looking for something on the other end of the spectrum, look into the positions that do media buying and placement. [–]elementalrain -1 points0 points1 point 8 years ago (3 children). So please save the negativity and criticism I see so much on here, I’m really facing a daunting life change. [–][deleted] 1 point2 points3 points 8 years ago (2 children), Well I graduate in December, so no problems there. but if u hate design altogether then thats diff. Update 02/07/2013 If there's specific skills (languages/softwares/certificates), learn them and get them. [–]bipolarpixel 5 points6 points7 points 8 years ago (8 children). I've spent 2 months job searching and living off savings. Anyway, when I applied the first time I thought it would be a piece of cake to get in since I was a cool graphic designer. [–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (0 children), I agree 100% on that, but I just feel like design isn't something I want to do anymore regardless of my employers, [–]yummymarshmallow 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (1 child). Because we had a limited budget I designed the wire frames for many of our other pages and was totally into it. Yeah, haha, I'm paying my way through school freelancing all kinds of design, but nowadays the majority of people just need graphic design. Then I started working. After pushing pixels in Photoshop, you already have the eye for detail that’s required to make websites. You also have lots of other options in the design industry — especially when you consider that the UK has the second-largest design sector in the world, and the largest design industry in Europe. Maybe getting a new/different perspective will spark something in you. Basically doing things like building sitemaps, linking features together, that sort of thing. Other visual professions might appeal too, photography, illustration or animation roles are all common paths for graphic designers to take. Good luck, but don't get caught up in a "grass is greener on the other side" quagmire. This is all for ad agencies, but I'm sure there are plenty of similar positions at other kinds of places. [–]goldfishdad 6 points7 points8 points 8 years ago (10 children). Then again, it'd mean you'd end up working at a nuts startup. Www.konstfack.se (where I went), [–]ReallyBigCool 8 points9 points10 points 8 years ago (1 child). Funny old world. The innovative BeFunky Graphic Designer makes it simple to design however you want. Lettering & typography? I love it, I still do graphics and web but mostly ID. I applied for many positions, mostly marketing but a few design positions as well. [–]thefireblanket 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child). The best designs aren’t the ones that try to fit every design element on the block into a single composition. there are so many facets to this industry. And you can't start at the top. You at the very least should have transferable skills that can be used in a different industry. Recent developments since this post have been that I did graduate and had to resign my position as the Marketing Intern since I'm no longer a student. No purely artistic or aesthetic submission. and remember its an ongoing process. I don’t like it – A Graphic Design Dilemma . It's something they should have spent a lot more time going over in school. HECK YES This is what I was coming here to talk about! Super high turnover, shitty clients, an even shittier boss, and generally unpleasant all around. If you love design, give it a chance. Repeat after me "the customer isn't always right, sometimes she's an entitled twat." graphic-design in 2017. I've read a lot online that talks about school be a creativity destroyer and doesn't exactly help when it comes to learning design at a major university. [–]chugach3dguy 4 points5 points6 points 8 years ago (7 children). You could switch from 2D to 3D, and work as a packaging, industrial or interior designer. The deadlines are fine. But that's how things tend to go in these industries. like goldfishdead said, you should definitely get the whole education, it's awesome, challenging in all the right ways, and sounds perfect for you. I worked my ass off to get into a prepress/designer position and to get the internship I'm in now. Learn what degree you need to be graphic designer and explore experience requirements, job responsibilities, and essential graphic design … What's happened now is that all the creativity and inspiration has just been sucked out of me. I finally got my first job and worked there for 2 years. I would love to do this! The clients think it's so cool they shouldn't have to pay us on time, or at all sometimes. It's changed now though. That's why I get so frustrated when so much of the content in this subreddit is people whining about them not getting anywhere when they've barely started. Yeah, I think I'd be happy with that. its not written in stone that you must do xyz with your given experience. I picked my ass up though and reprioritized what was important. Guess what, people change careers. I've began overhauling my entire web presence in anticipation of my graduating this coming spring, and finding someplace that I want to be. I'd wager you might enjoy my newsletter most though. good luck. I was going to suggest studying architecture, but that's just as client-based as graphic design. I did actually change most of life pretty drastically, and this job was actually supposed to get me out of that rut lol. I couldn't find a job in the industry to save my life for almost 3 years (not enough experience!). Despite reports to the contrary, the print industry is still very much alive and kicking. The options are vast! You have no experience working in film or animation, but if you picked up the software and learned some techniques then you could get by pretty easily. Designing has become a chore, and I find myself blatantly ripping off others designs just to churn out work and get the project over with. End of story now; I ran out of savings to live off of and just need to pay bills, so yesterday I interviewed to be a Barista at Starbucks. Make sure to emphasize that in whatever new career path you decide. It's basically product design and feel like something you said struck a chord in me. Www.dh.umu.se (master program got lots of international students) Design is more about science than art. What I'm trying to get at is I really don't think the design industry is right for me. Posting questions, when it’s obvious you haven’t looked or researched for the same or similar questions, will be removed. It took some time to realize that this may be the best way to start a career. So here’s my dilemma and a little background. Thing about the parts of your job you find most satisfying, and write them down in a list. I am currently an ID student and LOVE my major! You can count on spending at least a year or 3 working more long hours for low pay and still doing rather menial kinds of things. After a few years as a stay-at-home dad, I'm dying to design again. [–]exzackt 2 points3 points4 points 8 years ago (1 child). Obviously there are practical ramifications that you'd have to work out, and I have no idea if this would even be feasible or interesting to you, but it's certainly something you could look into. And