Opposing forces

[tZ]

While I have my thoughts together I'm going to ask.

I have been working at an internship now for about 3 months. The people I work with are great, the job is easy and hours are flexible. I was planning on finishing this internship up(not paid) and moving on with my life to what is hopefully bigger and better things(which I will explain later). However, I ahe been offered a paid internship for when I come back in january(take in mind I am still attending school). While, I would love to be paid and get even more experience without much hassle(interviews,portfolio build,etc) I'm not real certain if this will be the best.

Here's why. Over the last couple months I have concluded two things about were I work. Firstly, its very uncreative. I kinda feel more like desktop publisher(excuse my french) rather then a designer because of the bland aesthetic I'm forced to work with. Also, I'm constantly redesigning work because of little stupid edits. Also, there is no direction. Well… direction in terms of design direction. I am basically the only designer there- the other works out house(which I haven't even seen). therefore, I get very little direction(from a design perspective) of improving my work.

I think that is where the problem lies. I initially thought a internship would vastly help me to improve my work from learning from true professionals with experience. Thats not to say I haven't learned anything but, I was thinking more along the lines of increasing interest and that kind of thing. Well… apparently thats not the case all around. My only direction is from someone with a marketing background and cares little about increasing interest as long as everything is easily read and a nice hierarchy is in place- which is fine but, I kinda want more- is that to much to ask or am I being unreasonable in my request?

Anyhow, Up to this point I have been working on print projects. Which is were I would like to focus. However, when if I were to come back for a paid internship I would working more on web accounts. So thats another dilema I am having. before being approached with this job I was really considering just throwing the web stuff to wind. Not That I don't enjoy it but, I am finding its better to focus one then another. Especially, considering that I seem to forget things about print when I don't work with it constantly and the same for web. So I don't really think its to benefit to be focusing on web when I rather be doing print- thoughts?- yeah, I know it will make me more marketable but, I'm not sure if thats what I want- to work with web- yeah, I know its surprising but, once I really stop to think I think its the truth.

Don't get me wrong. I would love to be a jack of all trades but, what I am finding is that when I focus one my knowledge of the other suffers and thats not something I really want to deal with. I think I much rather focus on the print aspect not necessarily forget about the web but, place it on side. However, if I were to accept this position then I would be doing the opposite. I'm not so sure whether that would be good or bad when I really stop and think about the overall picture and my future in this industry but, I don't think its what I want. Then… as we all know what you want isn't always the best thing for you and thats were I'm stuck.

In the spring regardless I plan on pursuing more creative opportunities targeting firms and agencies. However, fear that if I were to take this position and they wanted me stay… I might just for the sake of ease. When what I really want is to move on to an internship or position were I can work alongside true designers and learn from them as opposed to working as a one person show. then again I may not get that opportunity and this current position is pretty much a sure thing. I don't know… I shouldn't be thinking about all this right now considering the holidays and all but, I am. Alcohol should make it all better… at least until monday,lol.

advice, insight, comments,wisdom appreciated.

thanks

[budafist]

tZ, from what I read of yours on this forum, I really respect you as a designer. You take this business seriously and you deserve a serious design position.

I don't think you should come back to this job in January. By posting this thread with your doubts, it's obvious to me that you need to stretched creatively and really need to be challenged with a job that excites you. With your education as well as an internship, you should have be fine finding a job.

Good luck to you. I think you will go on to better things. Man I sound like a hokey gypsy woman...Now where are my scarves and bangles? ;)

If you don't believe me, at least give me credit for being from the future :D It's Thursday night here and dinner was very good. Going to have another beer now.

Alcohol is good, but it doesn't solve all your problems. Your other problems can be solved with a good feast :)

Perhaps when you are drunk later, write down a bunch of goals for yourself. Drunk people are brutally honest. Maybe your drunken goals will tell you something about yourself.

[hewligan]

Well, I don't want to shatter anyone's dreams here, but from what I've seen the overwhelming majority of junior design positions really don't involve being that creative. In fact, what you've described is very much the sort of thing most junior designers find themselves doing.

BUT, an internship is supposed to be a learning experience. That means you really want to be in a place where you'll be around other designers. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there's a lot to be learnt from being in a place where you have to do the work for real, but it would be much, much better to be in a place where you're working with other designers.

Still, getting paid is always nice...

