Taking direction...
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- carne121
...from art directors that can't design.
Anyone else have that problem?
- tkmeister0
and working with a production artist who doesn't listen...
- CALLES0
i had an art director once asking me a question about the pen tool in illustrator
- spendogg0
lol tk I was just about to say the same thing.
- lvl_130
and working with project managers that don't supply assets and fold everytime under client pressure. YES! so fun!
- gramme0
ah, I remember the gory days of working w/ project managers...
A completely superfluous job, in my opinion. I say everyone should hire more designers/ADs and let them dialogue directly with clients. Then sit back and watch things get DONE and done RIGHT.
- madirish0
dude, then you have not ever worked w/ a PM worth a damn.
i have, and i cherish their role and what they are able to do and how much better my job is, and the solution is in the end.
- tkmeister0
no fucking way. i don't ever wanna be an AD/project manager. that just doesn't work.
- ********0
trying to make designers come back to their work instead of spending their time on NT, criticizing their job
- gramme0
dude, then you have not ever worked w/ a PM worth a damn.
i have, and i cherish their role and what they are able to do and how much better my job is, and the solution is in the end.
madirish
(Jul 26 06, 11:44)a good PM is a rare find, at least in my experience. I personally prefer to have direct contact with clients...although I also prefer to work in smaller shops where the principal has no real need for project managers.
- emokid0
i can't design, take directions, follow orders or use the pen tool. however, designing "stuff" helps me pay my rent.
- Engage0
work for yourself then
- gramme0
there are only designers here, with the exception of our receptionist/bookkeeper and the principal's husband. We get things done much more efficiently than anywhere else I have ever worked.
- gramme0
*bookkeeper
- madirish0
fair enough, Matt. I too have worked in small shops but having a PM is golden. i guess it also depends on the nature of the clients and the size/scope of the projects. i typically work on very large-scale projects involving multiple groups and outlets and do take on the PM role along w/ all CD/AD needs and it is tough. there are countless days where i would do anything for the buffer a solid, competant PM brings to the situation.
- Mimio0
Yeah, If a PM can't protect the process, or communicate/translate client needs, they're just about worthless. It's better if PM's are people who were once in production or designers themselves.
- madirish0
i have worked with 2 PM's that are fantastic at what they do. one in particular, literally would have me in awe of how he was able to turn an irate, tempered, unprofessional clients on the phone to begin with, into successful, relaxed and happy ones by the end of the same call. it was literally a beautiful thing to watch how he could have the outcome be that the client thought they owned the solution and was confident in it.
- jevad0
PM's are a neccessary buffer between client and designer. A skilled PM is a valuable asset to maintaing client relationships with a company.
- gramme0
fair enough, Matt. I too have worked in small shops but having a PM is golden. i guess it also depends on the nature of the clients and the size/scope of the projects. i typically work on very large-scale projects involving multiple groups and outlets and do take on the PM role along w/ all CD/AD needs and it is tough. there are countless days where i would do anything for the buffer a solid, competant PM brings to the situation.
madirish
(Jul 26 06, 11:58)I can agree with that. As long as the PM actually understands visual communication. I guess I've just had poor luck in the past with those people.
- gramme0
I suppose I can see how some firms and agencies might need them, but I personally don't miss that layer of separation.
- GreedoLives0
We had a brilliant PM, but the boss decided she was so brilliant as to knock her up and force her to have an abortion and eventually fire her over the resulting fallout.
She's been replaced with a 26-year old music major with tattoos and aspirations to be in the next elvis costello cover band. I need out.