Burnt Out

[beseech wanton]

I am currently working at a mid-sized IT company that does alot of records management and software development. I am the ONLY designer at our company and do all of their in-house design work. I got this job right out of college, and it's my first GD job. My problem is that I am getting really tired of working in a 'corporate' environment and am really getting burned out doing EVERYTHING that requires even the smallest amount of creativity since no one else here can do those things.

Anyways, I am thinking about quiting and trying something new, maybe freelancing...I know I won't make nearly as much money as I do now..am I making a bad mistake? Are there any other in-house designers out there that feel the as me?

[jimking]

How long have you been at this job?

[beseech wanton]

two years in October

[rickself]

How old are you?
It's a tough world out there, man. Have your ducks in a row before you try to jump ship. I say, congrats on having the corporate job. Good resume builder. From I understand, Jim, DC's a tough market.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Yeah, make sure you have enough paying work before quiting a good fulltime, you don't want to have live out of a garbage can.

[beseech wanton]

I don't know...I just think that I could improve myself and my design work by quitting and taking a lower level gd job under someone else who I could learn from...also I think by not making as much money and living 'out of a garbage can' might spark some more creativity out of me, because I am getting so burned out here..should I really just suck it up and stop complaining? Do I have it better off than most designers and just not realize it?

Thank you guys so much for all your input!

[Red Kittie Kat]

Maybe ask for a vacation or something ..... try to get away where you can clear your head and really figure out if you want to start that job hunt all over again .... If you are really unhappy then yes ... start looking .... but don't quit and then try to look. It will only add to your frustration.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/bighug.gif

[rickself]

I've seen my share of designers do the same and end up in GD pergetory - PREPRESS!! Once you enter, you NEVER get out! http://www.mysticwicks.com/images/smilies2/devil.gif

Best of luck with the decsion you make. I can see your point about being pushed into a different frame of mind. But also, food and a roof over your head are essentials. Nothing wrong with looking WHILE you work, is there?

[Logo-Mechanix]

Don't just bite the bullet there is nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself just make sure you have something else lined up before you quit. Decent paying steady jobs are hard to come by.

[morea]

Don't just bite the bullet there is nothing wrong with wanting to better yourself just make sure you have something else lined up before you quit. Decent paying steady jobs are hard to come by.

no kidding. I got downsized 6 months ago and haven't been able to find work since - and I am not restricting my job search to design by any means... I think that I have applied everywhere but McDonald's at this point.

[Jackimalyn]

I hear ya. Im working In-house at a manufacturing company. I mostly do marketing because they dont require too much GD. Its my first job in the field, I would love to work at an agency and work ad a designer but I know Id take a huge pay cut. Someday, Ill have to d oit though. Id have something lined up before you quit though. Get some freelance clients or something. Good luck-

[TheBluePanda]

Yeah, make sure you have enough paying work before quiting a good fulltime, you don't want to live out of a garbage can.

I dunno, that works well for some people.

http://muppet.wikia.com/images/c/c9/OG-p0002-ST.jpg

[jimking]

How old are you?
It's a tough world out there, man. Have your ducks in a row before you try to jump ship. I say, congrats on having the corporate job. Good resume builder. From I understand, Jim, DC's a tough market.
Tough market? Not sure what you mean. There is a ton of work here because of the federal government and many large businesses have their headquarters here to be close to the action if you know what I mean.

[Jackimalyn]

awww. he looks so happy!! better than eeyore always had it...

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j139/jackimalyn/good_morning_eeyore.gif

[jimking]

I just realized Wonton's from DC. Well if you go to monster.com or the Washington Post help wanted section on the internet, there are tons of graphic design positions in the DC area. If you are burnt out at this job, you shouldn't have a problem with 2 years under your belt getting a more creative position. Just be prepared to drive in the worst traffic getting to your new job.

[beseech wanton]

Yea I have been looking on job sites as well as craigslist, there does seem to be alot of GD jobs available in the DC area...o and jim..I am very familar with DC traffic..I drive from alexandria to McLean on 495 every morning to get to my current job..thank goodness for the sports junkies..they make the commute bearable

Thanks again to everyone's insight!

[reuber1]

I've been out of college for two years, still haven't had a job that has really taught me anything about design besides what I already know; in this area, tech support has been the next best thing I can get. It's tough, enjoy what you've got though.

[jimking]

Yea I have been looking on job sites as well as craigslist, there does seem to be alot of GD jobs available in the DC area...o and jim..I am very familar with DC traffic..I drive from alexandria to McLean on 495 every morning to get to my current job..thank goodness for the sports junkies..they make the commute bearable

Thanks again to everyone's insight!
I drive your opposite. I drive and work in OldTowne Alexandria comming from near Mclean towards the bridge from hell "Wilson Bridge"! Which they blew up the other day! :D

[Logo-Mechanix]

Trust me traffic in NJ is not walk er drive in the park either, I drive 24 miles one way to work and it takes about an hour sometimes longer. And god forbid we get a few flurries, once while at work we got about an inch of snow, it took 3 hours to go that 24 miles, I didn't get home until 8 at night.

[jimking]

Only 3 hours? Not bad, not bad. :D

[reuber1]

Gotta love traffic once the first flurries drop. It could be the least treacherous snow ever, and people will still drive as though they've never driven in it.

[sophiemt]

find a job where you can work with other creatives - even if it's just one other person - working with another artist-type will cure what ails you everytime. good luck. :D

[rickself]

Tough market? Not sure what you mean. There is a ton of work here because of the federal government and many large businesses have their headquarters here to be close to the action if you know what I mean.Ooops, guess I as thinking of the printing business in DC. Sounded like there was one on every other corner.

[naydies]

I know I won't make nearly as much money as I do now..am I making a bad mistake?

Kind of late on this one. I make more money now freelancing than I did at my last job. I don't have the benefit package that I did there. I just consider not having a boss over my head daily, starting work at noon if I want, working in my pajamas and being able to have a beer at noon if I want my benefit package. It takes time but it can work out for the best. Maybe start working on freelancing while you're still at that job. It will get your focus on something else.

[jimking]

Ooops, guess I as thinking of the printing business in DC. Sounded like there was one on every other corner.
At one time Rick there was 700 printers of one form or the other in this area. The problem was it became a cut throat business even with a lot of shops closing their doors. I believe as far as prepress goes there's crop of techs looking for work and the printers know this and are jacking the wages down to around $20 an hour. Or are attempting to do this. I know of 2 techs with 50 years of combined experience who have dropped prepress as careers because of this.

[Eraser Nubbin]

Little late too...
But I am in the same spot wonton. Got this inhouse gig that I have learned a ton at, get paid pretty well, and work with good people.

I just worry that working on the same corporate identity year in and year out will stifle my growth. I am also worried about getting caught in the money trap where I get a raise each year that keeps me around... and find myself working at the same place ten years down the road because I was worried another job wouldn't pay the bills.

I try and do work on the side but sometimes find it hard to spend all day on the computer and then come home and spend the weekend and evenings doing the same.

I think you are bang on with wanting to work under someone else who has a creative flare and a lot of experience. I also worry that working as the only designer in house has aided in me fostering many bad habits that I may not even know about.

Let me know how things work for you.