Pros and Cons of graphic design...

Riefnu · 01-13-2009, 08:02 AM

Pro: leaning more about Graphic Design makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Con: learning more about Graphic Design makes me feel fearful and cold inside.

You'll understand once a few more pros/cons come in...

**Buda** · 01-13-2009, 08:21 AM

I don't know anyone that has a ferrari. Graphic designer or not.

PrintDriver · 01-13-2009, 11:08 AM

You will get out of it 1/2 of what you put into it. (ie it's a lot of work for the return, especially in the beginning of your career.)
If you are looking to get rich, don't bet on it. Although I know many who make a darn comfortable living at it, not one owns a Ferrari. BMWs, yes, but not Ferraris.

FinnianM · 01-13-2009, 03:08 PM

If someone gets as good as ShinyBinary, is that considered "a good living"?

Dead_Pixels · 01-13-2009, 03:20 PM

You can make a real good living. But just like any other profession, you have to work hard as hell and go through hell before you get there pretty much.

My best advice, is that you always need to remember, the first few years are probably going to suck. You are probably going to be someone's work horse, cleaning up after their mistakes and doing all the grunt work while they get to do all the fun design work.

synthetik · 01-13-2009, 03:33 PM

if you're looking for riches...go to law school

design isn't about money (usually) it's about passion

mojoprime · 01-13-2009, 03:44 PM

Originally posted by FinnianM View Post

If someone gets as good as ShinyBinary, is that considered "a good living"?

it depends. nik may not be making money hand over fist, but he's probably doing pretty well. shepard fairey is as close to rockstar that we have right now in the biz, meaning that folks outside the biz know him and recognize him or his work.

i think it's like anything. you can work hard and make a good living. you can work sort of, and make a sort of living. you can bust your ass and have no life, and maybe you'll be awesome.

Ruffus CDXX · 01-13-2009, 04:06 PM

Originally posted by Dead_Pixels View Post

You are probably going to be someone's work horse, cleaning up after their mistakes and doing all the grunt work while they get to do all the fun design work.

That is exactly how my first 2 years went. Small logos but mostly grunt work. It wasn't so bad, it's like shadowing someone, you learn alot.

Dead_Pixels · 01-13-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally posted by Ruffus CDXX View Post

That is exactly how my first 2 years went. Small logos but mostly grunt work. It wasn't so bad, it's like shadowing someone, you learn alot.

I agree, it's definitely something to take in. The reason I mention it though is because so many fresh graduates or noobs in the field somehow think they are going to be art director straight out of college, and are shocked when they are doing all the crap work. And end up switching careers right away.

Which granted it has happened, I think the art director at my office was hired straight out of college, but I wouldn't hold my breath thinking that's whats going to happen.

FinnianM · 01-13-2009, 04:31 PM

Yah, i get what you guys mean. for a while now, i have been doing some "grunt work" for peoples websites, just cleaning up and de-bugging, i was also treated like trash when i had to work with a partner on web design.

Bob · 01-13-2009, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by synthetik View Post

if you're looking for riches...go to law school

design isn't about money (usually) it's about passion

From what I hear, even law school is no sure thing anymore. Unless the passion you have is for corporate law, and anyone who has that-- well, if that's what makes you happy.

"four elements ... we all need to be happy: satisfying work, the experience of being good at something, time spent with people we like, and the chance to be a part of something bigger."

I heard that yesterday on NPR's ATC program. It was a woman named Jane McGonigal, who's a consultant/futurist and in this case selling the case for American museum curators to consider adopting the online gamer model for future success. (Interesting piece. For full interview: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...oryId=99244253 )

But that list kind of grabbed me. I think it's pretty accurate-- it also explains why a lot of us are here on this forum. Whether it's looking for appreciation of what we're good at (put your hands down, please), or just hanging with people we like, it's part of our mix here. Something bigger? Man, it's always something bigger, isn't it?

PrintDriver · 01-13-2009, 04:37 PM

Who's shepard fairey?

Ruffus CDXX · 01-13-2009, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by PrintDriver View Post

Who's shepard fairey?

...and ShinyBinary.. never heard of 'em.

lucdesaulniers · 01-13-2009, 04:41 PM

First 10 years: food stamps
Next 10 years: house, Chrysler, wedding
Next 10 years: just cruising along, travel, and less work for a better income.

Pros and Cons of graphic design...

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