Does this career MEAN anything?

[catgreens]

Hi, this is my first post.
I graduated in May with a degree in graphic communications, I loved school and learning design, now I've been working as an entry-level designer for six months. I sit in a cubicle eight or nine hours a day, no window,and my designs look like crap because the company boss knows nothing about effective design and makes me dumb down all my ideas. I don't want any of them in my portfolio..

Is it normal to feel like you chose the wrong career when you first start out? Sometimes I feel like design doesn't MEAN anything..other than to sell some idiot a bottle of water for $2.00 or make someone else look cool. It's not like I expect to find a cure for cancer but I did expect something more than just making another loud crappy ad. We have enough of those.

I'd appreciate ANY words of encouragement/advice or to know I'm not alone in these feelings. I guess graphic design and I have lost the passion in our relationship. We need therapy.

[Mickey]

Catgreens, your not alone I think that everybody in design has had a first job out of collage that you just puke up crap designs. But its experience. and that is the only way you will learn what not to do as far as design when your aloud to make the decisions. I was in a print shop for 2yrs doing prepress and typesetting business cards 8hr a day. But I learned a crapload about prepress that now allows me to design things that print in ways other designer would never think of trying. A very good thing came out of 2yrs of crap. EXPIERENCE. If you do designs that you like and your boss makes you change them make sure you keep and print out your versions for you portfolio, who cares if it is not what was used in the end if it looks good use it to your advantage. Stick with it, try to do some freelance and build a portfoilo that will allow you to move on as soon as you can. Always look for something better and send out a lot of resumes. The more you interview the better you will become at it and you will eventually break out of your crap job into a career in design.

I did. after 2yrs in the printshop I now work as the sole designer for a national association and in two short years here have a portfilio full of great work.

If you can get 6 portfoilo quality peices per year in your book you do well!!

http://home.wi.rr.com/mygraphics/konceptcreative.jpg

[Madora]

Catgreens,
Where'd you go to school? Graphic Communications is what I have my degree in and I've heard that's not a common degree program. Just wondering. Bachelor or Associate degree?

"Who am I? Where did I come from? Who are these demons, and why do they relentlessly cross my path?"

[catgreens]

Thanks for the advice. The 'real world' is so much different than school. I went to California State University Chico and the B.A. is technically called 'Communication Design with an Option in Graphic Design' so whatever they want to make it as long as possible I guess. I felt the program was really well-rounded and prepared me technically but not for the day to day of how to deal with bosses and stuff. I guess I should be happy with the job I have because the friends I went to school with the same degree haven't found any work yet.
I've been working on my own designs at home to keep my creativity alive, it's just the 8-hour a day routine of boringness that is killing me. Eh, I guess instead of working I'll surf graphic design forums instead! Naughty!

[Drorain]

catgreens Hang with us, you 'll stay insane, and your welcome to discuss ideas

- Everyday, all the time, without fail!

[Drorain]

hmm I noticed I wrote you'll stay insane...cool I guess its true when dealing with bosses

- Everyday, all the time, without fail!

[D-Zine]

Welcome Catgreens! Yeah the real world is way different huh! hehe! Its cool tho..its gets better the more you learn. Alyways learnin in this field! We all have what we call sh*t jobs. They come and go but even in some of those jobs you can learn alot!

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[defjoe]

Actually.. your even lucky to have a job fairly quickly out of college. As many will tell you in this forum...that is a hard thing to do. The big problem with most newbies in this industry is they come out of college thinking they are going to work for 'A-list' Advertising and be doing major ad campaigns right out of the box. But the reality os FAR different. Printshop doing name changes on business cards is more likely. you BUILD up to the A-List. but it takes years. I wish colleges would explain this to potential students.

But you asked if it is normal to feel this way? Well your learning if your going to like this career now. Better today then 20 years in and decide 'Why did I waste my time?'

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'

[D-Zine]

I agree with Joe...if you have a job now you're lucky. Took me 6 months outta college to find something and it was just OK...but I learned alot so just be open. You have time still to decided if its what you really wanna do or not.

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[vzero]

You could always take my route. I opened my own small company and get to do what i really want to do. The hardest part was just getting that first client after that its easy, If you are stateside there are hundreds of programs to help young entrepeneurs off the ground with grants for tech and other areas. just a thought, but u do have to work about 16 hours a day and get really good at self promotion.

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Perfection

[D-Zine]

You should learn as much as you can in as many areas as graphic design that you can, to find out what area you enjoy the most and where your strong points are. You are always going to have times where you turn out work that you consider to be CRAP work...trust me, I have to do it everyday where I work but you aren't going to be at that one job forever. I highly recommend that you take on a job with a print shop of some sort. I know everyone gets tired of hearing me say that...hehee...but you will learn ALOT and it is imformation that you need to know, that they don't give you in school. Being out in the field you will learn 10 times over what you learned in school..I promise.

