Wow, what a great forum! Its good to see so many other people with a passion for design but so sad to see that so many of us have no respect for what we do.
I'm a graphic designer with 15 years of experience and a BFA in design. I've advanced to the level of art director. I've worked in the corporate world for most of my career and I know exactly how you guys feel about the lack of respect--indeed, its often DISrespect--towards our work. Nobody tells you in school what this career will be like--if they did, everyone would switch majors. What other careers do you spend four years in school for, only to have people in totally unrelated fields tell you how you could do your job better?
People have told me repeatedly not to take it personally when someone comes into my office and says 'ewwwwww who chose this paper--its SO unprofessional!' Um, yes that would be ME, thanks! (This was after choosing a paper that had a small speckle in it for stationary. It was beautiful stock). Or don't feel bad when someone says 'let me lay it out instead. I know what I want'. This of course produces something dreadful done in Word, and yes, they are happy with it, but they have effectively cut me out of the entire project and I am supposed to be fine with that? I take pride in what I do and doing this kind of stuff to me makes me feel just awful.
Do I walk into the accountants office and tell him how he could do his job better? Do I go down the hall and tell the company lawyer how to practice law? Why is it okay for people to do this to us? If I protest, I am labelled 'difficult'. When I say nothing, I
hate myself and my job. After several positions, I began to realize it is the CAREER, not the particular workplace, and it ain't gonna change.
So I went back to school and am halfway through my Master's degree in Social Work. Maybe I can give burned out designers some good therapy
Actually, I plan to go into private practice and work with troubled teenagers. While they might not be appreciative all the timeeither, I at least know that my dedication is meaningful. I will probably do some design on the side but I will pick and choose what I do.
Thanks for listening to me vent! [img]/emoticons/frusty.gif[/img] If you want to see any of my current work, check out www.besthealthplans.com
I'm a graphic designer with 15 years of experience and a BFA in design. I've advanced to the level of art director. I've worked in the corporate world for most of my career and I know exactly how you guys feel about the lack of respect--indeed, its often DISrespect--towards our work. Nobody tells you in school what this career will be like--if they did, everyone would switch majors. What other careers do you spend four years in school for, only to have people in totally unrelated fields tell you how you could do your job better?
People have told me repeatedly not to take it personally when someone comes into my office and says 'ewwwwww who chose this paper--its SO unprofessional!' Um, yes that would be ME, thanks! (This was after choosing a paper that had a small speckle in it for stationary. It was beautiful stock). Or don't feel bad when someone says 'let me lay it out instead. I know what I want'. This of course produces something dreadful done in Word, and yes, they are happy with it, but they have effectively cut me out of the entire project and I am supposed to be fine with that? I take pride in what I do and doing this kind of stuff to me makes me feel just awful.
Do I walk into the accountants office and tell him how he could do his job better? Do I go down the hall and tell the company lawyer how to practice law? Why is it okay for people to do this to us? If I protest, I am labelled 'difficult'. When I say nothing, I
hate myself and my job. After several positions, I began to realize it is the CAREER, not the particular workplace, and it ain't gonna change.
So I went back to school and am halfway through my Master's degree in Social Work. Maybe I can give burned out designers some good therapy
Actually, I plan to go into private practice and work with troubled teenagers. While they might not be appreciative all the timeeither, I at least know that my dedication is meaningful. I will probably do some design on the side but I will pick and choose what I do. Thanks for listening to me vent! [img]/emoticons/frusty.gif[/img] If you want to see any of my current work, check out www.besthealthplans.com
he he )
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