so... What do you guys DO???

[Danger_Mouse]

Senior Designer at a sublimation company. We do mostly sport jerseys for collegate sports across the US and Canada. We also produce over 20 full color catalogues, do banners and I am in charge of the photography department where we take the shots for all our catalogues (about 100 images per catalogue).

I have to say my favorite moment was when we did the Swimsuit catalogue. We visited different modelling agencies and had the ladies come in with their bathing suits and I got to safely ask them to turn around so I could look at their bums. I think this would be the only time ever I could say that with a straight serious face and not suffer harassment reprecussions. I was giggling on the inside though, but you have to be very professional with that sort of thing. That was a fine day!

[Virgo Nightingale]

^Betcha were thinking Bow-ckicka-bow-bow...

[Creative_Mess]

Hey everyone,
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q307/creative_mess/GoodGuys1.jpg
I am also a newbie here! I am currently working as a graphic designer for an online / brick and morter auto parts accessoriy store in downtown PHX. It seems of late though im more of gatherer of pictures and data. We are currently remodeling the website and i am incharge of getting high res photos from all our vendors (approx 50000) I then analyze what i got match the pics up to part number and finally (the fun stuff) touch up, resize, and turn the not so good pic into a top notch photo graph. From time to time i also create full page magazine ads, web banners, and other types of promotional material. I love my job! which is the most important thing. I have a plan to start freelancing earlier next year to earn some side cash and hope gather some inspiration and creativity here on GDF! Thanks for havin me!
David

[Botchup]

Danger Mouse, I envy you!

So telling them to turn around so you could look at their bums, were you doing that for business or pleasure? o_0

[Danger_Mouse]

It was purely business but my colleague and I had to giggle afterwards.

[(gra-ph!c-D'sig-nah)]

Oh how I wish I could have been there with you Danger Mouse!

[gnite21]

Morea,

[Well, dang…I just saw that Morea's comments are a couple years old. Maybe this is not relevant. I'll let it stand though because I'd like some response about business papers and the way business is being done in corporate America these days.]

I posted just a bit ago to another section regarding business papers. Noticed your name again here. See you work for a company with stationery and such. So tell me…do you do much stationery printing these days? I've been told by my retired husband who worked in upper management for a large manufacturing company that NO business has stationery printed any more. They print it themselves from Word templates. They need to send a letter…they call up the template and type their letter, and send it out. Not sure how the envelopes would get printed…all in color with corporate logo and such.

I've been working for the past about 8 year in magazine design/production, and am having to design new image pieces for a small business. They've asked me to make their stationery so that they can change the phone numbers and names and such at will. I've never heard of this. Granted, I've not done commercial stationery in ages. I print my own for my own business, but hey, I'm a graphic artist…I have a MAC and the right programs…and know how to use them. This company wants their stationery in Word.

I have no idea what to do…I don't own WORD!!! Am I serious out of step with business America? Do graphic designers make their clients' stationery for the client to use on their PCs now? Are graphic artists REALLY designing with WORD and PUBLISHER?!!!

Enquiring minds…you know…

[VtImpaler]

Mmmm let me think...10 years ago i was branding cars like: drawing->scann->vectorize->export to cutter-plotter->cut on vinyl->prepare the stickers->measuring->apply on car->get the check after each month. It was ok, i was doing the whole job but i liked it a lot.
After that i worked on print, very cool Encad - smart machine.
Next i discovered the laser engraving tool - played with that 1 year.
Changed job, i worked 4 years creating shop-furniture for different firms using 3d Max.
Now i'm with Photoshop and i'm called "web-designer" in the work contract.

Oh and i repaired cars :D

[bluboobear]

I was a licensed real estate appraiser for about 5 years. Now I do real estate investing and run a small business, a beauty supply store.

I love having my own business, it's less stressful and much more enjoyable. I don't have to drive far like I did when I was appraising homes. Everyday I get to express my creativity. I create store displays and create the print work for marketing. I also redecorated the entire store on a very small budget. I'm very happy. Follow your passion!

