Jr. Horror Stories!!!
Out of context: Reply #8
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- Point50
Basically, fuck being a "Jr.". I got out of college and landed a job on my 2nd interview, out here in Vegas no less (the design scene was pretty horrible out here back in '98). I started out getting paid $19K/yr. at the hottest studio in Vegas at the time, complete with brand new Addy awards in the front reception area. I found out quickly that I was a production artist, for the principals (there were 3 of them in a 7 person shop... too many cooks in the kitchen maybe?), let's call them Larryy, Moe & Curly, always shot down my ideas in creative sessions, then would end up utilizing my ideas as their own weeks later after the client rejected their "genius comps". In week #3, my business cards arrived and I was so excited, but when I opened them and read that my title said "Jr. Designer", I walked right up to Moe and said "Why do my business cards say Jr. Designer; why can't I just be Designer or Graphic Degisner or something" and Moe says "Hey! You gotta pay your dues bro!" and chuckled as I walked away... That night I threw all 1,000 of those cards into the trash can.
Then it only got worse. I was at work until 5am on several occasions as the Principals went home at 10pm, I didn't get any type of raise after my 3 month review, etc. etc. etc.
Curly ended up leaving and getting "bought out" of his share of the company, I quit at the 11 month mark, and the company went tits up a year later. Larry and Moe deserved that shit. They were some staright up assholes. Every day I held myself back from wanting to throw those fuckers out the front window, and I am fully capable of said feat.
But I walked with 2 good things:
1. Experience. I got to work on some decent casion pieces (that phrase in itself is an oxymoron most of the time), and I walked away from there knowing what type of company I would not ever work for again.
2. A fantastic relationship with a gentleman by the name of Scotty Wizell. This man was my mentor for the my first 5 months at "said company" before he quit to move on, and an inspiration to me well after he left. His work was just amazing; I idolized so much of what he did. Scott moved to Seattle two years ago and passed away last year due to a heart attack while skiing. RIP Scott Wizell.
So basically, fuck a Jr. title. You had better be getting treated really well if you're getting tagged with that bullshit, degrading name. Being young and overly creative, you are an important asset to that company. If your cards say "Jr." on them and it's not part of your birth name, enjoy recycling that shit so that they can be put to better use.