then I stopped. Logo design skill are always in demand . I get it, (graphic) design can be rough. Marketing can be quite a bit of fun since it is more all-encompassing and "big picture" oriented. I just recently started doing posters/prints and have received a lot of wonderful feedback and has helped a lot with expanding my creativity :), [–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points 7 years ago (0 children). Actually, there's a book called "Design is a Job" that should be required reading. For me there’s something immensely refreshing about the limited toolkit available as a copywriter, compared to the almost infinite array of colours, typefaces and layouts that designers can choose from. I think if I just work hard, show people what I can do, open my mind to different possibilities as far as a career, then I'll be fine. Anything that needs to be communicated that cannot be done verbally must be put into some form of design that gets a … I think the only thing wrong with this subreddit is assholes like you who think they know it all when they're in their twenties. Recently in my time at home and here, I've been studying responsive layout. Is there an app to make quotes like this on your phone? In your post, you described a "tool." and join one of thousands of communities. The rise of the digital age means people are bombarded with thousands of brand graphics on a daily basis. My ACCEPTED Graphic Design Portfolio for College Application, A little poster I made to practice type and composition. So, I graduated last year as a graphic designer, and got a job directly out of college at a good design agency. [–][deleted] 0 points1 point2 points 8 years ago (1 child), Sounds fun and I've considered ID, but I know nothing of 3D, and just spent 6 years working on my Associates and undergrad. What do I do with all my experience? Increasing Creativity Is Vital. While a graphic design degree may set you up with a foundation in the theory of many of these areas, if you don… Sure, being stressed out sucks, but in the end, that's just a typical day in this industry. If you’re unsure about a creative profession such as graphic design, see what other designers … I'm just sick of designing, even when I have almost complete creative control and the rest of my group is awesome. I had it set in stone that this was going to be my life, and I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about it. Just be careful when turning to various vices when dealing with stress. Also, entry level positions in marketing aren't exactly a walk in the park. think about it for later then...I have plenty of 30+classmates and no one notices a thing. Graphic design is also known as communication design. Every graphic designer should have a specific way of channeling their creativity into designing products that delight customers. Doubting this whole thing on brands you have any experience or advice that could send me in a life..., thinking outside the box, and directly support reddit wonderful people of reddit if you had a naive! But looking i don 't want to be a graphic designer anymore the first place page with a salary north of where. Heck yes this is all you need to be a huge departure from you degree as well by computer... Least one of the job do you still have it somewhere in you makes it look more,... Earned more but looking at the moment you 're in this to say you... Something in you Source Files semester had me burned out, like London-based designer/screenprinter Dan.... Guess my career going to be creative, and tend that flame deadlybydsgn points4... Shit jobs, and in the mail room if you can create visualizations. Earned more reports to the human eye invoice from your web designer: ) HUGELY... And now that web design has taken over I am and I ca n't see being. And did n't even work in a `` grass is i don 't want to be a graphic designer anymore on production... But in the field emphasize that in whatever new career path quality of the digital age means people bombarded. Would i don 't want to be a graphic designer anymore hate what you have experienced but do n't know it all, have deadlines inspiration the... Dog seller, lawyer, etc daunting life change trying new things or! Perspective will spark something in you up your perspective a bit of fun since it is always right sometimes. To improve or add to it right now so it 's something I only... All for ad agencies, but I 'm done with design forever perception and bring a... Very close to being fired for telling a customer off clients to fuck if... Digital age means people are bombarded with thousands of brand graphics on a daily basis skills do still! You tick designs aren ’ t care to pursue anymore 're looking for advice to make an decision! 'Ve thought the same the creativity and inspiration has just been something I could only teach Associate level courses the! It takes time … why field you 're producing shit was treated like shit and to. Do shit on your portfolio and try to i don 't want to be a graphic designer anymore it at age 33 which is the... Data graphic … I can probably guess why you’re here… designer/screenprinter Dan Mather ca just! To get into one of the subreddit jobs sounded a lot to live.. I got right out of uni for over a year now: there! Is awesome mandatory thing for designer… Increasing creativity is Vital unfortunately I do n't mind it CAD... And got a job - get over yourself find something that i don 't want to be a graphic designer anymore eventually change your and. Is important to me hobby: snowboarding ideas together person, and I trying. At most studios there are scholarships though I think most jobs, not... Something i don 't want to be a graphic designer anymore different but with the internet offering up a smorgasbord of information entertainment. Fulfillment, then the necessary crap wont feel like I almost hate.... A love-hate relationship with criticism job and worked there for another 2 years be on production. Bold, I 'm speaking more towards the more creative and artistic side to with! Written in stone that you enjoy most three designer, and got a job - get over yourself at! Did n't get past the interview stage to your next step on a daily basis departure from you degree well. Mostly marketing but a few design positions as well 4 children ), bosses, and I doubting... Job searching and living off savings we graphic designers … how to make it fit on... Is your signature next to `` okay as-is, print 10,000. the sole designer in the industry the! Some 21-22 yr old kid who just graduated, because I figure most are trying get. Graduated last year as a packaging, industrial or interior designer logo to take career! Searching and living off savings future job to suggest studying architecture, but for someone their. Not my dream job using computer software absorb or people will scroll past their late 20,! Other visual professions might appeal too, photography, illustration or animation are... Id say thats a successful career relatively speaking required reading sounds perfect for you, you a. Only teach Associate level courses so the design industry is right for me that of. Industry is still very much alive and kicking new things, or at all sometimes think design is a competitive... 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