I totally agree with everything Mickey said above. You are just starting out...its rare to get a glamourous GD job 6 months into the field. I started out at $7/hr as an ad designer...ick...and then $8.50 at a print shop...8 years in and I am still what I consider on the low end but that's bc I am working for newspapers but I like my work, I like the troubleshooting and I like seeing the end result. I DON'T like salespeople but thats a whole nutther ballgame :o) So its not all ad agency, awesome, big office glamour...haha...you just have to find your niche I think :o)

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

[danspocket]

i have a slightly different take on the 'meaning' of a career in design.

if you're in advertising, the reality is that it's a shallow, self-serving, money-is-all industry. but that's what advertising is - we're trying to get someone to buy a widget.

it is what it is.

if you want meaning, go work for a non-profit. but be prepared for slim living :)

your feelings are the product of a design-education system that takes itself too seriously. the prof's, the instructors, the aging AD's of the design world have huge egos (the most outspoken ones, anyway), and it's misleading to a young designer like yourself.

the good news is that some day you'll be an AD at an agency, and get to make some intern's life hell...and enjoy it :) what you're experiencing now is a war story...it your 'when i was young...' story ten years from now. embrace it! the more hell you go through, the more respect you'll get from your future interns!

seriously - we are designers. our 'problems' are nothing. ours is a career of want, not need.

[PrintDriver]

Hmmm...

I don't know danspocket...

I know some exhibit designers (and I mean Museum exhibit, not trade show) that design graphics to teach and inform without selling (usually). They make decent money. Yes, small niche, but you don't have to starve to do meaningful work.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[court6478]

The 'meaning' of design: First off, we are communicators and problem solvers. It is our job to take often mundane information and present it in such a way that people they must read it. We work for those who have a product or service to sell. We are not often the ones who write the copy or gather the research behind it. We present. Often the presentation must be mundane as well. Sometimes it needs bells and whistles (and star bursts) to attract. We are part of a bigger picture. Do your part well and opportunities will follow. One other thing. Your first job is only your first step in what can be a lucrative career. Every little task you get now is an opportunity to learn something or improve on something. Embrace that.

http://gallery.cybertarp.com/albums/userpics/19511/Signature.jpg

The 'Lettering Guy' says: 'It's not only what you say, but how well you say it.'

[LTG]

Hey PD - do you think the graphic designers that go into museum exhibit work have a little more of a fine arts emphasis and background in their education?

If it wasn't for the last minute nothing would ever get done.
(When I grow up I want to be just like Keyare! He does excellent work - even when he's trying to not to.)

[PrintDriver]

LTG-

Not really a fine arts thing. You're thinking of a museum exhibit as an Art Museum. I'm talking about the little travelling exhibits you see at an aquarium or Science museum, or even the main exhibits in such. The main ability is to be able to think three-dimensionally. Things have a back and sides, not just a front. An interest in the subject of the exhibit helps, so I guess this type of designer is more of a 'renaissance person', interested in all things, time periods, and styles. Also a little technical knowledge of image work for very large format helps. It's very expensive to make a resolution mistake at exhibit size. The actual casework and physical details are usually done by an architect within the firm (or by us if we're hired for it) so knowing how to build isn't really a necessity as long as you can communicate an idea or are willing to trust to another's skill.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

Post Edited (PrintDriver) : 3/30/2004 5:54:36 PM GMT

[LTG]

Sorry PrintDriver - that's exactly where my head went - 'Art Museum'. Probably because that's the personal dilema in my head at the moment (at 47 do I want to pursue more fine arts education or more graphic design education) so I guess I was thinking artsy fartsy. Sorry to be so 'duh'!

If it wasn't for the last minute nothing would ever get done.
(When I grow up I want to be just like Keyare! He does excellent work - even when he's trying to not to.)

[PrintDriver]

Is ok, LTG
Not too many people think of the crazy side of Graphic Design. Besides actual exhibit graphics, some of the creatives I work with do interactive design - programming games for kids to learn - sometimes in html, sometimes more sophisticated. Others plan huge shows for product launches, other corporate 'parties' or big events, and still others plan sets/scenery for small corporate functions, webcasts and meetings. There's more to it than the printed page and advertising and it's somewhat sad that kids aren't told all their options in college.

One of our clients is Jack Morton Worldwide. Check out their website and see some of the cool stuff they do besides advertising and marketing (they have photo links under What We Do>Product Launches and >Events. Scroll for em) - and think about the graphic design that goes into that kind of stuff.

As for more education, go for it if you feel it will enhance your abilities. Fine art gives you ideas of what's been done and what can be done, gd education will teach you (maybe) the mechanics of the programs and the elements of good design. I've never been one to say go get that Masters degree as, frankly, I really don't know a designer who has one.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[LTG]

wow - pretty amazing things JM Worldwide does. I don't think BIG. I've always been pretty intimidated by BIG. I don't think I could create a spectacle either. Small town girl, small town stuff. (although when we went to NY City and Boston last summer, I LOVED IT and I had thought I would feel overwhelmed by the BIGNESS and the spectacle of it all!) My dad was a sign artist when they still used paint (I grew up looking a 'Signs of the Times' mags for entertainment) and I helped him in his shop for a while in my early 20s - but I was totally overwhelmed when it came to the billboards and big outdoor advertising and ended up working more on the smaller stuff.