[PIXL]

Part time college student majoring in...graphic design. :D

and part time janitor at a Food Lion.

[budafist]

WTF is a Food Lion?

[morea]

a grocery store, I believe.

[Logo-Mechanix]

WTF is a Food Lion?

The one who didn't get out of the way of the hunters bullet.:D

Please do not take anyhting I say litterally, I love all animals and only eat the ones that taste good. For the record: I have never eaten lion but hear it tastes just like chicken.

[fredrich]

Work part-time as a consultant at a mobile internet company.

[jessicam]

I do web design and Flash product demos and such in house for an electronics manufacturing company. I used to do some print there, and I still can if they would ever ask me, but they don't.

Freelance, I do Flash, logos, letterhead, business cards, print ads, email campaigns, all kinds of stuff.

[Shizelbs]

I don't do anything design-wise yet. I make my money selling drugs as a pharmacist, for now.

[mac.FINN]

^ I like that you added, "as a pharmacist" on there. Smart move. Or was that once of those *wink wink* statements?

[Virgo Nightingale]

Yeah, my eyes widened as they read the sentence till they hit the part about being a pharmacist. :D

[MikeTheVike]

I don't do anything design-wise yet. I make my money selling drugs as a pharmacist, for now.

pharmacists make a WHOLE lot more than designers, why the switch?

[Tsmalldon]

Hey,

I work as the In-house designer, production co-ordinator, print manager, marketing manager and a varietry of other things. We have 80 stores across Canada and have revenue of 55 million USD...........and Ill let you in on a little secret.......


The moneys not very good here either! Big company, Small company, no one appreciates the hard work that designers do........its very frusterating

Trevor

[budafist]

Note to self: Don't work in Cananda.

Thanks Trev.

[carter the artist]

yeah Budafist, that's good advice, since I'm sure the commute would suck everyday.

[budafist]

It certainly would. It's a 20 hour flight to and from work!

[Neballer]

I have no idea what it is I do anymore. The only thing I can tell you is that I get there on two wheels.

[Irine]

i am just a second year student. my favourise subjects are illustrations, package design typhography and Flahs. if ti`s possible i would like to work in different places to see how it is.

[tuliptree]

I am a confused person.

No really, I started out with a degree in fine art. From there I took a position doing newsletters for county government (this was back in 1994). From there I moved around a bit taking non art related positions and eventually was in a job where I hated my boss so much I quit and it luckily lead me to a position for a local humane society doing all of their newsletters and anything design related. It was a great job, it paid really bad but I loved what I was doing and that I was doing it for a cause I supported. It also introduced me into the world of the non-profit sector, and that in turn opened the door to a job at the Natural History Museum in our area, which was the best job I have ever had. I worked for Development and Membership, and they allowed me to do various design work for our department (not alot, but enough to keep me happy) there as well. Years later I became pregnant with our first daughter and I left to start my own business from home. Over the years the jobs I have taken have become more and more non-design non art related, so I am now in the process of steering my business into typesetting (long story there I won't go into it) and design (brochures and the like as I am getting more and more requests to do that type of work). I need help easing back into prepress as my skills were never fully developed and that's why I am here.

I still am a confused person though, but I like it that way.

[drawingguy]

I started out going to college for graphic design and switched to illustration after my freshman year. I spent most of my college life improving my basic "art" skills and didn't get on a computer until my senior year where I took a few classes.

After graduation I bought a G4 and sat down with a bunch of programs. I was working as a freelance illustrator, also working a full time job and trying to learn as many graphics programs as I could on my own.

Years went by doing that...

still going...

OK so I finally have a job as a Graphic Designer for a marketing company. I still do some work on the side and I always find time to at least draw, if not paint. I'd like to have my own place in the next 10 years. We'll see about that.

So what do I do? I guess I do a bit of everything.

I'm an illustrator
I'm a designer
I'm a photographer

Heck, sometimes I'm even a sculptor. (not very often though)

I think that's it.

