Is getting a graphic design job that HARD!!

[rezagraphics]

I am so depressed, ive been going to junior college, and I have a certificate in graphic design, for the past year ive been looking left and right for a job, sending resumes and portfolios. Why cant I land a job!! So now, In getting my AA degree in Graphic Design hoping that with the higher degree, I am more succesfull. I know all the graphic design software and hardware. And im pretty darn good at designing. I have a lousy dead end job at ralphs merchandising products. But I want to get a job in my field. All my life ive been artistic, and drawing since, I was 5.
:mad:
Why is getting a job so hard

reza

[morea]

the short answer is yes.

For example, I have 5 years experience in design and printing and have been laid off twice in the past three years.

A lot of companies view designers as unnecessary or expendable, and it can be very difficult to find employment with someone who knows your true value. That's why I think a lot of designers take the extra step and work for themselves. It is still difficult of course, but you won't be at the mercy of a boss who doesn't understand what you are worth.

My best recommendation is to check over our job search threads here:
http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7892

and hang around... this is a great place to learn, commiserate, share, and get support.

Welcome to GDF. It will get better. :)

[emmerse]

yeah, and sometimes we don't wear pants either.

GDF: Come for the enlightened design discussion, stay for the no pants days

[morea]

presactly. LOL.

[JPnyc]

I think with the advent of the web companies are looking for graphic designers and web builders in one. They're kinda getting lumped together, when in reality they're totally different skill sets. Not even similar in type.

[PrintDriver]

But you don't have to have web skills to get a job as a graphic designer. There are arenas out there well outside the corporate norm. Think outside the corporate box.

For a reality check see what a production company does, or do a search for Museum Design or Custom Fabrication, or look into interactive production (more techno based), or check out the National Park Service contract site. Not that you can get a job doing any of these things right out of school (long apprenticeships) but with the help of your school you might find an internship at such a place, paid or not.

I did retail full and part time for 4 years just outta college with a BS in Studio Art. During that time I got several low/non-paying graphic internships, custom illustration, and print experience. The job I have now, while it is in production, I wouldn't trade for the world.

[mylkhead]

It's weird, because we are actually looking for a good and talented designer, but about 75% of the samples we get is really subpar stuff. It's hard to find a good designer who is looking to relocate and become part of a small company. We aren't a big firm or anything, so it's hard to offer the same kind of $$ as corporate firms. Which makes it hard to reel in the big fish.

[Emmanize]

Ooooh it’s VERY hard finding work….in any sector! I have been designing for the past 9/10 years and I am still having trouble! Mind you I am dyslexic so that dosn't help :o . I have always said that most of these companies need to get there heads out of the freaking clouds! They expect far too much and really pay sod all in return! To be honest I would try setting yourself up, most of the time degrees and whatnot don’t really matter, it’s who you know and the experience. That’s not to say that getting a degree is a bad idea mind, but I would do it for YOU and not for a company. It REALLY bugs me the way these people think that design is easier and of no importance. But id lurve to see how well business would do without designers. :D

[typographics]

whats an AA degree?

[morea]

my guess would be Associates in Arts.

[JPnyc]

Alcoholics anonymous was my 1st thought. That's telling, eh?

[typographics]

lol. you can get a degree in that?

[JPnyc]

I dunno. I dropped out

[morea]

some schools grant honorary doctorates... there's still hope. :p

[Stever]

my guess would be Associates in Arts.
that's it. http://www.answers.com/topic/associate-s-degree

[paulrandfan]

It never gets easier. I've got the bachelor's, currently going back for the masters, and it still never gets easier, and you still don't get the respect you deserve. Ever. Join the club, becomea closet smoker and drinker, don't go to meetings and you'll make it through.

[Stever]

and you still don't get the respect you deserve.
I have noticed this. Why do you think this is so?

[Ovaltine]

I have noticed this. Why do you think this is so?

Probably because design is often viewed as a subjuctive thing. "Everybody wants to be the Art Director", that's what one of my past art directors once told me. Design, like Art, is percieved to be "I like it", or "I don't like it" Since everyone has a different opinion of what they think they like or dislike, it doesn't matter how much training you have. The "bullies" will still insist on doing things their own way, and will often end up with bad design because of it.

