Lifestyle of the Graphic Designer

[Shlomo]

I am a junior Visual Communications major seeking advice from those who design in the real world. Please post this on your site for commenting, or forward this to those you think could provide feedback.
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A guest speaker at my art/design school and informed my graphic design major that it is normal for professional designers to work 70+ hour work weeks consistently. I am deeply committed and passionate about art and design, however, I am extremely scared that after I graduate, I am heading toward a lifestyle that will leave no time for me to relax and enjoy other parts of life. I already live at my studio due to the large amount of work, and can't see myself being able do this much past graduation.I feel very lopsided. I enjoy the work, but there are too many all nighters - I don't see my non art school friends anymore!

I know that a lot depends on where you live, and who you work for, but I would like some help in getting a sense of what kind of hours and time commitment I will have to adopt to be successful. I know I can do the work, I just don't want to make myself miserable doing so.

P.S. I have had a couple internships in my hometown, and been reading magazines like print, communication arts, and digit; this is the fist time I have been made aware that professionals usually live in their offices / studios. How could I have missed this for so long?

[EC]

I work a lot of hours when I'm in my "busy season" (winter months); I almost always put in hours on the weekends, I often start my day really really early or end it really really late (compared to the average 9-5er). The summer months are much more mellow, though.

Finding a balance is something I strive for; I know that it's important to take time out of each day to relax, workout, nurture friendships/relationships and hobbies, etc. That's pretty much in anything you do.

I love what I do, so the time I spend at work I enjoy -- I don't watch the clock (ever)! Part of that might be due to the fact that I'm self-employed. This job of mine, while I might work more hours than some other worker bees out there -- is a lifestyle choice in and of itself. I don't have much work-related stress, and to me, that's worth it's weight in gold. So when I do take time to do other things, I don't have my job weighing on my mind. I don't dread mondays, I look forward to them.

If I wanted to work 40 hours a week, I could. But I choose not to.

Hope that helps.

[jlknauff]

70 hours, lol...maybe on a light week. Plan on putting in the hours, especially when you first start - but don't think it's just this industry. It would be the same if you were a lawyer, investment banker or stock broker.

[Thomas51471]

Yeah, the work hours aren't that much different from other "work you way up and put in your dues" careers.

Really, it depends on what level of career you want. If you are happy with bottom barrel then putting in 40 hours a week at a regular 8-5 job like a typesetter or pre-press place works. If you want to make it bigger in life you will have to put in more hours, but it like that anywhere.

Now, if you are self-employeed, no matter the career, you are in for long long long hours. It's really up to you. But I don't think it is fair to say that everyone in this business puts in 70+ hours.

[Ned]

Charge more and work less, or charge less and work more. It all averages out either way. I choose to work less. :D

[Drorain]

hahah thats funny...70 hours. Thats freaking hysterical actually, I work 40 hours, thats it. If I'm working 70 hours a week, then I better be making 60k a year. Not even my boss works 70 hours...maybe 45-50, I dont know I leave before her all the time. I cant think of anyone working 70 hours consistantly unless your in an overlarge company with a way understaffed art dept.

Even if I'm freelancing on the side I wont expect more than 55 hours.

lol *sheds a tear laughing*

hacks and over-achievers...oh just a little background...your work pace is slow in college. You learn how to work a lot faster on the job, deadlines and simple use of programs teach ya that

Edit: even working my way up the ladder, I'm not working more than 50 hours until I'm make at least 40k...simple math...if the boss doesnt like it, get some other ball licker cause I busted my ass thru school, I'm not putting my self in an early grave to see a some low budget newsletter go out.

[sadesigner]

Great post Shlomo! It's the simple rules of the trade: If you want to get somewhere you will have to work hard.

I'm not talking about working intelligently - that's something you pick up with experience and enables you to do more in less time, which makes you a valuable asset to any company.

I'm also not talking charging more, since you have to start 'working for someone else'. You don't have to, but I'd advise it if you want to clock up some experience.