[epot]

Great idea! I just can't stop reading these threads :)
Anyway..I am a Freelance Designer/Cab Driver Yup cab driver. Half of my week I drive cab in a small town of 33.000 in B.C. Canada. The other half I do freelance design work for a few clients in town plus several on-line clients. I enjoy designing logos, especially brainstorming concepts (when the concepts arrive) :) Not sure if I would want to do either one full time, but I do get a lot of interesting conversation and meet a lot of interesting people drivin a hack. And some of that conversation has spearheaded a design concept which wasn't there prior to that particular trip? I can't tell you how or why either?
thank you

[VerucaSalt]

I freelance a bit, but right now I'm interviewing for a full time position. So far that's going pretty well. :)

Which is good because I got laid off last week. :(

[drlew]

I went to art school studying illustration, discovered the Apple computer, Photoshop 3, Illustrator 88, and was hooked. Got into graphic design until 1995, when I came to the conclusion that the printers make all the money. Opened Noneg Press in 1995, printing business cards and postcards. 12 years later, we call ourselves HotGloss Printing, and I still run the graphics dept... I may have miscalculated the "printers make all the money" part. It doesn't seem to matter where you are in the food chain.

Presently I'm creating digital art and showing at a local gallery.

Shamless plug: check out http://hotgloss.com

[Jhihmoac]

I've designed corporate logos...business stationery...flyers...brochures...worked in various sign and decal shops (including one at a theme park)...I have also done mucho Digital Photo Retouch/Editing (things like removing blemishes from the supermodel's legs, changing nail polish colors, removing old boyfriends from beach scenes - LOL)...Right now, working in retail (freelance is too sporadic to rely on nowadays)...I've been at GD off and on for over 20 years, and when I first started, computers had a minor role in the design process...Most of it then was done on a paste-up board or drafting/drawing table, and finished four color material was done in the darkroom...then on to the printers...where the usual "miscommunication" always occured! (LOL):D

[DMG]

Still a graphic design student, going into second year in september. Really glad I did the course I love it!

[bluekivi]

Hi, Everyone.

I'm a prepress supervisor and have been in prepress for about 23 years...and counting. Did a bunch of design in the early years but I found I really sucked at it so I leaned toward the prep side of things. Look forward to helping out with technical issues and printing questions.

[budafist]

Welcome bluekivi, sounds like you will be able to inpart a lot of wisdom on prepress issues after 23 years of it! I'm 23 years old and have been working in pre press too for 2 years. Ha! you've been doing prepress for as long as I've been doing life.

[pacificg]

Hi everybody. I like to state my education first because it's kinda wacky. BA in psych. MA in public policy. PhD in Political Science (working on that right now). I've been freelancing for about seven years. Did a lot of work for the Vietnamese International Film Festival (vietfilmfest.com). Lately I've been working for my school in the Creative Services office and just got signed on as webmaster. Funny thing is we have an art school on campus yet apparently none of those folks know how to do graphic design.

Anyway, I've been doing a lot of email flyers, print flyers, brochures, trifolds, some posters, and a half dozen things I can't remember. Just got a 1/4 page ad I did for our art school printed in Art in America magazine. That was cool although it sucked when I realized that I should've adjusted the alignment on fome text. Oh, well!

It's a great job to have as a student not only because it pays more than what most students get, but also because it's a blast (better than working in the library). I've thought about even saying to hell with academics for now and just getting a full-time design job.

I'm always amazed with all the work that's out there. Makes me feel like I don't know a thing sometimes. I figure that I should just do what I do and worry about my own development lest I give myself an anxiety attack. Flipping through design annuals amazes me and freaks me out from one page to the next.

[WadeVC]

Been at this for a little more than 20 years now.
My specialty in the design arena is that of repairing photographs damaged by smoke, water, age and physical damage for insurance companies, museums/historical societies and the private sector.
I also keep busy with product packaging and business identities.