I'm not sure what I'd do in the same circumstances. Actually, I do - but I'm very much at a play it safe point in life. Being a student is a good time to take some chances, though ;)

As to print vs web - in the modern design work market, it really does pay to know both. But, at the same time, there's still work out there for print specialists. If you're sure that's where you want to be, then I'd say go for it. But if you're not sure, then don't give up on the web. I've seen your coding skills, tZ, and you could have a great future in the field.

[budafist]

I think it's official. New Zealanders are fans of tZ! :D

[SurfPark]

Why is this even an issue? You obviously don't want to work there anymore. Quit and seek another internship. It would be stupid to stay there without learning anything.

[hewligan]

Yep, definitely.

Let's start the New Zealand tZ fan club! :D

[captain spanky]

everyone's a fan of tZ!!! :D
I too hold a lot of respect for you and feel that you've already got the 'inhouse blues'. I've been there many times. It is very difficult to find a position and role that will challenge you enough, you'll always be wanting to expand on things and see how far you can develop projects, but in the real business world, unfortunatley time and budget constraints are more important.
I know what i would do however, i'd take the place and see how it goes... do as much of the other stuff in my spare time and then see about moving on when i've got as much as i can out of that position. I know it might not seem like you'll br proactively learning anything but i've discovered that subconsciously you learn a lot through a bit of practical experience. There's nothing to say you have to stay there forever anyway, and if you feel like you do now, your gut won't let you stay there. You don't come across people like you very often who have a strong drive and desire to learn, most people seem to just be happy doing what they already know they can do... and where does that take them? nowhere. Keep your drive dude... sometime you have to take a bit of rough but you'll appreciate the smooth a lot more when you find it. :)

[senjula]

It is difficult for anyone to pursue thier dreams or true proffesional desires when the securtiy of steady pay is being dangeld in front of them. Life is about taking chances so I guess I agree with Budafist a bit on this one. Take your chances now while you can, find that which makes you happy the place you really want to be....You have a great passion for design.. I first came here to post my work and ask for critiques when really I was looking for praise....I soon learned to stop doing that. However you gave me very detailed responses which I took away with me and possitive or neagative those responses as well as with a few others moved me forward to a place and a carreer which keeps me happy.....you have a lot to offer the world of desing tZ, you are already making a differnce now :) follow your dreams...take the chance......you never know unless you try.....no sense spending time in later years wondering...... what if?

[budafist]

Excuse the tangent but I wanted to comment...

I first came here to post my work and ask for critiques when really I was looking for praise....I soon learned to stop doing that. However you gave me very detailed responses which I took away with me and possitive or neagative those responses as well as with a few others moved me forward to a place and a carreer which keeps me happy....

That was quite true of me too. I guess I was so used to everyone at gd school being so nice during group critique. Now I realise that being nice at gd school doesn't help anyone. Be critical to others and hope they are critical back. Otherwise we don't learn anything by tip-toeing around. I guess that is what is good about a forum. We don't really know each other and aren't afraid to crit honestly.

[tZ]

After thinking about I think it would be most beneficial to take the job. Not only because I will be receiving pay but, the added experience in itself is worth its weight in gold- yes? Later in march I can use the money to help me if I go out of state for an internship to a firm, agency or studio. So really, thinking about it I think I have pretty much made up my mind. I don't think I will lose any knowledge from working only one web projects because while I'm attending this paid position I will be going school also- which I get more then enough creativity and freedom(most of the time). Plus the classes will be print based. However, maybe my feelings will change over the next couple of weeks but, for right now I think it would be beneficial even thought I don't necessarily want to be there. Besides I'll actually be working on real web accounts. So once I weigh the positives over the negatives I think the positives win-out. Sometimes its best to do what you don't necessarily want to do and I think this is one of those cases.

tZ fan club,lol- you guys.girls,lol

Budafist wrote:
That was quite true of me too. I guess I was so used to everyone at gd school being so nice during group critique. Now I realise that being nice at gd school doesn't help anyone. Be critical to others and hope they are critical back.

Yeah, that is one downfall. I just had the pleasure of participating in a large group project in a class and that was mostly the case. Then when I did step up and try to emphasis the imprtance of process everyone just looked at me funny. Then I realized if they didn't want my input then I wasn't going to waste my breath. Then again… we only had a week to place together an entire marketing scheme and collateral but, still there should be a process beyond the first thing that comes to mind and copying the dimensions and design of another swatch(paper sample) book… Which is another story altogether that makes me want to drink therefore I'm going to even get into,lol