If it's you who's doing all the work, put in those hours! Not 70 though. You can easily expect 10 hours + a day (Within the working week) without overtime pay around here (Cape Town (http://capetown.tblog.com)). It totally depends on the industry, location and the type of boss you'll get. If there's allot of work around (which there's usually not) you'd be able to go for a few interviews and check things out. Thing is, for you to be able to choose where you want to work, you're really going to have to be quite excellent!

My advice: Put your head down and work hard, and try and work intelligently. I have had many discussions with my designers (when just starting) to not fuss too much about small details initially, but being able to get the concept right (and approved) first. They tended to spend hours on small detail when the concept wasn't even approved, wasting valuable time...

sad

[GreenThumb]

What life?

[defjoe]

when you first starting out.. .you will work alot and for little money. As you get into it and depending where you work and for whom. it could be 70+ hours all the time. could be less though. This is NOT as 9-5 job. It's not a 9-5 industry.

[PrintDriver]

I'd rather see a "get it done" attitude than an "I'm out the door at 5, screw you" attitude.

The way to avoid getting screwed on a 70 hour work week, and they do happen, is to get hourly pay, not salary. Careful what you sign up for when you hire on. Make sure you know your compensation for overtime up front. This goes for freelancers as well. Someone comes in with a rush gotta-have-it job, you charge accordingly.

Graphic design, like printing, is a 'service industry'. If you don't get the work done on time and on budget, you don't make money and if overtime is what it takes to get the job done, you do it. Or find another industry.

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

In 27 years as a designer I don't know that I've ever worked a 70+ hour week. I work to live, rather than living to work. Admittedly there have been times when specific projects have required the investment of more time than the regular 40 hour work week - but for me that's not the norm. When you are first starting out you may expect to put in some long hours, but that will only continue throughout your career if you let it or want to live your life in that manner.

Years ago I set office hours of Monday through Thursday, 8-5 and that's the only time I have client contact. I can work hours other than those if I wish, but my clients know (or at least I need to educate them) that they will not hear from me outside of those hours. In order to have a personal life I don't work evening or weekends - unless my partner specifically mentions a need to spend some time on work.

- J.

[Drorain]

Guess I've been fortunate so far, and I've worked both corporate and small business...the only time I'm expecting hours as long as 70 plus a week is when we're prepping for the NSS show in NY...thats in May. But thus far, I've only done the 40-maybe 43 hours a week. But I used to work 2 jobs doing 55 hours a week.

PD is right tho a screw it I'm leaving attitude isn't good to have, if their is deadlines to meet...you need to stay late and get it down. I've just been lucky :D

[Jason Fraker]

I work on a flex-time schedule. Sometimes I work over, but I balance it out by leaving early other times. The time sheet always says 40 hours, unless there's a big project and I ask if OT is OK. Mostly, I work right around 40 hours. Guess I'm not that ambitious. I'd rather spend time with my wife and kid than climb some stupid corporate ladder. It's better to own the ladder anyway.

Having said that, I do occationally work my butt off on a freelance job. The worst that's ever gotten was about 60 hours, and a couple sleepless nights.

[Eraser Nubbin]

I've never consistantly worked seventy hour weeks, seems a couple weeks a year that something comes down to crunch time like a trade show or a manual printing and long hours get put in. I've found though with a couple of the places that I have worked that the bosses recognize that kind of commitment and compensate you some how with a day off once the project is done or something similar.

[reuber1]

Who was it with the rule of thirds to balance out your life? 1/3 of time for work, 1/3 of time for play, 1/3 of time rest. Nowadays people seem to only find 4/5 work, 1/5 rest acceptable. What's wrong with this picture? Is our sole purpose in life to work ridiculous hours, only to rest a little bit to do it again tomorrow? You've got to have balance, and you have to have a life. Especially in design, you need a variety of life experiences to draw from when creating. Sound too idealistic? Maybe, or maybe people need to wake up and realize that the bottom line isn't as important as your own well-being.