My past and current clients include:

AlpineAire Foods
Dell Computer Corporation
Universal Studios
Knotts Berry Farm
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Dorfman Pacific Inc.
McFarland Publishing
New Track Media (Sky & Telescope magazine)
Kalmbach Publishing Co. (Astronomy magazine)
International Sangyo Limited Companies
London Annuities Corporation
Harrah’s Entertainment Group
MGM Grand Properties
Las Vegas Entertainment Group
Bank of Agriculture and Commerce
ViewSonic
Beautone Specialties
Legacy Crafters
Maxwell Homes
Barnett Homes

My design projects I do on a freelance basis, while I keep busy as the lead-Prepress person for a local award-winning Lithographer the rest of the time.

[fiona45in]

Oh God This place is awesome with all great people here............ and I feel so small with so many glittering stars

[budafist]

Aren't all stars small when you view them from far away? ;)

[AD-vantage]

I started my own graphic design company in my home last spring... Was hoping to build my portfolio over the summer and be ready to giver in the fall.
Well, my portfolio is still not built and I have a steady client base.
I mostly design brochures, ad layouts, logo design, business cards, desktop publishing....
I really enjoy starting a companys look from the beginning.. new companies or companies that really need a face lift.
I have my marketing background ~ so that is very helpful.
Marketing tips for a company always leads to design work!
And a company isn't in business until they have an official business card!

I love what I do (although the print part of it can be frustrating!! especially when colors can be so different from one printer to the next!!)
But I am hoping to solve some of that by having design/print and cut all happen at home ~ for about 80% of the jobs I do! I just ordered a new cutter!! yay!!!

I have a very supportive husband and 3 kids (16, 6, 2).
I live in a small town in Alberta, Canada :)

Glad to have searched out a forum site today! Lots of wonderful information.

[budafist]

Hey AD. You can always build your portfolio with the pieces you are currently working on.

If they aren't portfolio worthy because of time and budge constraints, you can always continue working on them after they have been approved by the client to get them 100% awesome for your portfolio.

[AD-vantage]

Thanks budafist...

I think "time" is most of the portfolio issue.
I want to create something that will wow my clients ~ not just slap it together (as I have seen with some local designers).
Do you have portfolio "wow'ing" suggestions?
Maybe that can be a thread question? ~right?
Thus far, my clients have trusted my work ~ and let me do as I feel fit. Not even asked for a portfolio. It has been great.
I know I need to create one... especially if I want to do cold-calls.

Question: How do I make the posts stop going to my email address?
and how do I update my AD-vantage information? ... ie: where I am from.

Thanks ~ am I asking in the right area?

[budafist]

Thanks budafist...

I think "time" is most of the portfolio issue.
I want to create something that will wow my clients ~ not just slap it together (as I have seen with some local designers).
Do you have portfolio "wow'ing" suggestions?
Maybe that can be a thread question? ~right?
Thus far, my clients have trusted my work ~ and let me do as I feel fit. Not even asked for a portfolio. It has been great.
I know I need to create one... especially if I want to do cold-calls.

There are tips on portfolios around here, but maybe the most useful is to post your portfolio worthy work up here for some crit.


Question: How do I make the posts stop going to my email address?
and how do I update my AD-vantage information? ... ie: where I am from.

Thanks ~ am I asking in the right area?

User CP (top left corner)
Edit Options
Change the Default Thread Subscription Mode to "do not subscribe"
Save Changes
Done!

[brisA]

im a graphic/silk screen designer....
currently im the head graphic designer in a newspaper (dont like art director....its a little big for me) and a little smthng, smthng on the side..X)
in NY things arent easy...for graphic designer you have to earn your name, alot of people in the market...
I love photo retouch, I live for silk screen printing, and monotypes...
im also preparing a project with my friend in photography. well i have to admit in the press field im still learning, Quark is my Nemesis X))) lol..
but im getting the hang of it...i dont like web stuff at all, no coding, of any kind..its not my thing...Xl

[brisA]

:D im a graphic/silk screen designer....
currently im the head graphic designer in a newspaper (dont like art director....its a little big for me) and a little smthng, smthng on the side..X)
in NY things arent easy...for graphic designer you have to earn your name, alot of people in the market...
I love photo retouch, I live for silk screen printing, and monotypes...
im also preparing a project with my friend in photography. well i have to admit in the press field im still learning, Quark is my Nemesis X))) lol..
but im getting the hang of it...i dont like web stuff at all, no coding, of any kind..its not my thing...Xl