You're right PD - you ought to start a campaign to educate the educators so they could better educate the GD students as to all their possibilies.:)

If it wasn't for the last minute nothing would ever get done.
(When I grow up I want to be just like Keyare! He does excellent work - even when he's trying to not to.)

[YellowDart]

Yea, that seems pretty normal to me. Most people hate their first job in any given career field. I can't speak for design specific jobs, since I'm just getting ready to graduate in December this year from Arizona State. I was forutnate enough to land a good (and paying!) internship in school. I work for a publishing company that does have some notable publications under their belt (most notably Smart Computing, PC Today, and Computer Power User magazines). My job here isn't the most glamourous. Aside from the magazines (which I wish I had more work from that area of the company) we publish blue-collar trade papers that advertise for dealers located all over the US, Canada, and Europe. I get to update our customers' websites, most of which are FAR from portfolio-worthy.

I can relate with some of the above posts. It's hard starting out. I've been working @ my degree while working full time for the past 7 years. I initially got my Associates in design, only to find out that most companies weren't hiring any designers with anything less than equivalent to a BA. So back to school I go... this time for the BA. I got started @ ASU, only to find out that all that credit I earned at the community college only transfers as elective credit! Thanks community college for lying about your entire degree program being transferrable to ASU! So lucky me got to start over as a first semester sophomore. I definitely agree w/ the above posts stating that schools do jack sh!t to prepare you for what's really going on out there... they just want your money, and will do all they can to keep you in school as long as they can.

Although some of the work I do now is far and away some of the fugliest looking work I've ever turned out, I have learned a ton more than any professor has ever taught me @ school. Just keep going, hang onto any potential portfolio pieces you turn out, and make the best of your situation. You'll get to move up... just do the best with what you have, and keep an eye out for better opportunities. ;)

Post Edited (YellowDart) : 5/17/2004 9:06:24 PM GMT

[paulrandfan]

be glad you have something. I just graduated last week...am looking...and frustrated. I've been on three or four interviews, and sent my resume everywhere (and I mean e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e). Take what you can get, work it, get the experience, and move up. I'd take anything right now...just for the experience.

As for meaning...that's for you to decide, it's different for everyone.

[Drorain]

This career means alot, but its jobs like this that make our career look like a joke! See below
Guys offering 8.00 per hour, That hurts, especially when hes located in an area of massachusettes thats so damn expensive to libe in, I'd apply if I could get him to offer 14 an hour at least...

I hate not working in the industry, but I can't accept a job that pays that low
--------
Junior Graphic Designer*
Company: Boulanger & Associates
Location: 02021
Status: Part Time, Temporary/Contract/Project
Job Category: Advertising/Marketing/Public Relations


Use the employer's preferred method to send your resume - click Apply Now! *

Job Description
Growing, full-service agency with funky client mix is searching for an entry-level,
Junior Designer/Mac Production Artist, to join our team. Exciting clients, cool work
atmosphere and opportunity is what you’re looking for. Creative book, solid production
skills and attention to detail are what we’re looking for. This is contract to full-time
position, 4 days per week. Strong Quark, Photoshop, Illustrator skills a must, HTML/
Web experience a big plus. Candidates must have at least one year of relative work
experience or internship. Position pays $8 per hour. Please send your on-line portfolio
(or CD with pdfs) along with your resume. No phone calls, please.

- Everyday, all the time, without fail!

[defjoe]

4 days per week = Mon - Thur... 32 hours

so basically full time but sh*t pay

'I will become the most powerful Jedi ever!'

[Big Perm-dizzle]

$8 an hour....what a joke.....you can work at walmart for more money

I am in my last week at my internship making $5.50 and next week I start my new job making $15 so you can guess I UNmoviated I am at my internship this week....

out of 75 classmates that have internships from my school there are two of us that got paying internships...I guess people think school, rent, gas, food and clothing is free too

JUST LAUNCHED - www.hirethisdesigner.com (http://www.hirethisdesigner.com) - check it out

[Drorain]

HAHAHA Got paid for my freelance work I did last week, 6.5 hours, 72.00, thats 12.00 per hour, not bad for one day, They'll call when they need some work done, anyway have an interview tomorrow for a job offering 28-30k hope I can land this one. It would be awesome

- Everyday, all the time, without fail!

[evilryu209]

i goto CSU chico right now, and am in the major, yea it is well rounded, but not that concentrated..its aight....im gonna gradute end of 2004...tried to get an internship at the asbookstore today as a in designer for them, i dunno how well i did, man why can i just get paid to beat those?