For the last two months I've been working around 75/80 hour weeks between the both of my jobs, and I HATE it. Sometimes, I wish I was still in school... I'm thinking of becoming a full-time student forever. That would rock. :cool:

[TheBluePanda]

I currently work 40hrs a week. Some people are saying that when you start a job, you'll be putting in ungodly hours sometimes. In my situation, I think its the opposite. When I have more experience here (currently only a couple of months), I think I'll be more involved in the massive projects that require crazy hours sometimes. Right now my tasks are pretty straightforward and require no overtime.

[colonel5]

1) the guy who told you 70 hours is the norm is probably just trying to weed out the ones with the "i'm done at 5" attitudes, because in order to be effective you have to put in some extra hours sometimes (coming in early and or staying late)

2) anyone who says they work at least 70 hours a week all the time at one job is either a) someone who thinks getting attention for lying about how many hours they work a weak is cool or b) someone who actually does work 70 hours a week and therfore would not have time to tell you that they work 70+ hrs a week

[reuber1]

What irks me about this job I'm at now is I just have to be available during this time to answer questions, otherwise I just sit here with practically nothing to do...I don't have a plateful of cases right now. I don't like downtime. When I'm on worktime, give me some work to do so I don't feel guilty about having "some" time off. Thankfully from here on out it's 54 hours maximum. :)

[The_Black_Knight]

Let's see, I've been doing this for about 10 years now, and I don't think I have ever worked 70 hours in a week. I've put in 55-60 hours just a few times, and I've also pulled a few all-nighters when necessary, but I've never worked 70 hours in one week. I know of a few agencies that seem to expect people to work really long hours all the time for very little pay, but they have really high employee turnaround, and I stay as far away as I can from mills like that. I've also known people have nothing in their lives but their work, and I can tell you that they are never fun to be around; all they know about is work, so that's all they talk about!

[keith1]

70+ hours is ridiculous. Even though in the past I have worked 90+ hours once a week every month for a 1.5 years straight. That's because I had a full time job and took on a freelance magazine gig laying out the entire issue once a month and they only gave me 7 days. Yeah it sucked, but I needed the cash...bad. Plus it was only one week of hell a month for a fat check.

[reuber1]

70+ hours is ridiculous. Even though in the past I have worked 90+ hours once a week every month for a 1.5 years straight. That's because I had a full time job and took on a freelance magazine gig laying out the entire issue once a month and they only gave me 7 days. Yeah it sucked, but I needed the cash...bad. Plus it was only one week of hell a month for a fat check.
Ouch. That is insane.

[keith1]

Yeah, booze got me through it though. :D

[Chris79]

I have not yet worked a 70 hour week. I don't plan to spend my life working even though I enjoy my work. I don't mind busting buns and putting in an occasional 70 hour week if the projects demand it. In fact, I love a good challenge, so I say - "bring it on" BUT to consistently do 70 hour weeks, week after week after week.... no thank you.

[keith1]

Word to big bird.

[Eraser Nubbin]

How funky is your chicken?

[Eraser Nubbin]

Those really long arduous work weeks are gruelling, but at the same time that following weekend feels better than any other weekend following a meeslee 40 hour work week.

[Rocketpig]

It makes me cry when I think about how much I work.

I do the 40 hour gig monday through friday, and then meet with freelance clients and work on their projects on nights and weekends about 20 hours a week . Then I restore my old Triumph when I'm not doing that. And when I'm not restoring the car, I'm drinking heavily to keep myself sane.

[EC]

I started my day today at 5am, worked until about 8pm last night. I have to do the "double time" routine in order to take two days off this week. *sigh* Pass the coffee.