[fiona45in]

I am a Graphic Designer and design Headersn Banners Logos Avatars and Icons etc. :)

[MikeHun]

Going onto 25years Hot/Lead-Film/Stripping to the present digital age.
- Textile design (Narrow loom weaving / jaquard)
- Architectural Illustration
- Architectural scale model production
- Technical Illustration
- Newspapers
- Photography
- Graphic designer @: Ad agencies
- Design shops and marketing firms.
- Pre press offset and large format printing
- Trade show exhibits
- Production Tech and being a Production manager
- laminating and I mean the industrial type 72"
hot and cold lamination front / back 100 psi.
- web design
and now I'll be attempting motion graphics and flash
along with learning MAYA PLE

I can't get a job at the moment because I have tooo much experience.
Going to have to make work for myself, usually my freelance has gotten me
work but I've been snapped up before too long. Now I'm experiencing a protracted and prolonged stretch.

[PanicTim]

Throughout my history of work my main bread and butter has been print publication design. Weeklies and BtoB publications.

[5Notches]

Graphic Designer, print mostly has been my main profession but I kinda stumbled into a Marketing Mangerial role along with event planning and web stuff with my current employer

[Over Actor]

I'm a fulltime GD student, I'm a jack of all trades. If I have any free minute to learn something I absorb it like a sponge. I'm an ase certified auto technician, and a cobb tuner( subaru). I've been in the US Army since 1999, I was active duty Airborne Infantry untill 2005 I am now in an Army Reserve ComCam Company.

I'm more into Photography than GD but they go hand in hand. I'd Ideally like to land a Photography/Photojournalism job or a GD Job that involves photography.

[Big Gabe]

im a Correctional officer for the federal government.

I would like to freelance P/T but the local market is impossible, and the weblistings are always lowball.....to say im frustrated is marginal

[desktop]

I'm a night auditor at a hotel. It's nice. Most of the time I can "hang out" on the computer. I've done a lot of design work while "at work". Not too many jobs you can do that.

[budafist]

I'm a night auditor at a hotel. It's nice. Most of the time I can "hang out" on the computer. I've done a lot of design work while "at work". Not too many jobs you can do that.

Sweet! It's must be nice to be paid twice for 1 shift.

[Big Gabe]

i do all my web surfing and posting @work

[-dub-]

I design a Biker Rag called Freedom Roads. We are Wisconsin based. I do page layout and design ads as well. Then I do a little side work here and there.

[reuber1]

I design a Biker Rag called Freedom Roads. We are Wisconsin based. I do page layout and design ads as well. Then I do a little side work here and there.
Dude, Tomahawk Wisconsin! That's where Pickles the Drummer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickles_the_Drummer#Pickles) is from!

[carrathanatos]

I just landed my first official "web developer" job, and I'm working on creating a remake of their really really bad site.

I also do web design on the side for fun, and I'm working on a web-based application for my dad's company.

[TonyO]

HI there!

I'm new here and thought this would be a good way to introduce myself.

I work for a direct marketing through mail services, fulfillment, creative design and information services. You know junk mail..
My direct responsibilities are print on demand stuff. I do light design but mostly layout, imposition, and merging variable data to static.
Our major client is American Airlines. We print and mail their AAdavantage program brochure, luggage tags, and member cards. Kinda boring at times but where I have fun is the programing logic. I use a program called Fusion Pro that plugs into Acrobat, Indesign and Quark. Which I never used or heard of it until I started working here. I having some success with it and found myself liking it. Thats rare for me since I get bored very easily when I learn something new.

I've been reading some of the older posts and I can't help to feel I belong here.

Hope to putting up some helpful posts.

