is this as good as it gets?
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- sb10
I have been working as a 'designer' at an advertising agency outside london for a while now and I am getting pretty disillusioned.
I love designing but this place is sucking my will to live. Basically, I am no more than a glorified 'mac monkey'. I work hard and I don't mind long hours but Im not keen on being taken for granted. Nor having to put up with account managers who have no design skills/training telling me how things should look and dealing with the bullshit company politics.
Is this what it's like at most advertising agencies or does it get any better?
`What are other peoples experiences like?
- chook0
just as bad.
if not worse.
in it for the [shit] money.
- sb100
how do you cope chook?
- chook0
newstoday.
- sb100
are you the only one in the company who feels like this or is a general concensus chook?
- reluct0
Same here. It did change around a couple of times, but they found out and kicked back twice as hard.
Find joy in the few projects that are cool and start a few "pet projects". Pet projects are the reason I still love this job.
- vespa0
Sometimes it's a case of educating the people you work with.
For example on Friday we had a Design meeting with a client which didn't go the way I would have liked. The project manager for this particular job is also the technical director, and at this meeting he started presenting the designs and suggesting changes to the client without consulting me. Decisions were being made and I was being treated like a gif monkey, even though I am an art director.
The thing is I haven't been working here long – I don't think he was trying to step on my toes, he just doesn't know that this is not right. So I tried my hardest not to be narky in front of the client and then politely requested a meeting with him afterwards, and we talked about it. I'm sure next time will be different.
It's so important to communicate if you are not happy otherwise you get frustrated and bitter. I've been that way before and it is a waste of energy.
- afriend0
get out of advertising: it's an inherently uncreative industry: time, budget and lifestyle dominate, overshadow and prevent real creativity from happening. try looking into studios that are speciailized in design, there quality comes first and you'll find yourself surrounded by likeminded people.
- Buckyball20
a similar situation here. not particularly unhappy per se, just a day in and day out pattern looming over me.
I work at an ad agency as well and have decided to switch from design to art direction. get myself away from the screen from time to time. and the possibilty of travel from time to time. getting out of the office.
bB
- Danski0
I love design. I love illustration. I love what I do. Right now I don't think I'd be comfortable doing anything else. But I hate my position. I hate being hired for my knowledge but having that knowledge ignored as soon as it becomes an inconvenience to some cappucino-addled office manager.
I have discovered, the hard way, that the job you love can still be spoilt by a place you hate. I'm getting out of here ASAP, and you should do the same thing.
- thecrab0
communication is everything
- sb100
I agree completely vespa but because of the politics here you can't bring things up without the people in charge getting defensive and thinking that you are having a go a them.
- ********0
Hey Chook, I've been working in advertising for nearly 4 years. I have worked for two companies and they are both the same - they suck you dry. I know how you feel mate.
I think its time for a drastic change, me thinks! I keen on taking a leaf our of Vinny's book and do some travelling, try something new.
- vespa0
That's hard sb10.
I've been in places like that before and had to get out. But back then I don't think I really had the communication skills to not get defensive myself, as I do get wound up if i don't feel appreciated.
Now I am in a situation where I know and the company knows I have brought good things to the company, so the technical team and project managers respect me.
So much of it is about getting on with people, then they are more willing to listen to you. I know this can be annoying when your job is to design, not be everyone's best mate, but people make time for your opinion if they like you. Simple human nature.
- ********0
I like your tips, vespa. :)
- unknown0
I read that wrong for a second there.
- unknown0
Funny how many of us creative people that hates the jobs we´re in. Was Designschool just it; the place to live out those designerdreams?
My wife is putting out a book a the subject this spring(not only on designers, but on all areas.)
For my part, I´m getting out; wanna work with my hands and feel life.
- laconic0
exactly the same, sold my soul somewhere down the road while at my current job. As far as I gather, everyone I know in advertising is going throught the same situation.
- vespa0
Cheers Dita.
And rasko, cheers to you too for thinking that my misread tips might be likeable. But you may now disengage your imagination ;)
JagdPanther, I think that design school doesn't teach us how important it is to communicate with the people we work with as well as our targeted audiences. As I'm sure your wife knows, in most industries people would acknowledge that the value of experience is often about learning how to deal with people and resolving/preventing conflict situations.
- unknown0
i was directed to this thread by jagdpanther.
i say, build monster trucks with jesse james! thats what im setting out to do.
give me a welder dammit!
- sb100
it's some comfort to know that I'm no the only one in this situation