[Mynock]

http://opus.hcs.state.or.us/images/programs/homeless-large.jpg

[LeftBrain Artist]

Most I ever did was a bit over 80 in a week. That's what prompted me to get out of Bronze Art Foundry and go back to school for GD. It was a cool job, but not that cool. I do overtime when necessary now, but if you're smart, and spend some time organizing your workflow, you shouldn't have to do anymore than 45 hours per week (average) per year. Most I've done in one day has been 16 hours, but that was only once. There will always be a few situations each year that require massive time invested in a short amount of time - but I usually find its due to poor planning on the clients part, and bailing them out of a jam should come with a price.

It seems to me that many of those that find themselves in workaholic schedules tend to exalt their hellacious pace as a virtuous trait - I'm not sure if they truly beleive this, or if its just rationalizing their misery. Granted, they do have the competitive edge when in comes to willingness to put in long hours. But is it really worth it.

Much like $79.99 logos, it can be argued that adhering to these work intensive schedules devalues the industry, as it forces the rest of us to work more time intensive work weeks for relatively lower wages in order to remain competitive. And once the clients realize they have people willing to do logos for dirt cheap or consistently put in 70 hours a week on their project, its very difficult to lower their expectations back down to a reasonable level.

[Pete33]

Good grief! How do you guys get enough work to fill a 70-hour week! I'm lucky if I have maybe six weeks like that in a year. The rest is either far more "normal" at around 35 hours, or graveyard-quiet, like this week, and much of the summer.

I definitely need to work on my marketing skills, it seems.

[distruktor]

same for me as with Pete... i average around 40ish i guess, man where do you guys work? We've got a pool table, a table foot ball machine and a huge stereo thats hooked up to a widescreen tv/ps2...

to answer the original question i think it depends where you work as to how many hours you do, what sort of work your designing and most important how much fun the work environment is.

I have been doing this for eleven years now and refuse to work anywhere that has a sh*t atmosphere, a fun and relaxed working atmosphere is conducive to creativity... as creatives we need to be inspired to produce good work, and that isnt just down to the working environment, things like well written briefs and colleagues that arent up their own arse are also important things to consider.

When i go for an interview i treat it more as if im interviewing them... i ask to see their portfolio, and ask if i can look around the building and meet some of the members of staff. If any one of these things suck i wont take the job.

If all the stuff ive ranted on about above is to your liking you can guarantee that the social life out of work is pretty cool too... my friends and work friends mingle out of work and i would want it anyother way...

All the professionals i work with dont live in their offices, sure, if a pitch is on we work late, but normal hours dont take the p*ss, social life is good in and out of work... be it playing pool or whatever in the day for a brain break, or going down the pub at lunchtime or going out for a few beers after work

look hard enough and you'll find a smart job, basically, dont just settle for any old shite cuz it pays the bills! Thats the road of boredom and death.

dis.

[balou]

I think we need to move across the pond to get those dishy work hours!!

[Drorain]

http://www.classicgaming.com/rotw/altbwizard.gif

okay for the first time in my life I can see it...

a 70 hour workweek happens when you have a 12 page newsletter, and two brochures to do alongside preparing for a trade show....someone wanna shoot me now?

[Pete33]

Isn't it fun! :p I just had a similar week at last. A four-page brochure along with a single page flyer, and two magazine adverts, and an animated GIFF for an online advertising magazine, all in the same week.

It makes you feel even better when you see the effect it has on your accounts balance...

[PrintDriver]

Wah.
I been doing 68's for 3 weeks. And on far more projects than that. That's the print sided of Showbiz though...
But the OT is GREAT!
:D

[Drorain]

damn damn damn salary pay :p

[colonel5]

I'm on salary... but I get profit sharing bonuses and my boss and the owner expect me to leave at 5 everyday. The only semi-bad deal is when they call a lunch meeting, but even then they always buy me lunch so I can't complain too much.

There will probably come a day over the next couple years where this company won't be able to afford me, but hopefully by then I will have already moved on and up.

Bottom line, if you're not enjoying what you do, then you're in the wrong business