[Microswede]

I'm the new guy at my office, working as one of two designers for a national nonprofit organization. I was told I was chosen for the job (as opposed to the others who applied) for my broad range of experience and skills. I work entirely in print (brochures, posters, direct-mailers, newsletters, mags, books, bookmarks, business cards, displays, decals, fliers, pins, patches, tattoos, stickers). I also do pretty much all of the company's illustrations (which is a lot considering our focus is protecting children and animals); I get to design the company's mascots, create coloring books, put my own art on our bookmarks and such.

That pretty much covers my day more than enough; not counting the obligatory 'newbie' stuff (moving things, setting things up and breaking things down, business cards... lol). I'd like to try to get into some animation, web design, photography, and marketing while I'm here.

In all, it's just the right size of company that I can still have a lot of freedom but a good amount of structure and standards.

Oh, I also do freelance on the side. I usually keep one or two freelance projects going at any time. A nice surplus of extra income. I do have to be reminded to put work aside every now and again, though. Gotta have a life too, I suppose.

[budafist]

I work entirely in print (brochures, posters, direct-mailers, newsletters, mags, books, bookmarks, business cards, displays, decals, fliers, pins, patches, tattoos, stickers). I also do pretty much all of the company's illustrations (which is a lot considering our focus is protecting children and animals); I get to design the company's mascots, create coloring books, put my own art on our bookmarks and such.


That sounds like something I would enjoy doing too.

[longboy]

I just realized I never replied to this thread...

I'm currently the in-house Sr. Designer at a Geospatial Information company. Basically, we're one of the 2 US companies that owns/operates satellites that take pictures of Earth. Our imagery is in the news, on Google Earth, Microsoft Virtual Earth, Yahoo Maps, etc.

I do all the printed marketing pieces, including tradeshow booths, marketing collateral, shwag to handout at tradeshows, posters, calendars, printed ads, etc. The last 6 months I've been working with an outside agency to redo our corporate website. I also work closely with our webmaster, as he's got more of a programmer background, and I have the art background.

This week I'm working on online banner ads, both Flash and animated GIFs. I get to wear many hats. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it's very stressful. All in all, it's a good place to be-

[kukulkann]

Hi! I am new here, I just discovered this forum, it is so cool!
I was in my second year of graphic design in the AI here in san diego but I had to drop out because I couldn't afford it any more. I use photoshop for everything, I know it's a bad habit but I do. I used to use Corel but I bought a MAC and I cant use it anymore.
I work for a clothing store. I do all of their sale ads, I upgrade their web page, take pictures of clothes.
I dont know anything of html but I have learned a little bit with this job. Both of my parents are phoographers, I some times help them but I am a little lazy for it, I rather so all the magic in my computer...

Most of my threads I think are going to be about printing.

...and hi to everyone!!! :)

[pointclick]

Hi everyone.

I am an illustrator in Alabama. A tech illustrator to be more specific. Not exactly what I really wanna do, being that I have a degree in painting, however it pays the bills.....

[Gayle]

This seemed like as good a place as any to start posting. I've been lurking for a little while and you guys seem like a nice bunch, so I finally registered :)

I am senior instructor at a digital arts college. Our school is completely online so I do a lot of webinars and emails with students. I'm responsible for all the website design and print design, including marketing, for the school, as well.

It's pretty fun! Lots of challenges even in a single company.

Nice to meet you all!

[Red Kittie Kat]

Welcome to you both :)


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

[Kristine65]

To uncover a little more of Krissy, here's what I do...

I work in a small RSL Club (Returned Service League for non Aussies). I was a bar attendant for 12 months when the boss asked me if I wanted a permanent position doing 'computer stuff' for him. I swear, that's how he described it :D I said yes and he created a position for me in the reception area and I started doing mostly admin work and our advertising (which I brought into the 21st century lol and totally changed).

As time went by he kept asking if I could do other things like flyers and Bar posters (A4), then I was asked to do our entertainment posters (A1) and the Club's website. I've been in the position for 2 years now and I'm doing everything from our quarterly magazine to show tickets.

Last year I did an Advanced Photoshop course (tho I'd used it in a limited way for years) and a Dreamweaver course. 6 months ago I started a Graphics Design course, part time. I'm busy as hell and loven it!