The company I was working for last year let me go in October, then realized they needed me and brought me back in February (almost none of my projects were completed in my absence, and I've got them back now). They brought me back, but are, now, not providing healthcare. Do you think this has instilled ANY sense of loyalty in me? I am looking for another job, and even if they offer me a better deal here, I can't trust them now. This is what happens when bean-counters miss judge the value of their employees, they lose employee loyalty. I would have been happy to stick with them for 10 years, if they hadn't pulled this stunt.

[SurfPark]

I feel that the world of design might not even be a liveable one. I have yet to actual meet a person that has had long term success in the field.

[PrintDriver]

You aren't looking in the right places.

I know many many designers who are doing very, very well at what they do.
I'll bet many of your printers could tell you the same thing.

[reuber1]

I take it this is a common topic around this time of year in the soap box. Trust me, I was one of those (I tend to keep it going all year, you know, for consistency).

YES, it's harder than hell. I don't have many optimistic views on this, as opposed to a "good luck." I have an AS and BS, employers want experience though. The lovely catch 22, you need experience to get a job, and you need a job to get experience; PAIN in the ASS. And for the jobs that are realisticly within reach, the pay is SHIT, and barely liveable.

The real pain in the ass is when your work gets dated, and you don't have access to the software (unless you pirate it, then shame on you). Hopefully your college lets you back to use the software for free, for being an alumnus.

[PrintDriver]

If your work is getting 'dated' because of the software you use then something else is wrong. Keeping up with trends (much as I hate them) and current design theory is more important than the software you use. Heck, some of my best clients are still using Quark 4.11!

[reuber1]

Let me rephrase; if you're just out of school then I would imagine that most clients would suspect that most of what you are going to have are school projects, and aren't extremely amazing material. However, if you are 2 years out of school, and you haven't had a design job since then (sorta like myself), I would imagine most employers are still going to want to see something other than school work. Unfortunately for myself, school taught nothing of design and everything of software. In my case, my portfolio is "dated" in that it's not reflective of what I know now of design, but instead of what software I knew how to use; I'm not proud of my school work.

I didn't say it's an issue with software.

[rikbarwick]

I live in London mate and its just as bad, one bloke from my uni was pants at designing and was an arogant looser, he got a top job straight from uni for sleeping with the art director! So maybe there is an option, its a mess at the moment, unless your willing to work for free getting "experience" via placements you can't really get in anywhere unless you know someone! Try companies sometimes they have in house stuff it can be a great way of getting that years experience before moving on to an agency.

[colonel5]

the "creative" types need to be much more diverse than "just" a graphic designer if they want to work in house somewhere. For example I have been at my current job for about 15 months now and the reason I went from part time to full time to getting a good raise is because I kept offering other skill sets. On any given day I can be asked to do any of the following; web design, graphic design, photography, audio engineering, copy writing, apply vinyl to a vehicle or building, research and devlepment of company wide campaigns, project management, and much more.

Though I might not be getting every penny i think i deserve I definitely am making good money for my age, i have creative freedom, and a heck of a lot of job security.

Thank God I was lucky enough to have an opportunity like this drop in my lap because I know these things don't come along everyday, but any skill you can add to your resume are huge for potential employers.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I agree Colonol I am always trying to add new skills, you can never learn too much.

[Jeizzavelle]

Sometimes you have to take what you can get and learn all you can on the side while you pay the bills doing something less creative. Just keep at it!

[Lonepine]

Knowledge is power, baby!

[LeftBrain Artist]

The hard times, they is a comin'.

Virtually all new jobs being created are in the service sector, a natural result of manufacturing jobs going to other countries that are on the upswing of an industrial revolution. Obviously, when everyone is competing for jobs in the service sector, the value of those jobs will drop. Look at China, you've got about 100 million people competing for about 10 million factory jobs. That's why the labor cost is so low.

As manufacturing, food gathering, and construction technology becomes more advanced, as a society we spend less time providing ourselves with the basic neccessities of life. This means more time to devote to the arts and culture, and consequently graphic design. This results in a glut of readily available, talented individuals to choose from. When supply is high and demand is low - the invisible hand picks its invisible nose. This is true for the other, more traditional arts as well: theatre, music, sculpture, painting, movies etc.

If this job ever goes south, I'm going to give serious consideration to becoming a plutocrat, they seem to be doing well these days.