When they say 'Life begins at 40!' I thought it was to make 40 something divorcés feel better but Holy 40 something, Batman... it's tr00 :eek:

[ohioguy]

I'm currently an Account Executive for a printing company. When you capitalize the first letters of your job title, it makes you sound more important. Basically I'm a sales rep. I have a design degree and my previous job was as a designer, but I'm trying to get back into it now.

[factotum218]

Keeper of Donuts and Bacon?? Uggh! My life is now complete LOL.

I started back into design about two years ago after about 5 years of "hell with it". Got discouraged for a while.

So two years ago I got a job doing part time ad design for a local paper in Cedar Springs MI, a little dot north of Grand Rapids.
Within a few months I was head of the design department, in charge of all IT, advertising scheduling and page layout. Now that I have been tinkering with CSS and Javascript for a while I am also in charge of deploying a revamped website of some sorts.

In short, I am in charge of everything involving the paper besides billing and editorials. I guess it would look good on a resume but the problem is that this is a newspaper and a small town. I'm suprised we're still in business.:o

[phoenix3d]

Keeper of Donuts and Bacon?? Uggh! My life is now complete LOL.

I started back into design about two years ago after about 5 years of "hell with it". Got discouraged for a while.

So two years ago I got a job doing part time ad design for a local paper in Cedar Springs MI, a little dot north of Grand Rapids.
Within a few months I was head of the design department, in charge of all IT, advertising scheduling and page layout. Now that I have been tinkering with CSS and Javascript for a while I am also in charge of deploying a revamped website of some sorts.

In short, I am in charge of everything involving the paper besides billing and editorials. I guess it would look good on a resume but the problem is that this is a newspaper and a small town. I'm suprised we're still in business.:o

I admire all of your graphic designers-- it can be called artist, right? so honorble occupation.

Someone said this to me before:

People say there is no difference between COMPLETE & FINISH.
But there is a difference.

When you love the right one you are COMPLETE.
&
When you love the wrong one you are FINISHED!

and i think this is correct for choosing your career... so all of yours are COMPLETE.

[plokivos]

ha, found this. that's cool what everyone is doing. It's nice that not everyone is doing the same thing on this forum, yet we love doing what we do... sorta. lol

I'm a Sr level graphic designer at an international Engineering firm. I try to bring some fun into the boring world of engineering, and all the cliches about the engineers are true.

I graduated from RISD about 7 years ago as an Industrial Designer, but I hated doing ID. I really want to paint, but I just didn't want to be starving artist. That and I love driving and riding my moving thingies too much (my YZF R6 and S2000). So here I am slaving away doing graphic design for the last 6 years or so. but the pay is good, benefits good, and it beats doing other desk jobs.

If you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask, as long as it's not about lending you money because I don't have any. :p

[ml_grafix]

I have been in biz for 12 years. Worked for corporate world but now in education. Work for area college in graphics department. Moves very slow and very laid back. I also do freelance work and that can be very challenging cause as you all know... PEOPLE DONT WANT TO PAY what we are worth! At least not in my area!

[leoisillon]

I am an administrative assistant for now, I'm hoping to become a professional web designer one day. I'm trying to begin freelancing.

[Pointyhat]

Hi Guys, I guess I've never introduced myself. I'm a graphic designer in MA. I work full time in a small print shop, designing and prepressing for digital copiers and a small 2 color Ryobi offset. I also work part time at a magazine designing ads for a 4 color glossy magazine. Also resizing submitted ads, prepressing and lots of 4 color scanning. After the magazine is put to bed it's time to start the online ads for the magazine's website.
Then I have my own freelance clients, a lot of non-profits where I do posters, ads, brochures, newsletters, you name it.
Then I go out and play :D

[Gloryrose]

Interesting threads where is everybody now?
http://www.chelseawebworks.com
Ok put in my link so can say I am working but would like some links to see others works.

[budafist]

Interesting threads where is everybody now?
http://www.chelseawebworks.com
Ok put in my link so can say I am working but would like some links to see others works.

We have a portfolio thread (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27667) you might just need to see.

[akiger]

I'm the designer for a worldwide tack & vet supply company. (horse stuff) Until they hired me, they would either farm their stuff out to really, really poor design houses or they would <<cough cough>> do it in-house.

Let's just say that I have my work cut out for me. I primarily work from home on my MacBook Pro... and go into the office to move my work to the server a couple of times per week. Right now I'm redesigning a 200 page product catalog from scratch.
With a tight deadline.
An horrid images that need to be reshot...

Sometimes I wonder why I'm doing what I'm doing. I love the company though and eventually we'll have all brand new marketing stuff. :D

I also freelance when I have time. I do stuff for the National Park and other random clients. All print... no web.

Andi

[Hányoh]

i work as a graphic designer for a language project here on six nations indian reserve .. basically from the 100s of years it took to destroy our languages i'm here putting them in a format kids now-a-days can understand and learn from .. as well as providing resource and materials for teachers and schools .. maybe one day my efforts will pull the language out of extinction .. ever deal with a dying language .. sucks ass ..

besides that i started a magazine with a friend .. Redskin magazine .. basically a native maxim .. i retouch hot girls and sometimes take pictures ..

and besides that i also do freelance work ..

thats me

[Tikamars]

I really don't know what my title is here! I am Manager/Supervisor of the Art Department at an offset printing company. By Art Department, I mean graphics AND pre-press. I handle all the design work and the pre-press aspect of it all. I try very patiently to work with customer files. Ya know, the ones that come in and say "I have designed it all for you at home, in Publisher...didn't I do a great job?"
(smiles and walks back to her office to bang head on monitor!!!)

[budafist]

I really don't know what my title is here! I am Manager/Supervisor of the Art Department at an offset printing company. By Art Department, I mean graphics AND pre-press. I handle all the design work and the pre-press aspect of it all. I try very patiently to work with customer files. Ya know, the ones that come in and say "I have designed it all for you at home, in Publisher...didn't I do a great job?"
(smiles and walks back to her office to bang head on monitor!!!)

Hey! Me too!

[urstwile]

I think the appropriate terminology is "head-desk". :D

[Deziner88]

I am a Graphic Deziner (LOL - that funny second word is what the personalized plates on my Tahoe say...) at a printing company in South Dakota. I design whatever the sometimes (most of the time?) crazy customers ask me to: anything from business cards to billboards. I also help with catalog design and layout for our marketing division for part of the year. We have a hotel/franchise supply division as well. All of us are ALSO prepress people as well. (There are 5 of us in the department who are designers/prepress.) I've been a "deziner" for over 13 years.

PS - Whoever created Publisher should be tarred, feathered, drawn, quatered and then burned at the stake.

[Nia]

Im still a student designer, aiming for the stars, and not getting there quick enough. My day job is boring, demoralising, and just plain nasty (customer services) but when i get home at night, i get stuck into my college work, and instantly, my glass is full again!! roll on September, Im sick of the holidays allready!

[scottperezfox]

I'm a designer/art director concentrating on brand identity and packaging. Unfortunately, at the moment I'm freelancing until I can find a full-time role.

[fasterdammit]

I'm the only web person for a single 500-bed hospital in central NY. I own our sucky public website (which is currently getting tossed in the circular file for a whole brand new shiny website), along with the intranet, the SharePoint services, all the web-based applications (including the textbook what-not-to-do apps I inherited w/ the job), most of the SQL server stuff and a whole host of other things I can't think of at the moment.

I do side work too; but I don't actively persue it too often. I used to teach web design & development at a local community college too.

And once in a while I do studio guitar work or sit in with friends. Mostly what I like to call call indulgent guitar music, but more like free-form jazz improv. ("It's a new form of music that mixes jazz and funk; we call it junk!")

But I'd entertain being a professional motorcycle racer too.

[Warnio]

I'm on my second day of freelancing (after 17 years of working for somebody else). I do jobs for print and web. My clients are a city bus RTA, a city-development partnership, and a promotions company (with a long list of clients).